A Florida Christmas- Part 3.

After Disney, we headed over to my parent's house to spend a few days in Ponce Inlet. Boy oh boy was it cold. This year we had two more kiddos added to the bunch was so wonderful! Lily and Marley are so sweet and kind, the boys immediately took to them.

Everyone trying to have a mustache as cool as Pops!

Perfecting his skills!

Where's the beach?

Hockey studs.

Luke does not look happy at all :)

This is picture is such a wonderful depiction of my mother. Her heart is huge, her smile big and her love, boundless!

A Florida Christmas- Part 2.

Disney World was so much fun. We got up at the crack of dawn, drove to Orlando and were ready to conquer one of the busiest mouse days of the year. Grammy, pops, Uncle Trav, Aunt Jamie and her fiance, Jex, and his daughters, Lily and Marley joined us. What a day! By 10:30am Luke had ridden Thunder Mountain Railroad 4 times, Splash Mountain 3 times and we were off to explore the rest of the park. We took in the dance show, 13 more rides and the parade. It was a full day of laughs, adventure and memories! Thank you Grammy and Pops!

Drenched after riding Splash Mountain. Luke was brave enough to raise his hands in the air on ThunderMountain Railroad. I love his adventurous spirit.

My mom and Uncle Travis before the Mickey show.

Eli just couldn't keep his eyes open!

Aunt Jamie and Eli.

All the kiddos!

Best view of the parade- from the shoulders!

Thanks for all of the fun!

A Florida Christmas.

Oh yes, this Christmas the best! Ten days in Florida, a healthy Pax, one round of miniature golf, playing Red Rover, a date night for Matt and I, a trip to Disney World, riding the Volkswagon bus singing carols in search of lights and Luke's first bowling session........we sure had a holly jolly Christmas.

Two love birds. We are so blessed to spend this time together. Keep beatin' those odds Pax.

Gino was so sweet and got Luke drums for Christmas. These boys are fantastic musicians!

The soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy.

Family picture- will be so fun to see us as a family of 5 next year!

Don't let this cute face fool you, this one can go from smiles to a full on tantrum in 2 seconds flat!

Mr. Easy Going.

Putt putt here we come!

Hole in one!

Aunt Dana shows us how it is done with the hula hoop! It is so wonderful to have a sister-in-law like Dana. She is so easy to get along with, has the best sense of humor and the most generous of hearts. Luke loves his Aunt Dana so and always looks forward to the night he gets to spend at Dana's house. She can make him giggle like no one else and they have created so many wonderful memories together. Aunt Dana, we hope you know how much we love you!

Christmas.

This year we decided to borrow a wonderful tradition from the Davidson family. www.themayfiles.com. For gift giving, each child received, a want, a need and something to read. Simple and lots of fun! As Luke and I discussed this prior to Christmas he really contemplated about the gift he wanted most. His little mind would hop back and forth between race tracks, musical instruments, costumes and a bike.

The loop to loop was a big hit!

I love this picture as Matt is not easily surprised. His Ipad has been "life changing." :)

Eli was just happy to get......

Merry Christmas and many blessings.

Merry Christmas 2010

Grateful Little Elf.

This year we received the "Elf on a Shelf" from Matt's, very generous, Aunt Sandy and Uncle Rudy. We decided to change it up a bit though and soon the "Grateful Little Elf", a new Klasnick family tradition arrived.

Most every day in December the boys would wake up and search for the Elf. As Eli is getting older, they are becoming more competitive.

Once found, Luke would spell out the letters on the clue and sound out the word. The word was always a reminder of something to be grateful for. Once we figured out the word Luke would hang it on our grateful collage and we would come up with a pay it forward type idea for the day. The whole concept centered around the fact that we would help someone that did not have what we were grateful for.

To watch Luke's heart open and his mind come up with ways we could help others was touching. His generosity, foresight and kindness amazed me. For our December to be focused on others and not ourselves was the most wonderful of gifts received.

