MLK Day

I spent time explaining to Carson why Martin Luther King Jr. was such an important person. In kid speak, we talked about being nice to others regardless of your differences and that life is precious, and that hurting someone because you don't agree with their beliefs is not acceptable. When I tucked Carson in on Monday night he said to me, "I think it is really terrible that someone killed Father Looper King, Mom."

I agree, Baby. Proud mama, I am.

We enjoyed family time outside on MLK Day.

Karate Kid

Carson has officially started Tae Kwon Do! It's twice a week and he's in love.

DC Trip

I had a work trip to DC the first week of January. We decided that Nate would join me since it's been about six months since he and snuck away for a "sans kids" trip. WE.HAD.A.BLAST. DC is fantastic! I had never been and truly loved that it's a "walking city" in and around Capitol Hill. We had great food and wine while on the trip. (I would revisit The Grill and The Bar, both in Georgetown, again!) We took a three hour guided tour around the US Capitol, the White House, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, WWII Memorial, FDR Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial and the MLK Memorial. We also hit the National Archives to check out the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence. (I picked up a Lincoln coffee cup and a FDR book while there!) The Holocaust Museum was the only museum we visited and one I think everyone should visit.

We ended our trip with a day of travel back home. My parents manned the ship while we were gone. They've agree to visit us again, so the boys couldn't have been too hard on them. :)

A few pics while I was on the clock....and thank you PwC for the fabu room with a view at the Mandarin.

Christmas 2014

What a whirlwind?! We spent Christmas Eve at Nate's parents before heading to Nate's Aunt Barb's house for the Hagen Christmas Eve celebration. It was with a heavy heart that we thought about Uncle Dave this holiday season. Barb gave each of us a gold angel ornament for our trees in rememberance of Dave. She told us that we all have an angel looking out for us and asked that we never forget the times we celebrated life with Dave. I know we have a caring, considerate and selfless angel looking out for us all!

Santa visited our house Christmas morning and delivered a trampoline! I'm not sure if the boys liked their candy-filled stockings or the trampoline more, though the recent nice weather has definitely given the trampoline the nod. My parents came to our house around noon on Christmas Day. They spent a few days with us and helped us work in all the toys the boys were given. Spoiled is the immediate word that comes to mind.

Christmas Prep

Did this really happen? It's all a blur, but I'm certain we enjoyed it. The tree went up after Thanksgiving and spent over a month up despite the fact that the timing of Thanksgiving short changed us a December weekend this year. We did our usual stuff this year - adopted families in need from back home, picked out gifts for two boys via the St. John tree, decorated a gingerbread house, attended the STL Children's Christmas program...I'm exhausted, and can't wait until Christmas 2014 rolls around!

Thanksgiving 2013

We road tripped it to Kirksville for Turkey Day. The boys loved the trip and explored every nook of Uncle Jeff and Aunt Melissa's house. On our way back home, we stopped off at Mizzou. After climbing on a tiger that is apparently not supposed to be climbed on, playing a bit of football on the intramural fields and raiding the bookstore, we made it home with just handful of Tiger stuff.

Snow Days

We have had hella snow days this year, forcing me to get creative with the boys. While I am certainly not the Martha Stewart of stay at homes, I have 100% enjoyed the days I've been stuck at home with the boys and can honestly say that I've held up my end of the snow day bargain. Both boys will tell you that they rather be at home with me than at school. : )

St. John Soccer Season

The season came to an end after what seemed like 5 months of games. Carson's confidence and skills definitely improved, and he was the number one defender on the team, always the first down the field to protect his goal. (He seriously can fly!) We can only hope to be with Nathaniel, Keegan and Brayden again next year...bring on the Fall 2014 STJ soccer season!