catching up

we're attempting to get caught up around here.  part of this catching up includes things like taking down our Christmas decor, unpacking from being away for the holidays, reorganizing the pantry with new and healthier food options, getting into a gym and wednesday night church routine, and updating the blog.  

so far we've got the outside lights put away, but still have a decorated Christmas tree in our living room.  most of the clothing and gifts have been unpacked from virginia, but there are still some items that need to find their way to their respective homes and off of my dining room table.  we spent hours at whole foods bracing for our new paleo lifestyle (for will and i, not for dax), but we still have things on all shelves of the pantry and fridge that nobody can now consume.  i am hoping to get those packed up for food pantry at church this week.  will made it to wednesday night church last night, but i was unable to go since dax has had a fever on and off this week and would not sit anywhere but on my lap.  50% participation for our new class is better than none, i guess.  while we've gone to the gym and signed up, we still have to go back and get our membership cards and turn in our medical information packets.  i got myself some new "workout" clothes to inspire myself to want to go to the gym.  not sure if the world is ready for this.  we attempted to go monday, but the whole fever thing was a good excuse to not have to do that.  that brings me to the final item on the list - which is this poor neglected blog.  so, here i sit with lots of tid bits to fill you in on what transpired over the past month.

dax visits with great granny and gran-gran

we headed to roanoke, va and visited with my side of the family for this year's winter holidays.  this year is the last year my granny will spend in her home and so we were excited (and sad) to attend this last traditional holiday experience.  

dax loved spending Christmas with all of his taylor/covey side relatives.

we had all of the sisters there the weekend before Christmas and so we all headed to granny's to spend time together.  it was hard, but we squeezed everyone into granny's living room for one giant family photo.  this was the last time this group would be in this living room around Christmas time.

the entire group (minus beth's hubby mike)  - standing beside the grandfather clock that my grandfather built.

dax in granny's rocker.

dax admiring the nativity under granny's tree.

 on Christmas eve those of us who were able to headed back to granny's house to celebrate our traditional Christmas events.  in Christmases past we've always gone to granny's house for a Christmas eve dinner and gift opening session.  this year we'd follow all of the same traditions.  i gathered everyone out front and told them they'd have to join in one family photo together.  after all, it is the last Christmas eve in this house.  

while they didn't all want to participate at first, they got into it and we got some good pictures.  (you cannot blame them too much because it was freezing cold outside.)

the group (minus beth's family)

this is the goofy pic.  everyone does this so well!

after the group shot we all headed back inside to enjoy granny's Christmas eve feast.  everyone sat around and ate their meals on tv trays and various tables throughout the house.  it used to be a lot simpler when there were no spouses and great grand children.  we had the adults at the dining room table and the kids at the kitchen table.  it was always simple and it was always fun.  after eating way more than anyone should we all gathered around the tree so we could watch dax and ellie open their gifts.  they enjoyed shredding paper and seeing what each present would be.

uncle arnold and aunt sheree got dax a thomas train set that he is in love with.  granny got all of the fellas a head lamp, but she admitted she didn't know what she was buying.  dax thought it was cool.

dax and ellie sporting the head lamps.

after sharing all of the gifts, stories about what was going on with everyone lately, and planning next year's summer time get together our time together was just about over.  it seemed to last a lot longer when we were six.  everyone headed out to prepare for santa's arrival and get themselves warmly tucked into bed.

dax and daddy prepare for night night.

on Christmas morning we're not sure who was more excited, us or dax.  we got him all pepped up before we headed to the living room to see what santa had left.  santa gave dax a tricycle, a noah's ark, and some puzzles.  daxton was super excited to see the trike.

daxton gets a look at the tricycle.

he especially loved the bell.  so glad we santa sprung an extra $5 for it.

daxton got a shopping cart from his auntie conti and his uncle keke.

dax got quite a few gifts and one of his favorites was a doggy named scout that he was given from his birth mother, birth father, and half brother.

part way through opening gifts we had our traditional visit from my dad's side of the family.  here dad is with his dad and two sisters.

we all shared a pot luck style late lunch and gathered around for some chit chat.  as usual james and dax entertained us all and there wasn't a dull moment.  at one point james had two stockings on his feet like socks.  (yes, they were giant stockings.)  it was great to see everyone and to spend time together in one place on Christmas day.  

dax was really good about learning to open the gifts and then handing them all to gran-gran so he could get them out of the package.  he proceeded to throw wrapping paper on gran-gran for about half an hour, but he was getting such a good reaction it was hard to get him to stop.

dad was a good sport.

the three sisters.

again, time passed too quickly and beth, mike, and james had to head back home and then a few days later auntie conti and uncle keke had to mosey on back through virginia to chicago.  we had an amazing Christmas together and we'll cherish every minute.  after the dust settled we cozied into some down time at nani and gran-gran's before new years eve and most of us caught up on our sleep and relaxing.  after recovering from the go-go time of the Christmas holiday we headed to mom's sorority's annual new year's eve gala.  will and i got all dressed up and celebrated ringing in the new year with mom and dad.  daxton stayed up in the hotel room with our dear friend nancy who played with him until he was sleepy and then slept soundly in the adjoining room.  it was easy to party knowing he was so well cared for.

down stairs in the hotel for the new year's party.

the live band.

mom's best friend's brother performed some of his famous hits for the crowd.  he is a country music song writer and everyone sang along to hits like "me and my gang", "how forever feels", and "little bit of life".

the crowd went nuts!

mom and dad ringing in the new year.  bring it on 2014!

we had a great time and it was amazing to finally celebrate a new years in a big way when we weren't wishing and praying for something magnificent to happen in the following year.  in past years we'd been worried about my health, will's health, and then praying for babies.  it was so wonderfully nice to just be thankful to have our little family and know we were all safe and sound for 2014.