The Hazard Chronicles

What a very merry Christmas we have had. We hope the same for all of our dear friends and family.

I can't let this post pass without adding a few of my thoughts about this Christmas season.  This year was one of my very favorite Christmases.  I am not sure the reason for this, but maybe it was many things coming together to create a great atmosphere with wonderful people who I love.  

We began a new tradition this year that will be with us for many Christmases to come!  A few years ago I thought it would be a fun idea to do an Advent Calendar with a chocolate surprise behind every window. Who doesn't like chocolate???  Well... This was an absolute disaster. Instead of starting every day with an excited countdown we began each morning with tears and sadness for all involved who did not get chocolate.  It was ridiculous. This year I decided that the Advent Calendar was a great idea... without the cursed chocolate.  I purchased a wooden one with little drawers and Logan and I brainstormed ideas for every day until Christmas. It was simple. Every day we would do a family activity or an act of service.  Busy days would include something simple, and some weekend days had four or five activities listed! Some of my favorites included; building gingerbread houses with friends, collecting our toys and clothes for donation, ice cream sundae family movie night, shopping for secret Santa for families in need, baking goodies to delver to friends, excitedly talking about favorite family traditions, having a potluck party with friends, ringing the Salvation Army bell, getting Gooies at a favorite local restaurant, and more. I looked forward to these every day and the activities really set a fun atmosphere in our home!  

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is watching the excitement our kids have to give their gifts to each other.  We generally take trips to the dollar store so that each person can shop for members of the family, but this year we decided to let each child earn money to pay for a portion of the gift and allow for a bigger budget.  I was impressed at the thoughfulness that they showed and my favorite things to hear on Christmas morning will always be "I am so excited for you to open the gift from me!," or "Can you open mine first?!?!"

Our basement is officially pretty cool. We have a great set up down there with an air hockey table and foosball table (thanks Jill and Lee!), and a Nintendo Wii system (see pictures below).  I have been a bit wary about buying a game system because I am a stickler for limiting screen time.  It was tough for me to go from our 1980's TV set to a television with ROKU because I didn't want TV usage to go up because of ease of use and more movie/show selection. I was picky about the games we bought and I am pretty happy about the selection because I feel like there is a wide range of fun interactive things such as; 3 karaoke games (is anyone surprised???), Guitar Hero, Just Dance, and Mario Kart.  That being said, I am trying to figure out a good balance with how much time is appropriate for TV, Video Games, and other screen time. If you are reading this and have ideas or ways you manage screen time I would love to start a conversation about it. :) 

Christmas was amazing this year. I love where we live and our kids are pretty awesome. 

Life. Is. Good.

There really isn't much more to say.

Rachel kept up her tradition of ringing the Salvation Army bell with each of our kids. Two hours each. They all had a good time well wishing and handing out candy canes to all of the kids.

ALL the kids were in this year's Christmas Pagent at the church. Here are some of the groups showing Jackson (black shirt with the white stain...I promise that wasn't there when he put it on) and Maren (blue dress). We don't have great pictures of the others.

We have had a great time celebrating the holidays as a family. Here we are at Dockside eating Gooeys (the big ice cream things in the middle) and enjoying the view over the lake.

The big presents this year were an air hockey table, a foosball table, and a Nintendo Wii. Last summer our house became the hang out spot for the neighborhood. Well...things just got a little bit better. I love our home.

Speaking of home- here are some pictures that were taken last week (not by me) of our beautiful little corner of the world. It's been over six years since we moved here, but I still find the place magical every time I step outside the front door.

From our home to yours...Merry Christmas.

Have a good week!