One trip found us at the neighborhood assisted living center. Luke and Eli arrived with bells on their necks, a smile on their face and candy canes for all of the "grandmas and grandpas." Eli, of course, stayed in momma's arms but I witnessed Luke venturing out~ dancing, carrying on conversations with adults, asking questions and showing his love. The kid landed so many red lipstick kisses he could have been a Revlon model.

The educational aspect of this new tradition was a bonus. The Gathering Place is a day shelter for homeless mothers. Together with Luke's best friend, Dylan, the boy's read through a list of the most needed items at the shelter. The boys were given a budget and taken to the store to make their purchases. They then delivered the items. Reading, math, and lots of fun filled this day.

Although, looking back the most impactful were the discussions that opened up about the way we live. For Luke to realize that not all children wake up in a warm home and open the refrigerator to choose what they want to eat. For some little boys to not have a father to show them love and encouragement or know that there is a God that loves them. For all of these things, and so many more we are so very grateful.

Santa and the chicken.

So, Luke and Eli know that Santa is not real. To them, he is like Mickey Mouse, a character. Matt and I felt it is important to be as honest as possible with the boys. Does this take the fun out of Christmas? Not at all. Do the kids miss out on the excitement of Santa coming and bringing them presents? Not that we can tell. They were thrilled to go to bed and know in the morning that they would be opening the gifts that mom and dad brought. Will we have issues arise with other children that do believe? Maybe. We are hoping that the boys will know that all families believe and do different things, not just in Santa but with religion, education, activities. This just works for us.

This year was fun though because we were at the mall one day and the boys saw Santa. Their curiosity piqued and they wanted to go check him out. Eli would have no part of sitting on Santa's lap but Luke was game. He marched right up and when Santa asked Luke what he wanted, Luke replied with, "A loop to loop" (race track). Santa said, "What else?" Luke looked a little surprised, not ever thinking he could get two gifts. He put his finger to his head in deep thought and said, "A chicken." Santa, all the elves and myself laughed.

Eli admiring from afar.

Tickling.

Luke: Dad, while you were tickling me, I peed.

Parade of Lights.

Saturday night we packed up and headed downtown for the night. We stayed in a hotel, ate yummy pizza and tried to brave the cold to see the boys first parade- The Parade of Lights. We met the Kessler family, my cousin, Callie, and (almost) the Howard family. A mere 30 degrees and lots of people made it very interesting! Poor Eli did not even make it for the beginning of the parade. The only thing to keep him from crying were the horse drawn carriages we could see every now and again. Luckily, our hotel room looked out over the street so Eli and I enjoyed a warm, bird's eye view of the show while Matt and Luke had front row seats in the street below!

The next morning we went out for crepes (a new Luke and Eli favorite) and rode the shuttle bus up and down the 16t street mall. It was a fun little getaway!

Ski Time.

I truly think Matt had been waiting for this day for the past 3.5 years. The day he could take his son skiing. There is something about the mountains, snow and being outside that takes hold of Matt's heart and fills him with life. To share this with his son, will be his joy.

The whole family headed up to the mountain. Unfortunately, Eli was not feeling well that day so he and I spent most of the day in the warming hut not zooming around on the slw like we had hoped. Luke took a 1/2 day lesson. Afterward he and Matt did a few runs down the magic carpet and pretty much every day you can find him working on his "pizza" and "french fry" skills in the living room. Oh- and let me not forget- all of the snowboard tricks he does off of our ottoman.

Cheers to many fun days on the mountain!

Thankful Thanksgiving!

Before heading back home we spent a lovely Thanksgiving with Matt's family. His Aunt Sandy, Uncle Rudy and their children- Brett (his family) and Tara. They were so gracious to invite us as they already had a house full of guests! It was a feast with many laughs and lots of memories.

(My apologies for a lack of pictures and any of good quality. I traveled to California by myself with the children and there was only so much this pregnant momma could carry. The good camera didn't make the cut!)

