End of the Year Craziness

I haven't blogged in months so get ready for a long post…

This time of year is nutty for everyone but I feel it is especially so for us.  We go from Thanksgiving to Max's birthday to our anniversary to Christmas.  Throw in a puppy, three swim meets (one being a travel meet), a sick child for 6 days, shopping to do, wrapping to complete, work to finish before the end of the year… you get the idea.  NUTTY!   No wonder I haven't blogged.  ;)

For Thanksgiving this year Max and I ran the Turkey Trot.  It was our first time doing so for three years.  We just did the mile course because 1) I have not been able to run for over a year and 2) 5 miles is probably just too long for Max.  Max wanted to win.  Like the whole thing.  Guess what?  He almost did.  He ran an 8:07 mile and crossed the finish line 7th!  Haha.  What a kid!  Next year he says we are doing the 5 mile run!  Ok!

Max before the run.

On Nov. 30th Max turned 10.  Double digits.  Man, that is old.  It was Thanksgiving weekend so we had several days off in a row.  It was fun to just hang out with him!  On the 29th he had a party at our house.  The party was a Fear Factor theme, from the tv show.  Max and 11 of his friends competed in lots of gross competitions and the winner scored $10.  It was silly and messy and weird but so much fun!  Afterward he chose three buddies to sleep over.  We went out for pizza, they watched movies and played games, and had a great night.

Awesome Fear Factor cake

10!!!

Max is concerned as Ryan gags on something he had to eat.  Fear Factor style.  :)

Max makes a wish.

The whole gang!

Max and his BFFs.  James, Bret, and Joe

Chris and I celebrated 16 years on December 5th, our wedding anniversary.  No big plans this year as the day fell during the week and Max had a swim meet that weekend.  I did get to meet him out for lunch that day though at Bravo, one of our faves.  It was perfect.  Just living a normal, happy, healthy life is worth celebrating, right?


The weekend of Dec 12-14 Max had a huge swim meet at Miami University.  I hate that he turns the next year older right before that meet.  He was the youngest 10 year old competing for sure.  He had such an awesome meet and made it back to finals every session, which meant SUPER long days for us.  He also got a national zone cut in the 100 butterfly, dropping over 3 seconds during the course of prelims and finals and now gets to compete with Team Ohio at the zone meet next summer.  It's a HUGE deal!  He works so hard; what an accomplishment!

Max in the black/gold jammers getting ready for the 100 Fly

Max and some of his teammates before finals

Max and Joe, Best Buds.  They swam the 500 Free on 12/20 for the first time.  Walked out like this.

For Christmas this year Max really didn't ask for much from Santa.  The "biggest" gift he wanted was a popcorn machine.  Santa delivered.  Of course he has had swim practice every night so we have yet to be able to sit down and pop some corn and watch a movie.  Maybe tonight?  I was able to get a cute mini session in with Max at a local prop shop for some Christmas photos… and of course we did our annual shoot for birthday/Christmas pics in late October as well.

During the last week we spent a few nights driving around looking at lights.  Enjoyed family time on Christmas Eve at Grandma's.  I made a french toast casserole and scrambled eggs for breakfast with my mom and dad on Christmas day.  Spent all day playing games and watching movies before dinner at my parents on Christmas night.  And we just enjoyed celebrating the season, as crazy as it got.

This year has been such a fun one for our family.  We moved into our new home.  Got a new puppy.  Max started 4th grade.  Chris started a new job.  We have made new friends.  Traveled the midwest for swim meets.  Enjoyed good health and many blessings.  And so much more!  We are looking forward to 2015 and all the adventures it will bring!  

Merry Christmas and Happy 2015 from Us!