We are here...

Hello New Year!

 I was going to write this 30 days ago but the New Years gave us a big kick. Any new years resolutions or goals have trickled away already to a new less glamorous goal. I may be setting the bar low but here it is

Surviving

Now I am not talking about just getting through but getting through it happily. Maybe a better way to say it is

Thriving while surviving.

So to January

In the death of our neighbor you showed Ryan and I what truly matters in the end. We saw the family this man left behind and the strength that came from the strong, happy and funny father that had lead them for years. We saw the tears break way to small smiles and laughs as they remembered and mourned him. We are thankful for the strengthening of friendship that this event has caused.

In the sickness that has rocked this house we have been forced to slow down. to hug more and hurry less. It forced us to finally talk about and get creative with solid family time during the week.

So there you go January not only did we survive but I think we even thrived!
Next post some of the high points from this month!

Trip to Oklahoma

On December 25 we packed up the car and drove to the airport. We hopped on a plane and landed in Oklahoma.

Returning home is always chaotic because well it is not "home" anymore but there is still an emotional pull to the place.

The week was packed full! I was so busy doing things that the pictures are scarce.

We exchanged gifts.

ate tex-mex

went to the zoo

snuggled with grandma and grandpa

looked at the tornado damage with my aunt

wrestled with cousins

stayed away from said cousin who came down with the flu.

had our own tummy aches.

went to an OU women's basketball game

rented a movie and ate pizza in our hotel room

had a new years fondue lunch

Rang in the New Year with a friend from high school

snuggled on gram and grump

watched frozen ( I laughed, I cried, I LOVED it)

shopped with grandma (I got $600 of Columbia gear for $160 oh yeah)

snuggled on Everett

ate at a German restaurant

and soooo sooo much more all in 7 days!

(Rock paper scissor, Spock)