weekend celebrations

So, I suppose I should get to the point of the story. We came, we conquered, and we went home to have what everyone could call a Chuck E. Cheese detox. Some pictures of our day.

The looks of anticipation...

All of the fun games...

Katelynn's face cracks me up here....not to mention she's totally pointing this at me.

Caleb...priceless.

Ahhh, the detox. Otherwise known as cake and candles. And of course some much needed hugs!

Daddy made the cake-his first one!

see the 8

We had a great day! Caleb had such a great birthday-thank you to all of you for those special birthday wishes, and of course the thoughtful cards and gifts. They were much appreciated!

Today, we decided to drive up to the north Georgia mountains. It wasn't ideal weather-perfect temperature, just lots of fog and rain. But we still enjoyed the beautiful scenery.

And just something we've noticed...the mountains for us, brings much clarity. A time where we can appreciate the beauty that this world holds. It is in so many places. Wherever your mountain is...take moments to drink them in. The peace, the joy, the contentment. We are so fortunate to be living, breathing. It is very easy to take that for granted. I urge you, start taking it for what it's worth: true beauty. 

"Life is full of beauty. Notice it. 

Notice the bumble bee, 

the small child, 

and the smiling faces.

Smell the rain, 

and feel the wind.

Live your life to the fullest potential, 

and fight for your dreams."

-Ashley Smith

Happy Birthday to our 8 year-old!

A look back...

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Just looking back at those photos, it's hard to believe how much he's grown. We keep telling him he needs to sloooww down. But he laughs at us every time we mention it.

Here's a few things about Caleb:

-He's in the 50th percentile in both height and weight
-His favorite thing to do is build Legos, play Wii, and play games on his new Nintendo 3DS
-He is a very smart 2nd grader, his favorite subject is PE
-This is his first year as a cub scout, and he is a wolf cub
-His favorite color is black
-His favorite food is pizza
-His favorite restaurant is Loco's (a local restaurant)
-His favorite animals are a wildcat and a bulldog
-He loves to watch football, his favorite college team is K-State, his favorite NFL teams are the Green Bay Packers and the New England Patriots, and his favorite players are Jordy Nelson and Tom Brady
-He can ride a bike all by himself, and he likes to go fast!
-He plays nicely with his little sister, as long as she doesn't destroy anything in his room
-He can read 3rd grade level books, and his favorite book is Lego Ninjago
-He loves to play games, and is currently perfecting his chess game
-He likes to help out in the kitchen, his favorite thing to make is pot roast and mashed potatoes
-His favorite movie to watch is Cars 2, his favorite TV show is Lego Ninjago
-His hidden secret talent is putting together Lego sets really fast! (and all by himself)
-Quote: "I like to do my best."


This afternoon we're venturing out to where Caleb wanted to go to celebrate his birthday: Chuck E. Cheese- "where a kid can be a kid." It'll be a first for Mark and I taking the kids. For years and years we've tried to avoid it...images of kids running rampant, parents chasing them down, a life-size mouse walking around dishing out pizza. Yeah, it's a wonder why we've been putting this off. And this year we tried to offer all kinds of options...children's museum, drive-in movie theater, a trip into the metropolis. Nope, Chuck E. Cheese. The kids are ecstatic. So, I'll make sure to post lots of pictures of our en devour, it's sure to be memorable.

It's okay, it's all about him today.

Christmas cheer

I want to just start off by saying....Merry Christmas to you and your family.

This post may be a long time comin', but I can honestly say everything about this year has been a little bit different. All in good ways, mind you, but I've definitely felt off my Christmas "game" this year. 

Well...life says, game on.

We traveled to the "home-land" last week. Kansas. I may prefer our beautiful tall pines, and gorgeous warm weather here in Georgia. But I definitely prefer being around our wonderful family and friends this time of year. It wouldn't be a Christmas without it.

The great part...a lot of celebration was in order. And did it ever deliver. 

a picture's worth a 1000 words :)

one of the best gifts I was fortunate to receive....a new lens for the ole camera.
this is my look that screams "how do ya work this..."

I started to figure it out...

After the Hain Christmas, we drove up to Newton for the morning. Katelynn and I helped Amy and Mama Church with some Christmas cookies. Well, I think we helped...

we enjoyed taste-testing!

Then down to Mom's to celebrate with the Kindt side. 

Which one's the angel?? (above or below)

The next day we celebrated with the Rowe side.

Over and over again, we were reminded of the love we have in all of those wonderful people we call our family and friends.

This morning, Santa finally came to our house. And we had a great day enjoying our time together. 

our new Christmas tradition...holiday-cakes

And tonight, as I reflect, sipping on my last cup of "holiday cheer", I can't help but feel entirely content. 

Joyful, for the year that we have had. The progress made, the ways in which we have learned more about ourselves.

Love, for those who we miss and think of often. Who are always in our hearts, no matter how many miles are between us.

And all the other mixed and meshed feelings that Christmas brings us all this time of year. 

The way we can be taken back to a Christmas past, with tokens in which we surround ourselves.

If I remember right, I believe I was in third grade when I heard about the the legend of the Christmas Spider.
My little hands made this trinket to hang on my tree then. And it still hangs now.

And in my personal belief, it doesn't matter who you are, and what you believe. Every day is an opportunity to come together and appreciate the joy life brings. 

In our household we love this tradition. Celebrating His birth, and our love for each other.

We hope each and every one of you have a wonderful Holiday Season!!