Hamm Family Cruise: Happy New Years!

For New Year's we all ate together in the "fancy" dining room. Then the kids went to the Kids Club for a few hours and DD and Big John picked them up at 10pm to have a grandkids party in their room. Grant and I enjoyed hanging out with the adult cousins and then catching up with Daniel and Winky. Daniel, Winky, Grant and I did the countdown by the pool and after a kiss Grant and I went straight to bed so we could be fresh for Cozumel the next day.

Hamm Family Cruise: Progresso

Our first port of call was Progresso. I hadn't been there before and wasn't sure what to expect, but we had a wonderful day. The kids were pumped to check out the beach and we managed to find a nice spot at a restaurant where we could get food and drinks and watch the kids play in the ocean.

It was funny because right when we got off the boat, it was $40 per person for transportation to an "all you can eat" location by the beach. We decided to take the free bus from the ship into the city and figure it out from there. On the bus, there was an offer for $30 for an "all you can eat" location by the beach. Once we got off the bus in the middle of town, there was an option for $20 for an "all you can eat" location by the beach. We thought about doing that, but then the bus to the "location" was taking so long we decided just to walk to the beach. It was a few blocks away, but we managed to find our own location by the beach that worked out perfectly for us :)

The kids made a new friend, I got a massage while Grant took the kids hutting for shells, and we got a few fun souvenirs including an awesome Captain America cape. This was really the first time that JR was really excited about the beach and the ocean. In the past, he has been a bit nervous, but this time he was fearless and kept going out in the water a bit further than I was comfortable with.

Hamm Family Cruise: All Aboard!

Boarding the boat, Carnival Triumph, was actually pretty painless. While we waited for our luggage to be delivered to our room, we hung out at the covered pool in the back of the boat and ate pizza and ice cream. In our room, the kids loved their bunk beds and Cadie quickly arranged her animals on the top bunk. Our room was right next door to DD and Big John and was on the same deck as the pool so it was very convenient.

Hamm Family Cruise: Galveston

Grant and I and the kids drove to Galveston on Sunday in the Prius. We were a bit packed, but the kids were great on the drive and enjoyed our stop at DQ to get lunch and ice-cream. It was a slightly rough start to the trip because Grant was dealing with some stressful work issues. The kids had also been SOOOO excited about seeing the beach, but when we arrived in Galveston it was already dark, plus it was rainy and cold. Cadie was brave enough to take a quick dip in the slightly heated hotel pool while Ranger and I huddled under towels in a lawn chair. Cadie and Ranger and I then connected with DD and Big John and hung out in their room while we waited for Grant to get off a work conference call. After the call, the 4 of us were hungry so we found a great local restaurant for dinner and then back to the hotel for rest before boarding the boat on Monday. Cadie had a cough so she slept in our room, and JR slept in DD and Big John's room.

After hours in the car together, these two were still on top of each other in the hotel room! Crazy kids.

Hamm Family Cruise: Good-bye Colton

We had originally planned to take Colton with us on the Hamm Family Cruise (and DD paid for him), but at the last minute I had a change of heart. I had a dream that I was standing at the railing of the boat with Colton in my arms, and he jumped over the railing and into the water. I dove in after him and we were treading water in the ocean watching the boat sail away. I was praying someone saw us and that the boat would turn around. I woke up in a panic and called my parents to see if they would consider coming to Dallas and keeping Colton. I was nervous that DD would be sad that Colton wasn't on the cruise, but when I asked her she agreed that it would be safer and easier if he stayed in Dallas.

My parents were so gracious and they completely changed their travel plans to be able to keep Colton at their house for the week. Colton was teething, so I think there were some long nights, but they reported that they had a wonderful time together. They even had a New Year's slumber party with cousin Kiyah! Thank you Nina and Papa!

Merry Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas Day! The kids woke up around 7:30am and loved opening their presents. They were all happy with one exception - Jack Ranger didn't get a plane. However, he did get some birthday money from Grandma Margaret and Grandpa Weldon so we told him he could get one at the toy store the next day. After present, we ate cinnamon rolls and the kids attacked their gingerbread houses which we told them they had to wait until Christmas Day to eat.

The kiddos played and I fixed brunch and at 10am we had a few friends and family over including DD and Big John, Chad Ruback, Deanna, Paul and Carter. We ate and laughed and talked util about 1pm. After our guests left, we all took naps - my favorite!! The kids then spent the night with DD and Big John and Grant and I went to the movies! The movies were packed and crazy, but we still had a good time.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Christmas Eve

DD and Big John wrote Santa a letter and asked him to come a bit early to their house so the grandkids could open their presents on Christmas Eve. We started out the evening going to the 4pm Christmas Eve children's service at church with Deanna and Carter. Ranger and Colton had trouble staying still for the service so Grant and Big John hung with them in the back of the sanctuary.

