December Memories

It's a Monday afternoon, and I should be working. Technically, I am off of work on Mondays, but I often use my Monday's as a cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking, laundry, working out, organizing and catching up day around the house kind of day. Especially, knowing that I will get a lot of 1:1 play time with the kids during the upcoming week, as Kyle works most evenings and this upcoming weekend. Instead, I am sick with the stomach flu. Aside from getting the kids off to daycare and doing a few loads of laundry, I have been in bed trying to nap and sipping on ginger ale.

One of my New Years resolutions is to blog more often, but the nights go by so quickly! I truly love this stage of life. We are thankful for our 2 healthy, active kids. I love our laid-back mornings letting the kids be my alarm clock, eating breakfast together, and watching Sesame Street. Our evenings fly by as I try to make a point of putting a homemade meal on the table, enjoy some more play time, and bathe both kids each night. I love rocking Macey to sleep each night and reading a few Bible stories to Micah before he falls asleep. By the time that Kyle and I (or just I on evenings that he works) finish cleaning up the kitchen it's nearly time for an episode of House Hunters before falling asleep.

Now that I'm trying to rest up before the evening routine begins, my options include watching TV or online CEU's for work or catching up on some much needed blog updating!

Our immediate Raadt family was able to enjoy a great December together. The month began with Kyle and I going on a last minute cruise to the Bahamas. We both had the week off of work several months ago, and were planning to do a Winona "staycation". When my parents found out about our plans, my mom insisted we go somewhere warm. So, 2 weeks prior to leaving, we found a great deal on a 5-day Bahama's cruise.

Our boat - Royal Caribbean, Enchantment of the Seas

One of the many fabulous meals onboard

We seriously used the Cruise to relax and enjoy some time alone together. We sat out on the deck or beach a lot, I read 2 books, we used the work out center, swam, enjoyed all of the wonderful food and drinks, and took in the entertainment offered by the Cruise each night. There were a lot of other couples our age on the cruise.

The weekend that we got back, we decorated for Christmas, and Micah and I tested out a new cut-out cookie recipe.

The kids' daycare/preschool had their Christmas program in mid-December. Both kids did awesome. Micah was a lamb and was happy to stand up with his friends and perform his songs. Macey rode in on a wagon with her friends.

Macey tried to climb out of the wagon when she saw Micah

Micah and Macey's Grandparents came over to Winona for their Christmas program, and afterwards we all had dinner at our house. We attempted to get a few Christmas pictures, but the kids were clearly not interested!

We've used our sled a few times this past December.

On December 23rd, Kyle and I took the kids up to the Macy's display in downtown Minneapolis. The kids did great considering the long car ride and all of the crowds.

Micah had planned to tell Santa that he wanted a train table for Christmas, but then became a little shy when it became time to meet Santa.

We stopped for supper on the way home, and Macey had her first taste of Noodles and Company

We spent Christmas Eve in Northfield with the Raadt side of the family, while Christmas Day was celebrated in Stewartville with our immediate families. The kids received many, many great gifts - I am still trying to find places for everything in our house! We had to travel back to Winona on Christmas Day, as Kyle and I both worked on the 26th. Santa did not let us down though, and Micah received the train table that he wanted.

My dad had set up his Lionel train set from his childhood for Micah

The kids received a lot of musical instruments. Some were from Goodwill, but they were new to them. Both kid received a keyboard/piano, Micah got a drum, and my Uncle brought all of these shakers and bells that he and my mom used to play with when they were children. Nonetheless, we have been making a lot of music at the Raadt house!

The weekend after Christmas, we were up in the cities for Kyle's cousin's wedding reception. We also celebrated Macey's 1st birthday. See last post. Kyle and I also attended our last Viking's game in the dome. Here's to outdoor football for the next 2 years!

New Years eve was laid-back. We spent the evening with our neighbors, although I did not get any pictures from that night. I think that we were home by 10:00, and both fast asleep by midnight.

We enjoyed 2013, but are looking forward to 2014. Like I mentioned, my goal is to blog more often about the small things that make up our daily lives versus the monthly update on the kids. I also am determined to get our house more organized!