"This is the best Christmas ever!"

A DECEMBER TO REMEMBER

 Is December truly coming to a close? 2014 will be here before we know it and one more Christmas will be in the books. According to Connor this was the best Christmas ever, and I look forward to making it just as magical and special in the years to come. Throughout the month we did our annual activities like going to see Santa (multiple times) but especially at Bass Pro, and enjoying the festivities at Oasis church. This year Connor particularly enjoyed the train that Oasis set up for patrons to enjoy, and of course we went on it multiple times. He also really loved the snow machine!

It was exciting to pick out our tree this year, and even more wonderful to put Connor's new Disney train set beneath it. He loved to watch it go round and round. The Ft. Lauderdale Christmas Pageant was also another big activity for our family, and though I wasn't in it, I appeared every evening before the show began to welcome our guests. It was a nice way for me to be a part of the pageant family.

As soon as school was dismissed for Winter Break we made our way up to Orlando to enjoy the last days of our 2013 annual pass. We got a special Christmas gift by scoring dinner reservations to Be Our Guest in Magic Kingdom. We have been trying to eat there for dinner since it opened. It was as delicious as could be hoped for, and the "Grey Stuff" was truly yummy. 

The next day we went to Sea World and Epcot. Connor had a wonderful time feeding the dolphins and petting the sting rays. We were impressed by how they turned the Wild Arctic ride into the Polar Express. The detail they put into it was excellent and of course Connor loved it! 

Daddy got off early from work on Christmas Eve and we finally were able to do the early candle light service at church. It was so enjoyable and special to then come back to a delicious meal and we even watched a movie. Connor was certainly excited for Santa to come and he carefully picked out the right cookies to leave out for him and helped me pour the milk.

One of Santa's elves left a fun road for Connor to follow out to the tree, and his squeals of delight at seeing all of his presents was priceless. Some of the things on his list for Santa this year was: "shark train", a 'loop-de-loop' (or woop-de-woop), golf clubs, and a fishing pole. Santa came through with the win, and Connor got all of that plus more. This time Santa focused on growing his wooden train set collection, as well as DVDs, books, balls, board games, and even a brand new t-ball bat. Aunt Kim even sent him a drum set that he has enjoyed pounding on for the last few days.

Connor was thrilled to learn that Santa even visited Grandma's house and there we opened even more gifts. Grandma started his leap-pad collection and it will be the new device he gets hooked on I'm sure. He's already telling us what practically every word he says starts with, it will be great to see how he does with this. Connor got to spend some of his day outside using his new fishing pole that Papa got for him and caught a fish! Maybe the smallest fish I have ever seen on a hook, but a thrill for him none the less.

We were excited to have Uncle Scott come by on Christmas day too. It has been a long time since we were together for Christmas and was truly a gift. He brought specials presents for everyone and we spent a good portion of the afternoon playing out back with all of the new goodies. 

Grandma Glenda made a delicious supper, and Casey's pies will forever be memorable. It was a  such a wonderful day! I cannot contain my excitement over my new Canon T3i and I'm giddy to be able to start using it.

December has been so special, and always is. From the joy of opening mail from all of your loved ones all over the country, to the spell binding twinkle of Christmas lights, to pageants and holiday recitals, to the anticipation of Christmas morning, all of it adds up to a wonderful season. I am thankful and grateful to all of the family and friends that thought of us, and especially Connor, to make it even more memorable. The emptiness of not having dad here is always apparent, but knowing that he is celebrating this special birthday with the Savior makes it easier. We are truly blessed for all that we have, and the love we share with one another is a godsend. Nothing is perfect, but this Christmas came pretty close.

Christmas Card 2013

The Best Petersen Moments of 2013

13. Visiting Walt Disney World monthly

12. Kristin directing/producing "High School Musical" (read more here)

11. Guise trip to Fallingwater in Pittsburgh (read more here)

10. The "big kids" having a blast at Rock the Universe

9. Kristin receiving her 3rd nomination for Teacher of the Year

8. Connor dressing up as Jake (of the Neverland Pirates) for Halloween (read more here)

7. Tim beating his previous time running the A1A Ft. Lauderdale Half Marathon (read more here)

6. Traveling to North Carolina and Virginia to celebrate Casey graduating with his Master's Degree (read more here)

5. Cheering the Red Sox at a pre-season game in Tampa and another at Fenway Park during a winning year (read more here)

4. Connor learning to read sight words, write his name, play the piano (here), ride a bike, and hit a baseball 

 

3. Celebrating Connor's 3rd Birthday with Planes (read more here)

2. Celebrating Homecoming Weekend 2013 at Liberty and seeing friends (read more here)

1. Traveling to Ireland where Tim got to kiss the Blarney Stone on his 30th Birthday (read more here)

I am beyond thrilled with how wonderful our Family Christmas pictures came out this year! Matheson Hammock Park was a picture perfect location, and Anthony did a wonderful job. They are truly keepsakes and I can't wait to frame them on my wall.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Grateful and Thankful this November

“A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues.” ~Cicero

November has been full of life. We have done and seen so much that it's been hard to keep track of. I'm glad I enjoy taking pictures otherwise I wouldn't know up from down. We are so blessed by what we are able to take part in, and the Lord has provided so many wonderful opportunities for us to enjoy with loved ones. 

