Snow . . . finally!

 We finally had a beautiful snow in Kansas on January 10.  We did not end up getting a snow day for it, but this is what I woke up to in the morning.  Maybe it is because it doesn't happen often for us, but I just think it is such a gorgeous thing . . . fresh, light, white snow!  I love how these photos show the snow still falling --- again, that is a rare thing in these parts.

 The back deck.

 Looking out back from our back door.  The picture captured each beautiful flake.

After school, we decided to go out and enjoy the snow with some sledding.  Bundling up the kids is NOT my favorite part and it took so long to get Andrew and Grant ready . . . I never got a picture of Tyler in the snow.  He was inside because he was too cold before we got out.  I will admit, the wind was pretty strong and it was chilly.  We had heard the snow was coming, so for Andrew's birthday we had given him a sled (and bought a second one for the family too).  So, the snow coming meant we had to go and try out sledding.

 Not sure he could move very well, but he was bundled up!

 Andrew thought scooping the snow was fun.

 Looks like he had a long way to go:)

 His other favorite activity was sitting in it.  Maybe that contributed to him being VERY wet and cold when he went inside.  I will give him credit though, he made it the longest of all the boys.  He toughed it out!!!

 Ryan and Andrew, ready to go.  

 Chris pulled them behind the 4-wheeler through the field.  I came behind on the other 4-wheeler as the "photographer".

 Stopped . . . huh, I wonder what is going on.  Of course, as a mom, took the picture before going to find out.

 Notice, new rider with Andrew.  Ryan was FREEZING (maybe because he never chooses to put on enough clothes to be warm), so he stole my 4-wheeler and I became the sled driver. 

 Ryan headed back to the house.

 Of course, Grant wanted to go where Dad was even though he was cold too.  

 Andrew, Grant, and Dad

 Andrew "fell" in the snow again.

  He seemed to be "tripping" quite often.

 Dad and Andrew ready again.

 Uh oh . . . fell again.

Yes, a very blurry picture, but this is what happens when the "photographer" is driving the 4-wheeler pulling the sled.  I was actually impressed because I took this photo AS I was driving, the camera on my one shoulder.  And our dog Hershey even made it in the picture.  I really wish it was in focus:(

Now move ahead almost 2 weeks to Jan. 22.  There is still a little bit of snow, but very little.  Tyler has his friend Trevor over and they decide to go outside.  The next thing I know they come running in yelling, "We're sledding and it is so fun!"  They found the one place that still had snow, icy snow at that, which happened to be down the hill in our backyard.  Needless to say, this entertained them for a while.

Tyler and Trevor sledding

Andrew sledding

At least it entertained them for a while.  Of course, Andrew got his clothes all wet so I quickly had to change him before heading out to Ryan's basketball game.  It was fun watching them!

Fabulous Four

Happy 4th Birthday

 Fabulous Four's have hit our house!  We had a great time celebrating Andrew's birthday.  The best part for him was sharing it with his family.  What he blessing it was, 4 years ago, when Andrew came into our lives.  There definitely has not been a slow moment since, although we wouldn't have it any other way. 

 

 Andrew with cousin Luke and WOODY (from Toy Story)

 The request was a Mator cake which was fulfilled by Uncle Kent.  

Great job on the cake!!!

 All smiles because he received the field cultivator he wanted from Uncle Myron 

(with a little red tractor too)

To go with the Cars cake, a Cars puzzle from Uncle Kent

.

It was great to have close family share this celebration with cake and ice cream.  

Now he's running full speed towards 5.

Boys in Church

January 2 the boys had the opportunity to sing in church with another girl from Tyler's class.  She chose the song "Love Has Come" by Mark Shultz.  They all practiced and did an excellent job.  We were very proud of them and look forward to the next time they decide to sing together:)  I tried to upload the video but can't seem to get it.  I'll continue to try. 

Merry Christmas

Christmas has finally arrived.  I want to enjoy this moment, reflecting on the birth of Jesus, and the real reason for the season.  As I reflect on Christmas, I'm reminded of all the blessings I've been given.  I continually realize that sometimes I move through life so rushed that I don't take moments to enjoy the "here and now".  That is my goal for this holiday break, to begin to enjoy all the wonderful things that happen at the moment . . . and be able to slow down to take it all in.

This isn't a new realization for me . . . I've recognized it for a while now, but after an intriguing conversation with my uncle yesterday, I've really been thinking about it. During our conversation it came up how before I know it, I'll be 25 years older, possibly considering retirement, and I'll look back and realize the last 25 years have gone by in a flash.  It will just seem like yesterday that I was sitting there talking to him about it.  And my children at that point will be ages 37 (close to my age now) on down to 27.  Where will the time have gone?  Will I have taken the time to enjoy the moments?  Will I slow down enough to know the moments to enjoy?  The other discussion was how sometimes, as younger people, we feel the generations older than us are "missing out" on things and not staying up with what is happening now.  But . . . in all actuality, we determined that they are "choosing" to miss out on those events . . . they have figured out the value of slowing down and taking the time to do the necessary things, but not all the extras.  Hmmmm, my thoughts on that confirm what I've always thought, "Age creates even more wisdom and those older ones earn the award for being much more wise."

So, as I sit here on the eve of the most amazing day of the year, the day Jesus was born, I am praying for more wisdom.  I am praying for the strength to slow down and be able to say "no" when necessary to enjoy the "here and now".  My children are growing up incredibly fast as it just seems like yesterday that Ryan was born but in reality it was 11 1/2 years ago.  Also, I realize I do not have that much more time to have them living under my roof to teach them everything they need to know before being on their own. That's a lot of pressure as a parent, but one I am willing to embrace and put my energy into.  Parenting is a gratifying, rewarding job daily, and I'm sure I'll learn even more about that over the next 25 years.

