February snow storm and Benny

In late February we were faced with the a decision of taking in a student from the middle school as a foster child. To make a long story short Shane and I made the decision overnight that we would be picking Benny up on Friday after school to come and live with us for a undetermined time. It ended up that he was able to move back with his family after a week with us but we were prepared to have him through the end of the school year if needed. The kids warmed up to him the 1st night and we felt like a family of 5 very quickly. It was hard to see him go but we are thankful that, that is where he wanted to be and we didn't have to get too attached knowing it would have been harder to see him go months later. Kendall still talks about him and she would get to see him when she came to school with me here and there. During the week that he was here, we got a big snow storm and school was canceled for 2 days.

Christmas Break

We got some snow over Christmas break, Shane had basketball of course, and cousin Drew came to visit. We feel so lucky to have 2 weeks off of work around the holidays to spend with the kids and relax before getting back to school in January.

Christmas Night

Christmas night was spent with the Stacy's; Grammy, Papa, Tia (Aunt Erin), Jonathon, and cousin Derek. We hoped the kids held up with all the attention and gifts doing all three celebrations in 1 day but they managed and then by 10:00 that night Kendall was hit was the flu.

Christmas Afternoon

We spent Christmas afternoon with my family. It was fun for our kids to have to share Christmas with a cousin for the 1st time.

Christmas morning

Just the four of us had a low key morning opening gifts. Zak got into it more than I thought he would. I remember wanting Kendall to go put on some pajamas so all of our pictures didn't turn out with her in her underwear but Shane told her she could wear whatever she wanted to :) It was Kendall's last morning opening the advent calendar (next year she will have to share with Zak) and the night before we also said good bye to "Snow Fairy" (Elf on a Shelf) until next December.

Getting ready for Christmas

I felt like I had a hard time getting in the Christmas spirit this year. I wasn't in a hurry to get a tree and wasn't very motivated to get my shopping done. I think I just felt so busy between Shane's bball season and work that I was overloaded. It is so much fun as as the kids get older to have traditions. We went to the tree farm and got our tree as well as made Christmas cookies. By the time I was off work for Christmas break I was into the festivities and getting excited for the kids for Christmas to come.

December snow

Our last day of school before Christmas break was cancelled because of snow. We had fun out in the snow but didn't quite have the right clothes for Zak. We got the skis out for Kendall to try so Shane pulled her around the yard.