We got to enjoy Connor's first hockey game with our neighbors David and Stephanie. They are big hockey fans, and though the Panthers are nothing to write home about, we all had an enjoyable evening. Connor was hooked watching the activity on the ice and couldn't wait to try out a hockey stick and puck. He took right too it, he thinks it's just like golf. Little does he know. Too bad I like his face too much, because this will not be a sport I think he will play too much of.

 

We also went up for a spontaneous weekend at Disney with Uncle Casey and Aunt Kaitlyn. Lots of rides, food, and sunshine later made for a wonderful day of magic. It was fun because C and K were able to buddy up and do the big kid rides while we went and did Connor rides. Hashtag perfect!

Mike and Sully = BFFs

 I am so grateful that Connor spends his day with Grandma Glenda. It's always perfect for when my school has events because he is able to enjoy the fun as well. Connor had fun at Truck Day, and loved climbing all over the helicopter and fire truck. There were also police cars and ATVs that he was able to climb in/on as well. The next day was Career Day and he was an excellent assistant to Captain Glenda Guise who came to show a 5th grade class her gear and hear her great stories. It brought back so many memories of when mom and dad would come to my school on Career Day. They were always the highlight of the day and my school friends still bring up how much fun they were. I have a feeling we will need to visit the fire station very soon.

Connor is also very easily writing his name....anywhere and everywhere. Grandma's preschool is pretty awesome!!

 We also got to take our family pictures at a special location this year. Based on the sneak peeks I have seen the pictures are beautiful and will be perfect for our Christmas cards. It was our first time at Matheson Hammocks Park, but it's an important place for my family. Great Grandma and Grandpa Guise met at this site, and that is where Grandpa Ernie knew he wanted to marry Grandma Francis. Perfect location for love at first site.

We got to enjoy a day with our church family for an early Thanksgiving celebration complete with a full spread of yummy food and lots of things for the kids to do. Connor's favorite is the tractor ride and this year they even set up a fun outdoor movie. Blankets were spread and little kids were transfixed. It was so precious.

 Aunt Kaitlyn has been working for months to prepare for her part in the Ft. Lauderdale Christmas Pageant and this Friday was opening night. We got to see a preview of the show during dress rehearsal and it is fabulous as always. Connor loved the snow falling from the ceiling, and of course the three camels walking down the walkway are always pretty impressive. I know the pageant will bless many families this year. Can't wait to see it for real.

 Thanksgiving Day was spent at Disney World again this year, and it has turned into a pretty wonderful tradition. There is nothing that holds us to staying in South Florida for the day, and we all enjoy traveling together anyways. Grandma Glenda made a delicious serving of Monkey Bread before we headed towards the parks and it was a wonderful way to start the day.

 Only Disney would have the most perfect Santa Claus, and he was amazing to be sure. He was jolly, and sweet, and would have made even the biggest skeptic believe. He spent such great time with each family, and listened to Connor ask so sweetly for the presents he is hoping for. It's also a great incentive to use on Connor for behavior, because this year we can use Santa's judge of character for good and bad boys.

The day before Thanksgiving we had quite a scare with Uncle Casey. He collapsed in his bathroom when he had gotten up that morning. Not just collapsed but completely fainted and blacked out for about 20 minutes. Luckily I hadn't left mom's house for work, and mom was able to rush Casey to the emergency room while I took Kaitlyn to school and sat with Connor. I was able to let work know I had an emergency and Papa came to watch Connor when I went to work. After many tests they admitted Casey into the hospital for further examination. His heart rate was at 38 when he got there and by the time they released him it was at 45/47. Not great, but considering all of his tests came back clear there wasn't much more they could do. The doctor even gave Casey permission to go to Disney. While I was with Casey at the hospital mom went home to check on Molly who had been acting funny since the night before. She rushed Molly to the vet where they gave her really bad news. Tim was able to drive Kaitlyn to the vet to be with mom as they put Molly down. I'm still not sure how we're going to explain it all to Connor, but I hope when the time comes he will understand it in his own way. It was truly such an emotional day and I am so thankful that the Lord worked out all of the timing so that we could all be where we were needed at the right times.

There is so much reflection done around the holidays. We are so lucky to be able to travel, have our health, and put food on the table. I am so blessed by the people I call family and that we enjoy so much time together. That we are truly there for each other through thick and thin. I have experienced the opposite, and know what it's like to not have that. I'm grateful Connor doesn't know the difference. In his life he is fully loved and blessed, and that's all that matters. Now, only 25 days until Christmas!