Letting Go and Starting Fresh

I've struggled to keep up with my blog in 2011. I've consistently been behind, and I often panic thinking I've let some moment or memory or picture fall into the digital storage world somewhere on some disk in some box. It's been hard to always be behind, but I am determined to keep it up. The kids will pull out the blog books every now and then, and look through the pictures or even read the entries and those moments of them discovering and remembering what happened in the past are so special. I love looking through them myself, and in those times of reading them I realize it's precicely why I do it. Because I forget a lot of the "little" things. Those moments in the day, or the details surrounding maybe a bigger memory that's become a little hazy. So it's actually January 7th, 2012 as I type this. I've decided to blog the last few "big" moments I'm behind on. A few trips, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Somewhere on the computer and my phone camera are a lot of pictures and moments that probably should have been recorded. But I can't be behind anymore. I have to cut my losses, and start afresh in 2012, ready to do something every week and let myself be free from what I know I will never fully recapture. A part of me is sad to let those moments go, to let them slide. But there's also such a great and exciting freedom to forgive yourself for what you wish you would have done and just start fresh, and embrace a new start. A fresh slate. Instead of feeling guilty on how much I've missed and fallen behind, it makes me excited to blog again. So here we go.

Christmas 2011

Christmas morning is the best morning. Excitement and pj's and all sitting around on the floor together. We had a wonderful morning together. Here are the snapshots. Cole is constantly asking for his back to be scratched. We decided to put the power in his hands this year.

Kevin is giddy because I got him a gift card to Five Hole to get a nice hockey stick.

It just wouldn't be Christmas without some crazy picture Kevin takes of himself...

Mattix Family Christmas 2011

It was strange having such a small group for Christmas time this year, and we definitely missed having Dean, Micah and their families with us. I was worried it might be a bit of a bummer day, but it was a really fun afternoon over at Mom & Dad's. We had a nice Christmas brunch after church, with enough food to feed our family, Dean & Micah's family (if they decided to attend spur of the moment) and probably 2 more families on top of that. There was a ton. And it was all so good. Everyone arrived in their Church/Christmas finest

Dad & Rocky told the Christmas story, and then the adults took turns reading the scripture.

There was a wild opening of presents

And of course the eating. Mom always does such a cute job of decorating the tables.

Spillman Christmas 2011

As usual, it's always such fun when the whole Spillman Clan gets together. Here are the highlights: Cole, Ryan and Adam reading the Christmas Story from the Bible.

Adison and I singing along to Silent Night

Lots of present opening.

Fletcher/Grandaddy couldn't figure out why he was getting so many Barnes & Noble gift cards. Surprise! Nancy/Nana got him a Nook.

David found and completely refinished this beautiful table for his parents. It was painted and he stripped it and stained it! Turned out beautiful.

It was a wonderful day of time together. Including some amazing desserts David & Christi made and brought. The only thing missing was Scott & family. Julia had come down with a stomach bug. They were missed!