New Year's Eve

We had a different New Year's Eve this year.  We usually have babysitters and stay out late, but this year granmom and grandad were unavailable due to Mamaw's illness and Amma and Papa had already made plans.  Truthfully, it was one of the best New Year's Eves because we spent it at home with the kids, having fun together.  We all went to Central Market to pick out some decadent food, including lobster.  We came home, had fun cooking together, eating, and watching some celebrations on TV.  The boys hit the hay and Lance and I stayed up enjoying a bottle of champagne and a movie.

All I got were a few pics of the boys eating and the beef carpaccio that Lance made.  Yes, like last year, he spent his yearly night as a chef.  I'm proud that Benjamin tries so many things now.  He LOVES lobster!  Seriously, you don't have to go out to have fun or to indulge.

Christmas 2014

It was a traditional  Christmas for the Vaughns this year, with local flair and plenty of gifts.  This was our Christmas card picture:

Unfortunately, many of us were sick at various times over the holiday.  The worst came when Sawyer needed breathing treatments Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.  We had to take him to the doctor after we opened presents.  He turned out to be okay, thankfully, but it sure made it stressful and sad at times.

Despite that, there was plenty of Christmas cheer to be had.  The boys looked absolutely adorable in their Elf pajamas.

This is what it looked like Christmas morning.  Santa sure was generous!

The boys each got a football helmet and jersey representing their favorite team.  Benjamin thought it would be fun to wear them all at once.

 Perhaps he's a future quarterback!

The boys also got new bed sets.  I think they were happy with our choices.

Alas, poor Sawyer needed time out for a treatment.

We had a great Christmas day dinner with both sets of grandparents.  I took on the challenge of another festive holiday cake, and people had fun trying to get good pics of it.

Here is my favorite picture of the chocolate peppermint snowball cake.  Yum!  I'm pretty sure though, that I did gain 3 pounds just from eating this cake.

One of my favorite traditions that we've established since the boys have been around is going to the Four Seasons to see the Gingerbread Village.  They usually have a train running around it, but not this year.  I don't think it was a problem.

Although I don't have any pictures of it, I have to mention the amazing dinner that we had at Trio, the restaurant there.  Afterwards we were all in a giddy mood, especially the boys of course.

Until next year!!!

A New Year, And Review

Now that it is well into the first month of 2015, I find myself with a little time to do some blog posting.  I only have this time because I have chosen not to do any excersise today.  You see, I have taken up running this year and I am determined to get better at it.  I'm not really sure why.  Maybe I need something to strive for, something that I control more than I can my life at home!  But the result of pushing myself forward is some pretty intense soreness in my legs.  I think I can get by with one day off.

I haven't posted about any events since last summer, so I will take this time (before Evan comes downstairs) to post about a few events in the last part of 2014.

First is Benjamin's birthday.  He turned 7!  It was his idea to have a Luau party at our house, because he wanted a Kona Ice truck to come.  All of his friends were treated to Hawaiian shaved ice and we played out in the front yard.  The boys played football and some of the girls joined in too.  I really think it was our best party yet.  Benjamin's big gift was a pet parakeet.  We all went to the store to pick it up.  Benjamin was so proud of his purchase!  He named the bird "Ocean" because it is blue.  I can say that it truly feels like an accomplishment to have a child who is 7.

October was a beautiful month, as it usually is around here.  Bright, brilliant blue sky and cool temperatures seem the trademark in late October.  We enjoyed a family outing to a nearby pumpkin patch.  It was the windiest day that I can remember, but what a good time we had.  Pumkins, face painting, hay rides, bouncing, family!

Well you can probably guess what happened next....Halloween!!  We had Jake the Pirate, Spiderman, and Batman.  I have truly loved the last two halloweens that we have spent in our new neighborhood.  The block party and trick-or-treating are so much fun, and a great time to meet new neighbors.  Sadly, I have taken too few pictures.  I promise we really do have neighbors.  Nice ones even.

November surprised us with a very cold snap.  I had to harvest all my fall tomatoes, but they were good anyway.  The cold snap led to prettier than average fall color, which we totally enjoyed as we were outside riding scooters and driving around town.  We have been out on the street so much lately that Lance decided to buy our friend, who we named "Slow Man".  I think he really does work.

Benjamin got to experience to other side of the Thanksgiving meal that the Kindergarteners and First graders share.  Last year he was an Indian and this year he got to be a Pilgrim!  Again, too few photos, but one is better than none.

This naturally leads into the real Thanksgiving dinner.  We started the day with some football in the back yard.  I might as well mention that the boys, especially Benjamin, are suddenly in love with football, both watching it and playing it.  For the third year in a row we have shared a meal with all four grandparents at Amma and Papa's house.  We do a pot luck, so we all get to cook something but nobody is overwhelmed.  I took responsibility for the turkey, and I also couldn't help but make a tomato tart with the garden tomatoes that I harvested earlier in November.  The turkey was amazing, and I just might have to do it again next year.  I'll also have to take pictures other people besides granmom, grandad and Sawyer.  I promise we were all there!

Ok, phew, that was a lot in one sitting.  I think I will close this out and update the December and January events on my next sore, no-exercise day.