14 Years...and counting.

Joey and I celebrated our anniversary on the 22nd. It's always a little crazy and busy just before Christmas but we managed to slip away to a nice dinner.  It was fun to just talk together and enjoy one another's company.  We found ourselves reminiscing about the wonderful years we have had and counted our blessings.  We recognized how much we have grown and been strengthened.  It is the best part of my life to be on this journey with someone I love and trust so much and that we are journeying together with faith.  I'm so lucky to have married such a wonderful person.  I just like him.

Babies!

One of the highlights of Christmas this year was 2 new babies.  Becky and Terry had little Charlie just before Thanksgiving and Nate and Dianna had sweet little Leah just after.  I could not get enough baby snuggles and I was a very happy Auntie.  The girls loved their new cousins and it added much fun and excitement to our time with family.  There was lots of hand sanitizing and my girls got to experience a little "newborn-ness."

Christmas Break

We spent pretty much the whole Christmas break in Folsom.  We seemed to have a hard time keeping everyone entertained.  Maybe it's because my kids are getting older, or I wasn't feeling that great, or they weren't feeling that great either.  They all caught a Christmas cold.  We did fit in some fun things though.  We took the girls bowling and Dianna came along with her kids.  My girls had never been bowling except for on the Wii.  FYI.  Real bowling is much different and harder than Wii bowling.  The girls did their best and Joey was very busy being a fun Uncle and helping Luke and Noah.  Luke was mostly interested in the ball coming back in the return.

Nate wanted to take everyone on a little hike near the lake.  My kids were all reluctant, but they went.  It was cold and muddy and I sat on a cold rock when I felt like my body needed a rest and waited for everyone on their way back.  It was a beautiful day though and I think in the end everyone had a good time.

My mom had all the grand kids over and they decorated Gingerbread houses.  

I took the girls to get their nails done on Christmas Eve afternoon.

And of course we saw Star Wars.  Loved it.

Abby's Recital

I am teaching 6 piano students now and Abby is one of them.  I held a Christmas recital in December but didn't take any pictures.  After we got home, Abby sat at the piano and did a pose for me.  She wanted to document her first piano recital in some way.  She played "Ode to Joy" and "Jingle Bells."  I was proud of each of my students.  They are all young beginners and they did so well.  For everyone, it was their first recital.

Christmas 2015

The problem with being out of town for almost two weeks at Christmas is that it gets hard to write about all of the things that went on.  When Becky and Terry said that they were going to my parent's for Christmas this year, we thought it would be fun to go up too and be there.  I don't really like a super quiet Christmas.  At least on Christmas Eve.  I'm so used to the boisterous Boyce family gatherings we had on Christmas Eve when I was growing up.  I miss them.  Their new baby, Charlie, is absolutely adorable and we were just in love with him already.
On our way we took a detour to Standford to visit Grandpa Jerry.  He had just had a liver transplant.  We are so grateful for this miracle that can prolong his life.  It is amazing what medicine can do these days.  He is mostly recovering well and he has been in good spirits.  I cry just thinking about what an amazing miracle it has been.

It was a quick visit and we wanted to make it to my parent's in time for the Pebley Family party that we haven't been able to go to for years.  It was at my mom's house this year, so all we had to do was show up on time.  We left the Bay Area at 2:30 and didn't arrive at my parent's until almost 8.  Traffic was terrible.  So, after a long and tiring day of driving we made it in time. In time for some food, singing, and the Nativity.  It was fun to see some of my cousins that I haven't seen in a while and to see how much their kids have grown.  It is sometimes surreal to sit and observe my family doing these same traditions that I did as a little girl.  I remember how childhood felt for me and it boggles my mind sometimes to think of my kids going through those same experiences I went through and also different ones.

On Christmas Eve we sang songs to the guitar.  My girls played the piano and sang.  We laughed, ate Chinese food, and enjoyed being together. We didn't get up too early on Christmas morning,  Probably because as soon as we get to my parent's bedtime is always pushed to a far later time.  It's hard with family coming and going and Joey and I would rather sit and enjoy the company rather than get kids ready for bed.  This year, just like last, the girls asked Santa for 4 things: Something I want, something I need, something I'll wear, and something I'll read.  It helped to not have presents too out of control.  They also have generous grandparents and their stockings were filled with little surprises.  I think the biggest hit for Sammie and Abby were the walkie talkies in their stockings.  They opened their "Sister exchange" gifts on Christmas Eve and the Pajama Elf left some new pj's for everyone.

 I love this time of year and the excitement and also the reverence that I feel.  I've been having a hard time lately dealing with some aspects of my illness that I still have troubles from.  Christmas helps me to keep things in perspective and I felt a gentle encouraging to keep going, things will get better.  I am so incredibly blessed to have these wonderful people in  my life.

Christmas "Rappers"

The first grade puts on this cute Christmas performance each year called The Littlest Christmas Tree.  Abby's class were the Christmas "Rappers" and performed this hilarious rap.  Abby absolutely loved it.  There were so many people in the room as always and Abby was so sad thinking that we wouldn't be able to see her.  I assured her that if we sat on the side then I could stand up against the wall and get a good look at her.  When they first came out, Abby looked a little sad until she saw me standing to the side.  She perked up and this Christmas Rapper put on quite the performance.  Then this morning she woke up with the flu.  Poor thing.  I think we are destined to get sick every year at this time.

Her teacher took these adorable pictures when they did their performance during the day for the kids at school.  Abby is in the back middle with long hair.

I tried to snap a few, but I was just too far away to have anything turn out.  She's the one in braids.

Christmas Piano Recital

Sammie and Olivia both did a great job at their recital.  I think Joey did too,  He may not have slept through as much of it this year as he did last year.  Improvement. Olivia played "The Christmas Song" and Sammie played "Holly Jolly Christmas."  I love hearing my kids play the piano.  Over Thanksgiving break, I never told anyone to practice and the piano just didn't get played over the break.  When we got back into a routine and Sammie was practicing again, I realized how much I missed the sound of the piano in our home that week.  Sammie really loves to play.  It comes pretty easy to her.  It is definitely more of a struggle for Olivia.  She is really good at sitting down and making up her own little songs, but when it comes to practicing and learning her songs, it gets a little harder for her.  I always love to see her pull through and learn a song really well and when it comes down to it, she performs really well at her recitals.

We the People

Joey has been busy this year coaching the "We the People Team."  His team won their district and regional finals.  Next, they will be competing at State in February.  The kids he is working with are determined to do well.  I'm so happy for Joey.  He was a little nervous taking over this program because they are expected to do well.  The program has so much support each year and the coaching part is really a team effort.  Joey couldn't have done it without the great help that he had and without his snazzy new suit too.  But I must say, he is relieved.