Barrett is SEVEN!

Our boy turned SEVEN years old on Christmas day.  I'm not sure I will ever get used to the fact his birthday is Christmas day.

He had cupcakes at my parents house.

Barrett, I know I say this every year but this really has been my favorite age.  This year you played AllStars baseball, flag football, and basketball for the first time.  We have loved watching you learn new skills and work really hard to improve them.  You started PSR at church this fall and you really enjoy going.  It is my prayer that you always enjoy going to church and learning about our faith.  You are so kind and you seem to really enjoy school.  I love watching you learn!  You are the best big brother to AveryAnn, I love seeing your relationship grow.  I hope you are always her protector and cheerleader.  We are looking forward to another year with you and seeing you grow and bloom.  I'm so thankful you are ours.

Then we went to the Horton's for dinner and Christmas and we had cake there too. 

She is a mess.

I'm so thankful that everyone celebrates our boy on his birthday even amid the chaos.  Bless his heart though, he told me he wanted to have a party for his half birthday this year.  I think it's just too much with the excitement of Christmas and his birthday all in the same day.  Plus he doesn't have anything to look forward to for the rest of the year.  We always do something for his half birthday but this year we may try to do a party and then just a little something on Christmas day.  It's just so hard to navigate.

Christmas

We had a wonderful Advent and Christmas season.  I really tried to let go of a lot things and just enjoy the time with my family and soak it all in.  I actually finished our shopping about a week early and was able to really enjoy the season.

We went to Christmas Eve Mass as usual and then back to my parents for snacks and drinks.  Then we headed home to get to bed so Santa would come.

Barrett and AveryAnn must have been good this year because Santa spoiled them.  Barrett asked for a Nintendo switch but we didn't think he was really ready for that.  I'm not sure why Santa thought a BB gun was better but he did.  He also asked for an alarm clock.  Which I thought was hilarious.

AveryAnn got all things princess.  She was so excited about her Minnie Mouse microwave.

Their big gift from us was a trip to Disney World.  It took a minute for it to sink in but now they are so excited.  We leave in a few days and we can't wait.  The Moore's are going with us again and my little brother and his family are going too.  I can't wait to see AveryAnn and Madelyn meet all the princesses.

Annual pj picture in front of the tree.

Barrett got her that little hedgehog from the Santa Shop at school and she was so proud of it.  

My parents with all the grandkids.

Grandmother with all the grandkids.

The Friday after Christmas we went to Cullman with my parents to eat at Carlton's and see the Christmas Pyramid.  We had so much fun.

I didn't take a lot of pictures this year.  But it was a really nice Christmas, for the first time in a really long time that I didn't feel over the top stressed out.  We really enjoyed time together.  I'm so thankful for it.