It is amazing how the children are growing and learning every day. Uncle Rudy blessed the food and right after he finished his prayer, as we were all standing holding hands, Luke stepped forward and said that it was his turn. We all bowed our heads and listened to his sweet voice praise Our Lord. He thanked Him for putting a roof over our head, for delicious food, for helmets to keep our head safe, and for a wonderful family. As he spoke Eli walked around the circle shaking hands with all the pretty girls. My heart could have burst. It was a thankful Thanksgiving!

California- San Diego.

After spending a few days in Orange County we headed south to San Diego. Unfortunately, it was not much warmer there but there was lots of fun to be had. We stopped by Matt's cousin's house. His name is Brett and he has a wonderful wife, Stephanie. They have two little peanuts that are about the same age as Luke and Eli. Steph is also pregnant with her third little guy! It was such a wonderful time.

Luke loved Ryder's Chargers helmet. No worries though- he is still a Steelers fan.

The next day Luke tasted his first In-N-Out burger. He was not afraid or shy about it. We also played our first miniature golf game with Luke (he is addicted now and practices all the time) and then hit the beach.

Our last day was a full 8 hours at LegoLand. Brett and Ryder were able to join us! This was the highlight for the boys. Luke had been doing extra chores around the house for a month and had saved his money to help buy the ticket. He enjoyed every moment but nothing could top riding The Dragon roller coaster no less than 5 times. Here is The Dragon roller coaster Take 1!

Eli was not tall enough for many of the rides. So, we saw these airplanes for the better part of an hour.

I always wondered why people would spend a mini fortune to take their kiddos to amusement parks, concerts, shows. Now I know. It is to see a smile like this.

California- Orange County.

Last week we found ourselves, reuniting with old friends, splashing in the waves of a chilly yet gorgeous beach, laughing together, enjoying family and rejuvenating our hearts. Isn't that what vacation is all about?

Beautiful views from the St. Regis in Monarch Beach. Matt had earned a few free nights here, wow. Relaxing.

The weather was cold in California terms. We made it swimming in the hot tub twice, the beach and spent some time playing hide in seek in the courtyards.

The hotel provided a golf cart shuttle down to the beach. The boys thought this was the best! We enjoyed a wonderful dinner beachside with Matt's Uncle Rudy and Aunt Sandy. They also treated us to dinner at one of their restaurants- Savannahs. Yum. The only picture I took that evening is extremley blurry though:(

9-1-1, It was bound to happen.

Sometimes it is hard to tell if Luke and Eli are particularly rambunctious or if they are just being boys. I know they have lots of energy and laugh while jumping, spinning and flipping off just about anything in our house.

Yesterday I went to change the laundry in the basement, heard a scream and as I was running up the stairs heard Luke say, "Eli has blood." I walk in to find Eli holding his toothbrush (which he can be found doing about 25% of the day) full of blood and screaming. I picked him up, he was hysterical and I asked Luke what happened.

In Luke's terms, "I bumped him off the stool (in the bathroom where they brush their teeth) and he hit his head." There was a lot of blood and I was having trouble telling where it was coming from. I took Eli to the sink to wash him off but it just kept coming. I tried to lay him down but when I did that he started to whimper, his eyes fluttered and I had no idea what was happening. I called 911 thinking maybe he had a concussion. They instructed me to keep him upright.

Once they arrived Eli had calmed down and was waving at the firetrucks as they pulled up. We all thought the blood was coming from his mouth, the paramedic looked him over as best he could but stubborn Eli would not let go of me or let anyone look in his mouth. Turns out he had gashed his chin. We decided to forgo an ambulance ride and take him to our pediatrician to get it fixed up. Forget stitches, nowadays they have super glue. Within the hour he was as good as new, proud of his boo boo.

Lo and behold, ten minutes after this he fell out of the cart at Costco. Oh sweet love. Then proceeded to trip over his fire truck once we were home and get a fat lip.

Well, not my most stellar day as a mother.

Lesson learned~ Luke is very adventuresome and while Eli so wants and so tries to keep up with him, I need to set boundaries. If you were to ask Luke what my job as a mother is he will tell you, "To keep me safe and healthy." I am hoping these boundaries will do just that.

The many faces of Luke!