Sharing our life - all our adventures and bumpy rides. Family of four with two young boys - moved back home to allow them the similar experiences and opportunities we had living in North Carolina. Come explore with us!
The Wednesday before Christmas, we went to see Santa at Bass Pro!
Surprised to see no plexiglass this year, but it was regulated - only allowed so many to reserve a time in a 30 minute block. No play rifles or Lincoln logs or letters to Santa either. We had the boys take off their masks just to talk to Santa.
All decked out in their gear and mini candy canes in their hands! Brock found the perfect toy for Moose too!
The boys followed their Daddy as he shopped for vacuum seal bags!
A family picture!
Later that day, it was time for Gingerbread house decorating!
Kade is too funny with the facial expressions!
Brock was getting a little frustrated with the icing. It IS very tricky to try to decorate something that is standing upright!
After decorating houses, Brock helped me make pizzelles! He especially loved shaking the powdered sugar on top! I had to let my Italian mastiff try one of my Italian cookies! (He very much approved!)
I had an urge to take the boys ice skating. They have never been - which pooh on me for that! Let's mask up and go!
They were both really excited and asked a million questions. After tying all six skates, we were ready! The boys didn't understand why we should take hats and gloves, but they soon figured it out!
After the zamboni cleaned the ice, we were ready to go; and that's when Kade got a little nervous and didn't want to step foot on the ice. Finally we were all on - the boys holding on for dear life on the railing.
Just a short time later, Brock really figured out his balance. I was so impressed with what he was pushing himself to do! Here's a video from the "middle" of our hour session.
Unfortunately, I did not get a video of Brock from the end - but I was so impressed with him. He was really leaving the railing alone and moving around without it! So so happy!
Kade would not let go of the railing unless I was holding his hand - and then I was holding him up and making sure he wouldn't fall! I tried coaxing him off the wall, but he would not budge!
Kade, my silly guy - making a pose to wait for the skaters in front of him. Also of note - ice skating was like riding a bike for me! I did great - lots of backwards skating to get those videos and I did not fall down once! :)
Christmas craft time! Brock picked out these Christmas-themed painting canvases at Michael's - I think he quickly realized how time consuming these were. They took two days to finish them. :)
It was a little cooler that day - they had the heater out there too!
I think the boys did a great job and worked really hard on them!
This was Kade's first time competing in a swim meet and he was ready! He's waiting behind the block on lane 3 (from the left).
Kade's 25m freestyle video - he ended up placing 2nd in the event! Woohoo! Not bad for his very first time!
And then his 25m Backstroke!
Brock's turn!
Brock did a great job in his Butterfly!
I'm going to sneak this in here too - Kade had to give a final presentation for his "Technology Wizards" elective - using Google slides to talk about himself. He showed it to us later that evening at home, but these are some shots the teacher sent during class.
My review - I love that he searched for a random picture of his teacher's name (and uploaded a random lady in his presentation). The only times he's had soda is with his Shirley Temples and those are very few. And typical Kade to throw Brock under the bus.
Thursday night, the boys had Carolina Hurricane hockey tickets. Brock was assumed to go, but when it came time for hockey night, he backed out - and Kade was all about going to the Star Wars themed night!
The boys had fun - good seats, good French fries - Kade was happy!
Alas, 7pm start time is a bit late for my early riser. I think they made it through the second period and then headed for home.
Kade was very excited to show off their matching Hurricanes/Star Wars shirts! They say "Take Warning!"
Saturday, December 18th was TAC's Jingle Bell Meet. Papa came to cheer Brock on too!
Brock getting ready for his big swim!
He secured a nice First Place finish!
Even received some fancy ribbons for his swim meet! 100m IM, 50m Free, 50m Fly.
The following day, these special ladies and I met up for brunch at the Refectory Cafe in Durham. It was so nice to see everyone after a loong time (pre-Covid)! These are all high school friends - except Michelle - but she married one of our high school friends, so it counts. ;)
Vanessa, Helen, Michelle, Jill, Darcy
Helen and I had so much fun we had to continue the party - we gathered the boys together for one giant hang-out session!
I had a really nice helper this year to help decorate for Christmas! He even helped carry the "smaller" Christmas trees down the stairs and set them up all by himself!
Yup, that Elf is back too......
The boys wrote their letters to Santa early this year so they could deliver in the mailbox straight to the North Pole! They even received a reply back!
Second weekend in December, we trekked down to Charlotte for a weekend visit at Brian & Nancy's! My Dad and Phyllis came too - so we had a full house. It was so very nice to all be together.
On Saturday, we needed to get out of the house a bit and let the boys run around, so we hit up a local playground. It looks like the boys weren't the only ones getting in on the fun!
After a nice lunch, the boys were back outside playing soccer in the driveway. Brian was goalkeeper for the other side - or protector of Dad's vehicle!
Brian treated us all to an amazing steak dinner - and Nancy outdid herself with the mashed potatoes. So flavorful! :)
After dinner we surprised the kids with presents - I think Kade exclaimed "What? We're getting presents too??"
Nancy is nine months pregnant, so even though it was convenient not to be traveling, it was much appreciated for her to welcome her rambunctious nephews and the rest of us into her home! That last month is tough of sleepless nights - I remember them fondly.
Unfortunately this is the best "group picture" I've got. It does showcase a bit of Brian & Nancy's gorgeous kitchen and family room!
I think these boys played hard that weekend with their cousin.... and were up very early!
Lastly, I wanted to add a few pictures of the Rosenfeld Family's holiday picture shoot of their gorgeous custom house and their growing family!
