Wrapping Up

November and December passed in a flash, full of accomplishments, activities, and friends. Since I didn't keep up with individual blog posts, I'll have to try to wrap a few of the high points into one last big one for the year.

November brings the end of the harvest and this year the kids had a chance to ride in the combine with one of our farmer friends.

Thanks for the ride Clarence!

Anthony earned his black belt in Tae Kwon Do in November. The test was quite thorough, requiring the candidates to perform every punch and kick sequence that they had learned from the beginning of their training.

The belts were ordered and arrived a few weeks after the test, so the instructor presented them to all the new Black Belts during one of Anthony's last classes.

The training for higher ranks requires a much larger commitment than what we're wanting to give right now, so Anthony is finished with Tae Kwon Do for the foreseeable future after having accomplished a very significant and commendable goal. Good job Anthony!

The end of the year also brings winter concerts. All three boys were involved this year; Paxton singing enthusiastically with the first grade in his first concert ever, and the other two tooting their horns in a much improved sixth grade band and a very impressive eighth grade band, respectively.

Mom starting making bread. Again. She's still in somewhat of an experimentation phase, trying to get the right blend of sour and dough in the mix, but the results so far have been quite palatable. Paxton and Anya are of questionable assistance.

Thanksgiving dinner was spent in Decatur with a collection of good friends. Enormous amounts of food were consumed by all. Mostly by me.

Anya and Gwendolyn, busily crafting something before dinner. The two have grown to be pretty good buddies, and usually end up dressed in their princess outfits before the day is done.

After Thanksgiving we went to visit some of our good friends from Peoria. The Mommies went shopping. Everyone else decorated cookies. Especially Anya and Kiera.

Our Christmas break was very relaxed. We slept, played games and built Legos. Paxton is getting quite proficient.

Lots of reading was done by all.

And Paxton lost another tooth. His two top front teeth still haven't come in, so he's got a fantastic gap now.

So, another year under our belts. The kids are growing like weeds, our 'new' house is starting to feel like home after three and a half years, and work is going well. We have many wonderful friends. We're looking forward to 2015 and an abundance of new adventures.