So...then I had three kids and life got too busy that I forgot about the blog!! I think with only 1 baby, I was blogging at least once a week (mostly during naptime). But no such luxury anymore!
The last post I wrote was back in September. We had sort of a strange fall, which is probably why I lost touch with writing. September was going along swimmingly, with great starts to school for both Alexander and Isaac. Alexander's first grade teacher is a great fit for him! She both has high expectations and expects the kids to try their best but she also can have fun and be really understanding. And her energy is great! Isaac went happily to school this fall. Last year, he had some harder drop off days, but not this year. In October, we ALL (except Tony) got pneumonia! It started with Alexander and we started dropping like flies. For me, it was the sickest I've ever been. It lasted a solid 10 days, too, which meant Tony was on the hook for keeping things under control around the house. Poor kiddos were on so many meds and were so tired and wiped out all the time.
We had a few "normal" weeks in the beginning of November. During this time, though, my mom was in Vienna with her mother, who was nearing the end of her life. So my heart was heavy. On November 20, Urli passed away with my mom at her side, in the comfort of her own home. I cried when I heard the news, mostly for my mom who lost her mother that day. Of course, 98 years is an exceptional age to live until! It was an end of an era. Pretty quickly, we decided that I would fly over to Vienna with Samuel and my sister Claire. This was the next big event of our fall! Tony, again, was on duty for the big boys while I was away with Samuel. It was such a gift to be able to be there for Urli's funeral. I felt like I really had a place there, both physically and spiritually. The funeral day was on Thanksgiving and it was cold and gray. It was a beautiful, simple ceremony. Afterwards, we had a small "Thanksgiving" dinner, while my mom held a candle-lit vigil for Urli.
Although Vienna felt like home to me, it was strange having only 1 kiddo with me and no husband. It was so nice spending time with Claire, my mom, and Therese and her kids. Such a special 10 days! We also managed to hit up a few Christkindlmarkts, which I had really been missing.
Tony and the big boys had a grand old time back in MN, but we were all very happy to be reunited again!
Before we knew it, it was December and Christmas preparations and Advent were well under way. I was so happy to have the boys home for 2 weeks (no school, yahoo!). On Christmas Eve, we spent the day at my parents' house. Alexander read a short christmas story for everyone, and the kids always love the cousin gift exchange. The boys were SO excited that they woke up at 2:30am on Christmas morning! ahhhhhhh! Presents, which were mostly lego, clothes, and books, were thoroughly enjoyed and the boys fell asleep during 9:30am mass. Haha. Later that day, we had dinner at Tony's parents'. More gifts and playtime with the Yantes cousins!
Bring on 2016!
2016 came in with a bang - at least for Isaac :) He got a sled to the nose on NYE. Poor kiddo. I thought it might be broken, but everyone else assured me he was a-okay.
In February, we took a trip to Florida with Tony's parents. It was SO great to feel hot sun again! The kids had a blast, and I think it was a much needed respite for all of us. Anna Maria Island is a cute small-town island with lots of charm. The kids got some 1-on-1 time with their grandparents, which was great since life often gets too busy in MN. We played lots of mini-golf and created an awesome sand castle that rivaled last year's.
Finally getting caught up...We just had a celebration for my mom and dad who celebrated 50 years of marriage! My sisters and I had LOTS of email discussions and prep work, which all paid off. It was a lovely evening, full of smiles and warmth and generosity. My parents, who always are the "do-ers', finally got an evening that honored them and the family that they created. So thankful!
I'll get a post of pictures up soon...lots to catch up on!
No comments:
Post a Comment