(Here I am playing with a Christmas filter!)
We haven't done one of these posts in a while and am glad that we could share a bit with you today. We like it when we get a chance to share a personal post so that you get a chance to see a glimpse of me as a real person and feel connected.Here are a few things that have happened in my life:
CHRISTMAS BREAK
We had a wonderful Christmas break--the kids had a ton of fun and used most of it to relax and play with their new gifts. Here is Steve with a Santa filter--doesn't he look so serious?
One of my favorite gifts that we got for Christmas was getting the new iPhone 11 Pro Max. Verizon had a buy-one-get-one-free deal so several us upgraded:
Can I just say that the camera is amazing and so is night mode! I like all things tech so yes, I was geeking out just a bit. My husband said everything on my list needed to be plugged in (haha) and everything on his didn't (see how opposites attract?). 😀
The younger kids loved everything they got, but some of their favorites gifts were this, this, and this. The last one was no longer being made so we had to search high and low for it to get a reasonable price for it since they had wanted this game for some time. Thankfully, we were able to!
I also really enjoyed getting this gift too because I can upload new pictures just using an app on my phone! It is SO easy. I had wanted one for years and finally put it on my list this year. I like how you can put themed pictures up and coordinate them to holidays, birthdays, etc.
It was very hard taking the tree down this year because everyone wanted it up for... an infinity. But we did finally take it down and now I am thinking about how I'd like to redecorate with a fresh new look this year. We also took the kids to our annual shop on the Mag mile in Chicago also . It was very beautiful and lit up with all the lights.
(this was a 55 foot tree)
(outdoor iceskating at Millennial Park)
(The new Starbucks that just opened and is one of the largest in the world - I know some of you don't like them but I thought I would just show you how big it is.
There was a line wrapped around the block to get in.)
NEW YEAR'S PARTY
We hosted a party here complete with food, games, karaoke singing (one of our gifts from Christmas), and dancing! We had a ton of fun and glad we got to ring the New Year in with friends.
(here some of them are playing with the game I mentioned above)
Then we started the first day of the year out here and it was packed:
THE BULLS
My oldest son surprised us and purchased Chicago Bulls games tickets for a few of us for Christmas. It was great fun and I was so glad that I went. I was a big fan when Michael Jordan and the Dream Team existed!
WEDDING SHOWER
I recently attended a wedding shower of a friend. Instead of opening with typical games they had an older woman speak to and give biblical advice to the soon-to-be wife. It ranged from communication, putting your husband first, and even discreetly covered intimacy. I liked that opening a lot better than the normal games that are offered. I also liked their simple and easy favor idea using mints:
I also attended a funeral in the same week and was it was a good time to reflect on life and just how really short it is.
RETURNING BACK TO REAL LIFE
Now with Christmas break being over we are back at it in school--we are easing ourselves in and not putting too much pressure this first week. The boys are back to their regular basketball schedule and had 3 games this week alone! I volunteered to work concessions with a friend and some of my kids and helped to make popcorn and pretzels and more. Other classes for the kids have begun as well and we are slowly moving back into a steady rhythm.
DECLUTTERING
Before school began I had a chance to declutter several parts of the house. I was so happy and will probably do a post soon about it. It definitely felt great when we were done! I shared a post on decluttering after Christmas that you can find HERE if you haven't gotten to it yet.
I am so grateful to God for a new year and hope you are enjoying yours!
What have you been up to lately?
Please share in the comments below!
Note: This post contains affiliate links--thanks for your support!
You may also like these posts:
How to Plan the New Year with Your Husband
Making New Years Goals for 2020
How to Pick a Planner for 2020
My Top 3 Favorite Books from 2019
Thanks for giving us a glimpse into your family's Christmas and New Year happenings. Blessings in 2020.
ReplyDeleteDear Reidland Family,
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed our post--thanks for stopping by! And many blessings to you too!
Thank you June for sharing your recent happenings. We still have our Christmas decorations up but I think today they will be coming down. I hate taking my tree down too. Actually what I want to do is leave it up and decorate it for all the holidays that occur between now and Christmas like Valentine's Day,Resurrection Sunday etc that way the tree will already be in the house.😁
ReplyDeleteWe usually go look at Christmas lights but for starters the weather this year was uncooperative and our car broke. This was the first time we didn't go Christmas light watching.☹
I going to be starting my first phase in decluttering by gathering up all my extra fabric and giving it to a friend who quilts.
I'm also going to get my yarn organized because I keep buying yarn and I realize I really need to do is find projects to crochet using what yarn, I already have.
I'm catching up on my book reading and have joined book reading challenge group. It's going to be fun.
Well have a wonderful rest of your week!
Dear Regina,
ReplyDeleteYes, we took our tree down but I am still plotting a way to keep some Christmas lights up to have a "glowy" feel all winter!
So sorry to hear about your car--we have had our fair share of challenges with vehicles in the past year.
We didn't go see our annual light exhibit that we normally do either--I think in the end we were just too tired!
Have fun decluttering and with your reading group!