With the Middle McKee's in Town

The Middle McKee's came to California for the week between Christmas and New Years and we did all the things--game nights, sibling date, adventures big and small, Leatherby's, park days and walks and maybe the crowning event (for me): a Taylor Swift themed NYE party titled I don't know about you, but I'm feeling '22. We miss Jord and Mad, Lucy, Ollie and Rosie all the time, and I love the feeling that we are complete when they are back in Sac. It was a great week and I'm so grateful that they went through the nightmare of Covid travel to be with us. 

I'll never get over triplet pictures! 2022 will be big for them--they're turning 8 and getting baptized! They are three miracles right there, and have been from the start. I'm obsessed with them. 

If the party was at our house at any time that week, this is where I found my kids for at least 30 minutes leading up to their arrival. My party-love has clearly passed down to the next generation. 

Sibling date in the box seats for a Kings Game. We cheered and danced and laughed and played and it was so fun. This Christmas sibling+spouses date night is one of the events I look forward to the very most all year and it didn't disappoint! Also, Kings win!

All eight of us (heart eyes love them!)

We forced all three M&M's (Michele, Madelyne and Meghan McKee) to come work out with us at Orangetheory. They rocked it and it was so fun, but they'll probably never get rid of the coaches who now have their numbers and will be begging them to join our gym. Sorry friends!

Last year one of my favorite Christmas activities was ice skating, which was crazy to me because I hate the cold, ice skates usually hurt my fragile feet and I was afraid of grumpy kids who were hanging on me. It was actually the best!!! I was looking forward to it this year as well, but of course we were scheduled for a rainy day. We could have transferred our days, but the kids insisted that we skate anyway! It was cold and wet and probably a little crazy and it was also a blast. The kids were somehow happy even though they were soaking wet and cold and I couldn't wipe the silly smile off of my face--especially when they played really good music. It was so good and I'm already excited for skating in 2022!

River walks with our crew were so good. I love the fresh air, and our town is really showing off with it's beauty lately!

Don't mind me as I wipe away a tear because this NYE party was honestly as fun as it gets and everyone played along with my crazy requests (sparkles and sequins and breakfast at midnight and red lipstick and dancing and Swiftie-style games and hipster hats). I love parties and NYE and Taylor and clearly, my family loves me haha!

I don't know about you, I'm feeling '22. And yes, I bought this shirt just for NYE haha!

Chrismasy Things

Christmas parties and Christmas Sunday's and Christmas Nativities and Christmas sibling exchanges and Christmas pajamas and Christmas brunch. (Not to mention app nights and movies and work parties and school events and sports programs!) December is busy and I love it so much--all the excitement and cheer and anticipation from my little crew who I adore. I'm grateful for them and how magical they make this season! Here are just a few self-explanatory shots of our Christmas season.

 

Quinn's 1st Wrestling Tournament

I'll jump right to the punchline: Quinn was the champion of her weight class in the take-down tournament! It was her first tournament, it's her first year of wrestling, and let's not forget that she was the only child in the tournament without wrestling shoes (mom fail, she wrestled in socks!) But it didn't matter! She was tough and fierce and strong and flipped her opponents around like she owned them. Her physical intuition is a wonder to me and I sat there through the whole tournament (also my first) in total awe that she knew what to do, where to move, how to win. There's not been a sport she's touched so far that hasn't found her on top and is it fun? HOLY COW IT IS FUN!!! I love to watch her go. (Also, she made kids cry. I guess that's a thing in wrestling because there were so many tears around that mat. Some of them were caused by the cutest blonde girl in hot pink socks!)

Quinny and her wrestling buddy Tru.

Def going to buy her socks. Def going to buy her a unitard. Def going to buy her headgear. Def going to be her biggest fan for the rest of her life!!!

Ev's Christmas Concert

I was shocked when Everett told me he wanted to join the choir. I didn't know he liked to sing--or that he could sing for that matter. I have not a musical bone in my body, so the thought that I produced someone who does, well that's just about the best news a mother can learn! He has been 1000% committed to this crew and has loved every second of it. He gets up and gets ready on his own for his early Wednesday morning practices and he's always on top of the latest choir news--concerts, dress codes, events. He practices these songs, oh how he practices, and his voice is perfect in pitch and tone. Our family showed up thirty minutes early for his first Christmas concert and parked ourselves in the very front row. I laughed and smiled and cried as I watched this group of kids sing holiday songs with enthusiasm and spirit. We are so lucky to be at a school that puts such an emphasis on the arts. We are so lucky to have a kid that takes advantage of the amazing opportunities that he is offered. Gosh, I loved this night! And especially my Everett.  

Second row from the top, all the way over to the right, that is my cutie-pie Ever Knight. Oh my goodness I love him, and I love all of these kids and their angel voices.

Everett was enveloped by people who love him. December is full of so many activities and is a good reminder of how lucky we are to live close to family. The McKee's showed up in a big way!:

Dairy Queen with the superstar and his fan club. We got blizzards and hot fries and then went and looked at Christmas lights. It was just the best evening.