Kate & Gabe: December 2013

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

New Year's Eve

I can't believe it's already time to say goodbye to another year.

I feel like the years are flying by faster and faster each year.

2013 was a great year though. Grant turned ONE, Kate had emergency tonsillectomy for an abscess, Grant had seizure like activity that earned him an EEG, Gabe graduated preschool and began Kindergeten, we became Disney season pass holders, and Jon hurt his back and had surgery. So, it was a medically odd year for us, but otherwise no real major changes, which was kind of nice. I am looking forward to these next few years of feeling settled with no major changes on the horizon.

To celebrate the year, my parents are coming over to help us ring in the New Year!!

These kids are always ready to party!

Kate was excited to help me set the table this year

to get ready for our New Years Eve celebration.

We started our fun around 7pm, so we had plenty of time

to play while waiting for the ball to drop!

Time for sparklers!!!

The kids had fun being wizards with their Magic Wands! :)

After sparklers we headed out to the front yard to set off our fireworks.

Unfortunately, Georgia doesn't let us shoot off the really cool fireworks, but we still had fun.

Grant sat with Grandma watching the fireworks and loved them!

But then he got tired of sitting on the sidelines

and wanted to get a bit closer to all the excitement...

Gabe looks kind of like a mix between the Elf on the Shelf and Where's Waldo. :)

He had fun helping his Daddy light some of the fireworks and then would run for safety.

Hmmm....what should we light up next?!?

Fun with Fireworks!

After the fireworks we came back inside to have dessert. I started early this morning making my very first Chess Pie, using a recipe I got from my friend Ashley Kriner. I was so excited. It looked and smelled delicious. I also made a second, similar, chocolate pie. Well, I went in to the kitchen to serve desserts and noticed one of my pies was missing. I wondered why my mom had moved the chess pie, then I looked around and say my dog, and knew in an instant what had happened. Even though both pies were pushed to the very back of the stove, our dog Bailey took advantage of us being outside and managed to pull the chess pie to the ground...and ate the whole thing!!! And there, in the living room was the empty tin pie pan. I was so upset, but not shocked..... At least we still had one pie to enjoy plus the cupcakes the kids picked out at the grocery store. :)

It's almost time:

10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1....Happy New Year!!!

A toast to a great 2014!

Grant didn't quite make it to midnight this year.

Happy New Year Grandma & PawPaw.

We are looking forward to all that 2014 has in store for us!

Time to get these wild kids to bed....goodnight everyone!

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Christmas at Grammy's

As has been our tradition for many years, after a bit of afternoon rest we drove to Jacksonville for Christmas dinner at my Grandma's house with the rest of the family. Unfortunately, Zane & Peyton are sick so we have a smaller group with us this year.

Time to thank Jesus for our many blessings and the fact that He is our greatest gift this Christmas!

Grant is just starting to understand the concept of prayer time...so sweet!

Grant was having to much fun with Aunt Sue at dinner...and loved his GIANT cupcake from Kim!

Want a bite??!

Your turn Grammy! :)

I love seeing the cousins have fun together. I hope they are always friends.

Poor "horsey Hannah." I think she loved every minute of it though!

One more passenger to board...

Hannah ~ Grant ~ Gabe ~ Kate

Bare Family Christmas

2014

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Christmas Morning

The kids were all three SO excited when they woke up and saw that Santa had come last night and under our tree was a big pile of gifts! It is so fun to see the excitement on their faces wondering what is hidden underneath all the wrappings.