The Powers Family Blog: 2014

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Happy 'Moo' Year!

We ended 2014 the way I would love to spend every day - lots of togetherness, fun, and laughter.

Sab - the onesie fits great!

It has been a year like no other. It's almost hard to process just how much has changed since January 1st.

Even though we had always talked about making a move eventually, it certainly wasn't in our "must do" plans for 2014, but here we are living a new (and pretty great :) ) life in Michigan.

As I always do, I re-read my New Year's Eve post from last year. I said I couldn't wait to see how our kiddos grow, change, and bond over the year and they certainly didn't disappoint!

Our darling girl

has grown even more brilliant, hilarious, beautiful, intuitive, compassionate, and sometimes downright infuriating in her determination. We wouldn't have her any other way.

Our darling boy has grown from this sweet, little nugget of a baby

into a smart, gregarious, snuggly, goofy, little boy, who seems to be just as determined as his sister.

Egg hair?

Don't care!

I'm so glad this guy joined our family this year!

And as for their relationship - the year started out with them divided,

but now it seems that nothing could ever keep them apart.

Sorry, Clark. ;)

She's saying, "Happy Moooo Year" :)

... and holding onto his ears...

So what do I want in 2015? What do I look forward to and hope for?

More of the same. Please, God, more days full of love, laughter, growth, and togetherness.

Oh, and maybe some more sleep. :)

Monday, December 29, 2014

Christmas 2014!

Christmas morning - the presents were wrapped,

the stockings were stuffed,

and the children were out. They slept past 8:30. Merry Christmas, indeed!

Ellie was up first and wanted to dig into the presents right away.

We convinced her to wait for Clark to wake up and tided her over by letting her go through her stocking.

Her annual ornament in honor of her great grandma

Clark's inaugural annual ornament

(1st in series for our 1 year old)

We then had our traditional Christmas morning breakfast of pancakes and bacon.

Clark was up and ready for to join in on that.

After an obligatory picture in front of the tree

we let them dig in! Here are just SOME of the gifts (such spoiled/lucky/blessed kiddos!) -

Snow White from Santa

Clark loved his new remote control

Frozen magnetic dress up dolls from Grandma & Grandpa

Bead maze from Santa

Little people helicopter from Aunt Rhonda

*AWESOME* book from Uncle Matt

Snow White & the 7 Dwarfs

Woo hoo! More stamps from Aunt Sab & Uncle Gary

Pop-up book from Uncle Matt

Dump truck

Snow & the guys in the dump truck

Wheelie bag for the kids from Grandma & Grandpa

Little People fire station

Bathrobe!

Super cool wagon from Aunt Mary

Seriously cool

Like I said :)

Ellie had gifts for Mommy & Daddy too. :)

Colored with a little assistance at school, apparently

Ellie had been trying for weeks to tell us about those presents from school, but we kept telling her they were supposed to be a surprise. Silly girl.

Ellie couldn't wait to read each of the 5 new books they got.

I. Love. This. Book.

Especially for this girl and her attitude sometimes

"Life may have its failures, but this was not it.

The only true failure can come if you quit."

Yup, it was a pretty good haul in all as shown by the refuse pile.

The rest of our day was quiet and low key. We had a nice Skype chat with the Sab & Gary, a lovely ham dinner, and an easy bedtime. Definitely a enjoyable way to spend the day.

And now for Christmas day flashbacks, comparisons, and shortcomings (gah - 2013!)..