Our Holidays

Whew!  That was a lot of wonderfully busy Christmastime days followed by some beautifully gluttonous lazy days.  Routines?  Schedules?  What are those?  

But after only one day back to normal...BAM!  Snow day.  It's fun because the kids finally get to play in a winter wonderland.  But honestly I was looking forward to getting back on schedule, dropping the kids off at school and enjoying 2 hours alone at the grocery store.  Oh well.  We're making the most of it!  

I figured this would be a good time to catch up with my blog.  A lot has happened in a month's time.  Let's see...

I turned 40 and had the most amazing birthday meal with Rich and our dear friends Mark and Ashley.  

Yep.  That's the big 40.  Let's take a moment to mourn my youth.........ok......that's sufficient.  I'm experiencing the normal "I'm 40 and freaking out a little" emotional introspection that often accompanies this coming-of-middle-age birthday.  But I think I'm settling into it.  I rationally know that nothing has changed except my frame of mind.  I basically look the same.  I'm in good health.  I have a wonderful life and am very aware and grateful for it.  My number is the only thing that is different.  But me being me, that number provoked me to recount these 40 years and ponder the next 40.  

Who am I?  Who do I want to be?  Where am I lacking?  Where am I succeeding?  Blah, blah, blah.  I feel completely the same but totally different at the same time.  What the hell is that about?  My mind really hands it to me sometimes.   

Then we went to Chardon for our Cole family Christmas, which was very fun and yummy and snow free...first time I can recollect not having a white Christmas in Chardon.  

The kids had their school parties.  Mom and Dad played Mr. and Mrs. Claus at Lena's school and were incredible and exhausted after visiting with so many kids in two days.  

Then we went on the Polar Express and Sam celebrated his actual birthday.  

Christmas Eve arrived too fast and we were blessed with a joyful beautiful houseful of family and friends and delicious food. Santa even visited and Sam lost a tooth!  

Then we spent Christmas Day at Lori's and soaked in some more blessings.  

Right after Christmas we had an awesome visit from Tim and Brittany to wrap up the season perfectly.  

We were supposed to spend New Year's Day with more beloved family members, but the kids finally succumbed to all of the holiday hugs and kisses and came down with a nasty virus.  We were still off work and school, so if it had to happen, it was pretty good timing.  Lori was able to go to Becky's party, though, and sent some great photos, my favorite of which is at the bottom of the photos: my grandma, who just turned 93, and her sister, who I believe is 87.  Love!

Truly, our blessings hit me at every turn this year.  Like when I was shopping for our Christmas Eve party, the grocery store was full of grumpy looking put-upon people rushing around with Scroogey faces.  But I couldn't help but stroll down the aisles with a big smile on my face thinking of how blessed we are to be hosting 35 people who we love and who love us and want to spend this special day with us.  Seriously.  It was an overwhelming sense of joy.  

So here is a photo dump of all of that wonderfulness.  Lol.  I hope your holidays were filled with so much love and joy and that your new year will be overflowing with the same!  

Life Lately

'Tis the season to completely neglect your blog...fa la la la la...

Here are some highlights of the happenings here at the Coles' since Halloween.

I painted and applied a cute design to our lazy susan.  Crafting doesn't come easy to me, but it sure is rewarding when my project turns out just as I envisioned it.

Our little Elsa and strong army guy at Halloween this year.

The weather was perfect for trick or treating.  Sam wanted to go with his neighborhood friends and Lena with her's, so Rich and I split up and tackled the neighborhood with the kids' chosen trick or treat mates.  It was a fun night!

Sam went to work with me one beautiful fall day to hang out while the teachers were having an in-service day at school.  He loved being downtown and thought my office was cool.  Lol.  I loved having him with me. 

We had a little birthday gathering for Matt at a restaurant near the airport.  Good times with family just can't be beat.

Our last preschool Thanksgiving feast. It made me a little sad at how fast these years are going and so proud at how our kids are growing into awesome little humans.  

We were a little late (for us) this year getting our Christmas decorations up.  But we finally finished on Thursday - Lena added the final touch!

We had an old Christmas wreath whose berries had melted while hanging on our front door at the old house.  I liked the grapevine/pine cone base of it, just needed to get those sad little berries out of there.  So...brace yourselves...I crafted again.  

I cut out all of those melted plastic berries and created the cutest wreath ever!

Just look!  Isn't it beautiful?  I used an idea from pinterest as my guide, because that's how I roll, and was shocked how well it turned out (3 hours later).

I love it!

Thanksgiving at Aunt Nancy's yesterday was so fun!  It's been awhile since we stayed in town for Thanksgiving, so it was extra special.  Spending time with these people, my cousins and aunts and uncles and grandma, well, it was just the best day.  I love my family.  My photos didn't turn out too great, but I did catch a couple of cute moments.

I also had my annual GWA (girls' weekend away) at the beginning of November, but I did not take one photo.  What?  I'm not sure how that happened.  As soon as I snag some from the other girls, I'll post more about that fun weekend.

Hope you're enjoying this holiday season as much as we are!