Wrapping up Holiday Break

The kids had the longest break from school ever!  I think it was like 17 days!!

Once Christmas' were over, we were bored!  Kayson still had some basketball, which helped a little!  He also did some GolfTec lessons too, so that was nice.  Otherwise, he did a lot of gaming!!  

Cora was bored too...  she's creative, and tries so hard to stay busy, but that only lasts for so long!  We did a few outings - Target runs, Tropical Smoothie with Maggie... and lots of crafts.  Dance started back up, so that was good too - concentrating on Competition dances.  

I enjoyed the time off - I worked here and there, but mostly enjoyed FTO.  Now it's back to work - back to school!  and we are pooped!  ah. 

Taylor Christmas

Saturday and Sunday was the Taylor Christmas celebration. 

Saturday - with just us and Blair/Martina. It was a busy day... kids did well.  Jimmy and Diana made a trip up for lunch and to see us for a bit, so that was nice. 

Saturday evening we opened gifts from Papa and Grandma.  

Unfortunately, Kayson had basketball practice on Sunday in the middle of the day - so Ryan took him home Saturday night, slept at home... but Ryan made a trip back to Creston Sunday, while K stayed home.  It's nice that we can do that - that K has his license, but was sad that he wasn't with us Sunday. 

Sunday was the big Taylor Christmas, and nearly everyone was there.  It was a full house, and loud!  I was ready for quiet!  ha. But fun visiting with everyone... we played a few games too, so that was fun. 

Not many pictures taken...  but we were there and enjoyed ourselves. 

2024 Christmas

Our Christmas morning was great...  very slow and the kids just enjoyed it.  It's so nice, they are so much older and don't freak out, and don't get all worked up!  We just enjoyed it.  

Santa came...  then we had breakfast, then chose to open our gifts upstairs this year.  Typically we do that all in the basement.  It was a nice change... and so much brighter, even though it was so gloomy outside!

Some of the kids' favorite gifts:

Kayson - OC shoes, nice golf shirts, Lulu joggers (that fit so well!), slippers

Cora - White Fox sweat outfit, dupe UGG boots, curling iron, Lulu scuba sweatshirt

It was a nice morning. 

Then we headed to Clarion... out to the lake.  Again, a very nice afternoon... we played a few games, and just sat around and visited.  Nothing ever too exciting, but it was good.  Miss Aylah was fun and very busy, so that was fun to experience. 

Only a few pictures from the day, but it was a good one. 

PJ pants with Boomer's face!

Us girls got matching sweatshirts

Mom's Christmas plates

Kayson's 16th birthday!

He is officially 16.  It breaks my heart, it warms my heart.  It truly is a rollercoaster of emotions at this chapter in our lives. 

Christmas Day will never be the same - 16 years ago, we birthed our first baby.  Man, that was forever ago!

Kayson had a good day, we think.  Sometimes, I wonder if he's happy...  but he seemed to have a good day. 

He was gifted a personalized Waukee Warrior golf bag... as well as a new driver, plus some tshirts.  

He officially has his drivers license too (Intermediate license) - we got that taken care of Dec 27.  

Surprise 16th Birthday!

December 22 - we decided to have a surprise 16th birthday party for Kayson.  He has a lot of close buddies, and I wanted to have them get together. 

The boys arrived at Broheim's Indoor golf a little early, along with the help with Scott, Niky, Duke and Britt.  We arrived right at 5, and Kayson was surprised!

As pulled into the parking lot - Kayson says "Well, there's Hud's car... and Reid's car...  and I think that's Ben's."  I was dying inside...  so I said, "Maybe they are here without you!"

Kayson says, "I'm gonna check their location - yep, they are here,"

We walked in... and everyone was there!  Hud, Ben, Reid, Evan, Duke, Sam, Jaren, Josiah.  It was a good group, and I think they had fun. 

As a Mom, I wish he would have been more thankful, but he said he had a good time and he was surprised.  I guess that's all I can expect.  :)

Weekend

We had a pretty good weekend...  

Kids were busy on Friday - Kayson: basketball; Cora: attended the Nutcracker with Michelle (to support Cora A and a few other dance friends).  It was a good night for them. 

Cora also got to spend some time with Aylah on Thursday night.  

Saturday night, Cora, Ryan and I went to the Webster's little holiday party they have each year.  It was good...  we don't really ever know anyone, so it gets a little uncomfortable!  But we made an appearance, and headed home. 

Life lately

Kayson:

• Typical teen:
• thinks school work is dumb!  And he is showing that when he isn't a fan of a teacher, his school work declines.  
• He will be 16 so soon!
• He wants to be with his friends... or in his room!  There is not many times where Kayson hangs with us in the living room. 
• Started up basketball - on the sophomore team.  There are 20 plus kids on the team, leaving playing time very minimal for Kayson and others.  It's a hard thing to navigate and accept...  with big schools, it just shows how hard it is. 
• Still loving Show Choir - there has been a few conflicts with Show Choir and basketball practices...  again, sometimes hard to navigate, but the teachers/coach have been very flexible and good communication has been had.  Of course, Ryan would rather basketball come first, but that's not happening.  My insight is - basketball has a bench; Show Choir doesn't.  And Kayson loves Show Choir. 
• He's still working on golf - he has indoor lessons, which he hasn't had often (due to basketball), but he's still in the mindset. 

Cora:

• Such a sweet soul - so funny and working hard at this pre-teen life. 
• She's had a few friendship issues over the past month - some friends who are a little more immature than her, some harsh words said from time to time.  It's a difficult chapter of life - I'm trying to guide her and help her through some icky times.  Cora doesn't like confrontation (just like me), but I'm going to push her to handle these things and not dwell on them. 
• Dance is going well - working hard through her 7 competition dances.  (That's a lot - and we will not do 7 again!) 
• she's doing her first solo this year, and I'm very excited for her.  I know she will do well!
• She's still into crafting and just keeping busy.  Cora does not like to be bored!  She's my little side-kick. 

We are prepping for Christmas - can't believe we are just a few weeks out!  I have a lot of shopping done, and feel good about it.  I'm sure other things will come up and we will feel like we need to buy more!  I can't believe Kayson will be 16! He will get his license on the 27th, as that was the first day I could get him into the DOT. 

A few random pictures:

Festival of Peace choir concert

Look how happy he is.

Our Boomer

Cora has been working hard on curling her hair - curls don't hold, but it looks cute at first!