Sunday, December 28, 2014

December!

Lawd. December just flew by. Like, if I didn't have pictures, I could have missed it. :/

We stayed busy, as usual. The boys had several 4H activities (a movie night for the wee one, an overnight lock-in for the eldest and some community service opportunities) and we had our normal holiday madness. Let's see if I can touch briefly on a few things...

At the beginning of the month, we went back to the Atlanta History Center to learn a little bit about the holidays and their history. A teeny little bit, lol. We were hoping for more in-depth information, but it wasn't quite as expected. Not bad, though, and a good time was had.

Some decorations outside the Swan House.

Bailey asked for this for Christmas. :D

My boys and Z. 

Gathering wood for the kitchen...

Really cool, old and giant sized, dutch/campire ovens.

A little woodworking class...
The boys also had a chance to make their own candles by dipping wicks in wax and water, repeatedly.




Nope. Not gonna remark on any of their shapes. :D

What else? Oh! We got new stairs for our back porch. Why is this remarkable? Because we have been barely avoiding traumatic injury for years. Between broken steps, and loose steps/rails, going up and down the stairs had become a strategic obstacle course, lol. Thanks to Tracy and her dad, and help from their family, we got some beautiful stairs put up in no time!







There was also a trip to Six Flag's new Holiday in the Park. It was fun to ride a couple of the rides in the winter, and to see the lights. I did take some pics, but to be honest, my internet connection SUCKS (looking at you, Windstream) and I still have other pictures to upload. Just imagine a theme park. With lights. ;)

Christmas festivities went well. We've had celebrations with my family, at home and with friends. Due to work schedules, we are having a celebration with my in-laws in a couple of weeks.

My sweet niece. 

Youngest nephew. Totes adorbs. ;)

Braeden is very happy about the Dancing Groot that Bailey got him, lol.

Braeden and the trench coat he asked for. Goofy kid. :D

Bailey and his new coat. 

The hubs and his new porkpie hat the boys and I found for him. 
This week we are getting ready to ring in the new year, get back into the school thing, and for me to start full time at the tax office. Can't believe it's that time already. Ugh. The boys aren't lamenting the school thing too much, thankfully. They've enjoyed their break and know they have to find their groove again. In their downtime, Braeden has been doing a little math from last year's fourth grade homeschool curriculum, because he's finding that he's struggling with the 5th grade stuff. I think it's cool that he can drop back down and practice. Usually tax time is when they have the most time to blow through their online lessons because our extra activities are cut back so much. I'm expecting this year to be no different.

What else?

Fitness update? Okey dokey. :D I will be ending 2014 55 pounds lighter than when I started it! I am so damn happy about that, and really proud of myself. I know, sounds pompous. But I am. And to know that I have done it without pills, chemicals, or dieting. Simply making better (and new life-long) food choices and getting off of my butt. I completed the entire Couch-to-5K program, and I'm looking forward to starting it over, challenging myself even more. It's been an awesome journey so far, and I'm looking forward to what 2015 brings me. I really haven't done a before and after thing yet, and this isn't an official one, but I am sharing a pic from last Christmas, with a couple from this Christmas, just for a visual aid.




I know these aren't the greatest, but you can see what I'm so happy about. It's one thing to say I've lost 55 pounds and 3 sizes, but to SEE it...pretty outstanding. :D

Gah. I'm so scattered. I do have one request from everyone. One of our furry babies, Moose has heart worms. We are treating him, and the injections and the recovery period can be pretty scary. He's having the first injection this Tuesday. We love all of our doggies, but Moose definitely holds a special place in all of our hearts. If you'll keep him in your thoughts/prayers, and send well wishes for a successful treatment, we would greatly appreciate it.

Okay. If you've made it this far, bless you. It was a long one, lol. I hope you all had an amazing holiday season, and that your 2015 starts off safely, happily and is full of promise.