Now, on Christmas Eve afternoon, I'm starting right now . . . sitting here enjoying time with my children, allowing things in the house to just be as they are, a mess, and take in the moments before they pass me by:)  I'm determined to recognize the moments to enjoy as they are happening . . . not look back and wonder where they went.

Merry Christmas everyone and may you enjoy this holiday season with your loved ones, family, and friends!   

Happy Holidays

This year we decided not to do a Christmas letter in addition to our picture cards we sent out. We put a little card in each envelope encouraging everyone to keep up with us on our blog or facebook.  With that being said, we decided that we best update our blog. It goes without saying that our lives remain busy, busy, busy. The parents of children whose kids are a few years ahead of ours are always telling us that it doesn't slow down anytime soon. They are not kidding.

Ryan and Tyler are both playing basketball again this winter and both are having successful seasons. You can find them at junior high and high school games on many nights of the week as well. They are both also very involved in music. Tyler continues to take piano lessons and Ryan is still playing tuba and has now taken up bass guitar. Both will be performing at the Eden Mennonite Church Christmas eve program. As you can probably tell, all that activity translates into nearly constant taxi service for mom and dad.

Andrew and Grant are not active at all (ha ha).  Andrew has enjoyed his first semester of preschool (as long as his buddy Lane is there). At least now he will tell you he has some other friends there. He is learning colors, letters and numbers and has brought home some neat projects. The preschool also had a neat Christmas program a few weeks ago. This was our favorite song --- especially due to the adorable props. (not positive the video loaded - sorry)

And he was an angel for the Christmas Story at preschool.  We decided this could possibly be the first and last time he will ever fall in the "angel" category.  What do you know, his buddy Lane is an angel with him:)

 Andrew and Grant also had a visit with Santa at the Lincoln Perk in Hesston.  Andrew was very willing to sit on Santa's lap - Grant, not so much. 

 Grant continues to work on new words and repeats EVERYTHING his brothers say. We continue to work on his speech and eating, both of which are improving. We are very blessed that they are able to go to Grandma Shari or Miss Elaine for child care each week.

We wish you Merry Christmas, a blessed holiday season, and a great 2011.

Over 2 months . . . what's been happening

My last post was over 2 months ago - whoops - I guess life has gotten pretty busy.  I'll try to give you a quick run-down of what's been happening.

Our nephews, Luke and Ian were dedicated in church in early October, which was a great opportunity to get a picture of all the cousins --- all 6 boys:)

The next weekend, October 16, I went to Kansas City and ran the Waddell and Reed Kansas City Half Marathon.  This was a wonderful run that started at Crown Center, went through downtown, Westport, The Plaza, and then back to Crown Center.  There were a couple really big hills which concerned me a lot.  I must have been in better shape than the last time because I ended up cutting 11 minutes off my time.  It felt great (well, once I recovered).  Now I'm planning my next one for the first weekend of May for the Oklahoma City Memorial Half Marathon.

Tyler played 4th grade football with the Halstead Hurricanes this fall.  They finished the season 5-2 and Tyler's high points were an interception and then running the ball in for an extra point at the last game. The weekend he played in Haysville, we decided to make it a family day out.  Here are the boys playing on the playground next to the football stadium while Tyler's team was warming up.  The boys had a great time.
 

For the game at Haysville, Tyler and two of his friends from Moundridge, Remington and Trevor were the captains.  

Tyler also had a great tackle during this game.

 Then we went to Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Goddard, KS.  We had a wonderful afternoon as a family.  Andrew fed the rabbits . . .

Grant enjoyed feeding the Tortoise's also . . . 

We all loved the island with the lemurs:)

Especially when one jumped on my back and climbed on my shoulder:)

At the end of October I travelled to New York City and met up with 4 other close friends from the NFED (National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias) to attend the 10th Annual Halloween Bash - fundraiser for the NFED.  We had a blast in the Big Apple during our 3 days which consisted of the following:

Times Square before going to see the Broadway show "Rock of Ages, then viewed the city from the Marriott Marquis rotating restaurant . . .

The Today Show - Thursday, October 28, 2010 - it was an awesome experience and we held our signs up advertising the Halloween Bash.  We were on TV 3 different times (and the hats were part of the "advertising" that morning for the Today Show's big Halloween show the next day . . .

All ready for a night on the town at the Halloween Bash - Me, Susan, Terri, Kristin, Kim, Ashley

After the bash we went up to the top of the Empire State Building - it was COLD - but laughter sure is good for the soul, and we did a lot of that.

Hop on Hop Off bus tour of the city:  Macy's, World Trade Center, Chinatown, Little Italy, Battery Park and the Statue of Liberty.  Here was our "creative picture" photo at the base of the Statue.  My first attempt at cheerleading and I believe my last attempt - although we were quite successful:)

Next stop on the Hop on Hop Off bus tour:  Central Park, 5th Avenue, Tiffany's, Trump Tower, Cathedral of St. Patrick, and Rockefeller Center.

Last night and last Broadway Show - "Mamma Mia!"  It was spectacular!!!!

Getting in our last taxi cab to head to the airport:  Me, Susan, Kim - an amazing trip 

with many, many memories!

The "Welcome Home Mom" sign that Ryan made for me.  So sweet:)

The next day was Halloween.  Here is the Huxman crew:  Ryan was the security guard (body guard) for Tyler (who was Tony Romo with a broken collar bone:), Andrew (as Tigger), and Grant (as Winnie the Pooh).  We found pictures of Ryan and Tyler when they were "Tigger and Winnie the Pooh" and the resemblance is absolutely amazing!!  The boys had a great time and were even able to actually walk a street to trick or treat with their cousins in Newton. 

 

So, that's the 2 month recap.  I'll try to post more quickly next time:)