After the service, we went to DD and Big John's for presents and a casual dinner with Austin, DD and Big John and the 5 of us. Cadie loved her three America Girl doll outfits including a ice skating outfit, ballet tutu and Madame Butterfly costume. Colton enjoyed the pants-free evening playing with new toys and Ranger's favorite was a pair of dinosaur cars.

When we got home Cadie very carefully put out a table by the fireplace with cookies and milk for Santa and reindeer food. She wanted me to be sure to remind Dad to turn off the fireplace so Santa wouldn't have any trouble getting into our house! The kids were tired and all went to bed really easily which was nice for all of us!

Santa Claus

I have a goal of having my kids in matching Christmas outfits at least one time during their childhood, but I certainly didn't accomplish that goal this year. This year we didn't even make it to meet Santa with proper shoes for Cadie so we decided it was best that she just go bare-footed in the pictures versus the bright-white sandals with kitten heals and a white flower across the foot. As he is with much of life, Colton was unfazed by Santa. Cadie and Ranger were both quite excited and Cadie shared with Santa that she wants a toy elf-on-the-shelf that she can hold and Ranger said he wanted a car or a plane.

Scofield Christmas Program

Jack Ranger sang his heart out at the Scofield Christmas program. Dawna, Amanda, Grant, Cadie, Colton and I didn't have great seats, but it worked out well because we just happened to sit where we could see Jack Ranger perfectly down one of the side aisles. He was adorable and waved multiple times to us and smiled the sweetest, huge smile. I am terrible photographer and didn't manage to capture a good one of the smile, but you can kinda of see it in one of the pictures.

The Scofield program is always REALLY long, so we all ducked out after the 3K portion. The gym was pretty full so it all worked out fine and the kids were tired anyway and went right to bed once we got home. Grant drove separately because he went straight from the program to the airport to catch a flight to visit his good friend RJ Sikes. We are all proud of you Mr. Jack Ranger Danger!

The 3K song list:

- Jingle Bells

- Feliz Navidad

- Happy, Hallelujah Christmas Song

- Go Tell It On The Mountain

In the hallway doing final prep.

Cadie Class Christmas Party

Nina and Papa went to Cadie's Christmas Party at school and Grant even did a few magic tricks. Cadie enjoyed the party, but she was more excited for pajama day on Friday. She wore her new Owl pajamas and was adorable.

Christmas with Nina and Papa

We celebrated Christmas with my Mom and Dad a bit early and we had the sweetest party! We decorated the tree, had pizza, exchanged gifts and enjoyed a Grant Walsh Magic Show. Our little party included our family, Nina and Papa and our neighbors Deanna and Carter. Both Grant and I and our kids prefer to host small parties. We love to be relaxed, talk and play with our friends/guests and allow everyone to just be themselves. We can turn almost anything into a party! Cadie and Ranger love to decorate and help me get things prepared for company.

Nina and Papa got the kids Christmas pajamas. I was so proud because the kids loved them and opened them with excitement and told Nina and Papa thank you. They really didn't expect anything more. So, when Nina and Papa showed them the trampoline in the backyard they were extra excited! I was so happy though that the children had grateful hearts and would have been happy and content with pajamas. They were cute pajamas though!

Thank You Brittni

In late-July 2014, Sarah Sims decided to go back to teaching and her friend, Brittni, offered to step in temporarily and help us watch the kids until we could find the right long-term nanny. Finding the right person to be a part of your family and spend a significant amount of time with your most precious little people is a big deal. I interviewed about seven candidates and couldn't find the right person. Brittni was so gracious and flexible and stayed with us from July through Dec. while we searched and searched. Finally Grant found Peyton and she started on Dec. 16. I loved Peyton the moment I met her and am very thankful that we have a permanent childcare solution in place.

Brittni is still going to be our "Plan B" and babysit the kids as needed. She is getting her real-estate license and we wish her the best in her new career! She has loved the kids and been there for us when we needed her. She loves the Lord and would pray with the children and direct them to Jesus. She had a LONG drive to our house, all the way from Forney, TX and she would often have to get to our house very early. She always had a positive and encouraging attitude, even when the kids were having hard days and were difficult to manage. She took our Walsh craziness in stride was great at logistics. On Thursdays she would pick up Cadie from school at 2:30, drop her off at piano lessons at 3pm, pick up Ranger at 3:30 from school and then pick up Cadie at 3:45 from piano - all while lugging around Colton. Thanks for being a part of our lives Brittni!