Randomness

I have been SO neglectful of the blog.  I am really great at posting pics to Instagram.  (So easy!)  But I know I need to keep up the blog as well to continue the journal for us (and the rest of our extended family).  I feel like we have been going non stop lately, but really not doing anything at the same time.  Yeah, I confuse even myself sometimes.  
I never posted the only two pictures we took on Thanksgiving.

I was feeling so very thankful this year.  Brady has been (knock on wood) so healthy this year.  Our monthly doctor visits and sleepless nights (more me than him) are something of the past and it makes my mama heart so very happy.  I just love the stage we are at right now with the boys.  They are such joys and so much fun and they are great kids.  I am blessed. 
My biopsy results from my colonoscopy came back normal.  And my pain has continued so after yet another visit with the surgeon he feels its best to move forward with surgery.  On Thursday I will have a diagnostic laparoscopie and appendectomy.  I am nervous.  But I'm also hopeful this will provide the answer for my pain and RESOLVE the pain.  I've been totally pushing through it every day so I can be present for my boys....and not be a whining wife.  Our daily routine has mostly been taking advantage of this amazing weather.  We spend every afternoon outside playing soccer, baseball or hockey in the driveway.  Sometimes kids from the neighborhood join the fun with the boys.  Its Blake's favorite thing in the entire world...to have Brad or I spend time with him playing sports outside.  And seeing how its helped our relationship (him being less stubborn with me and me having more patience with him) it is completely worth sucking up the pain I'm in to be the kind of mommy Blake deserves.

I complain a lot about our dog, Darcy, but in all actuality she really is a great dog.  She's loving the weather too and she LOVES spending the afternoons out front with us.  She is the most well behaved dog outside and will just chill on the grass or in the driveway and hangout while we play.  Even when other animals go by on a walk, she just chills.  She's in doggy heaven spending time with us outside too.

Thursday evening Brad was going to be home after the boys were asleep.  That can make a really long day at home for me, especially since Thursday is a non school day for Blake.  So I decided last minute to load up the boys for our neighborhood Christmas Tree Lighting Festivities.  There was Santa, carriage rides, a petting zoo, Mrs. Claus reading stories, Starbucks hot coco and just lots of fun.  The boys had a great time.  Brady kept repeating, "I have so much fun!"  And the boys crashed hard once we got home.  Best idea ever!

The horses were very stinky!

Brady was way too terrified of the "giant" to get in the picture.

And Saturday was the first night of Chanukah.  We had a great time having a yummy meal, lighting the candles, singing songs and opening presents at Grandma and Papa's!

That about sums up the most random post ever.  I'll probably go back to radio silence for a bit since I have surgery (and hence recovery) this week.  We have lots of FUN and EXCITING things on the horizon though!!  Stay tuned...