The Twelve Days of Christmas, Not Really...

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 12 basketball games in one week.  Just kidding, but it sure does seem like we spend more time in a gym than at home these days.  Miles is playing for the undefeated Nets team this season.  He's hooping it up with his buddy Hunter (left).

 It's hard to believe this is his last year of rec. basketball.  I'm not sure how passionate he is about continuing on with the sport past 6th grade.  I asked him at one point if he thought he'd try out in middle school, and he seemed indifferent about it.  I love watching him! He's exciting on the court, and he's good.  I'm hopeful he'll continue with it, but time will tell.  He might also have the opportunity to play on the boys golf team in middle school, so I guess we'll see how everything plays out next year.  Until then, we're having fun with the current season!

Quality time is spent together at Rich Pond Elementary School gym/cafeteria.  It's sometimes the only time Matt and I can hang out throughout the week.

 

Our Special Olympics friends on the BG Express and BG Force played last weekend.  It's always a treat watching them compete. They are always excited to have SWHS fans there to support them.

 

 Karson continues to power through basketball season.  I especially love the picture above captured by the BG Daily News.  I love how she's attempting to block-out.  I call this picture "Short Girl Problems."

 

 

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 11 crazy relatives...I've certainly got more than that, but we made our annual family trip to Opry Mills last week.

 We begin the trip at Dave and Busters where the kids spend tons of dough to come away with Fun Dip, Sweet Tart Straws and Nerds Ropes.  At least we didn't end up with stuffed animals this go around.

 We did a little shopping and ate lunch at Claim Jumpers. Normally, we do an IMAX movie, but Isaac wanted to get back home for the Youth Group Christmas party.  Plus, Karson and Matt wanted to go see the Special Olympics b-ball games (mentioned above).

Isaac loves GPYM and our fearless leader Brian DeHerde.  He came home with a Spiderman Chia Pet which is currently nestled in my kitchen window waiting to sprout.

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 10 Gingerbread Houses and three cute builders.  Every year SKyPAC hosts a fundraiser called Gingerbread Homes for the Arts.  One of the layers is our Community Day where families can come in, watch/listen to entertainment, visit Santa and build a Gingerbread House.  We usually have quite a few leftover which means I always bring one home for the kids to build.  I snagged one for Mae Kathryn this year.  She was extra cute assembling her creation.

 Me: Mae Kathryn who's your #1 best friend?
MK: Mouse (aka Miles)
Me: Who's your #2 best friend?
MK: Mouse
Me: Who's your #3 best friend?
MK: Eyeyik (aka Isaac)
Me: Who's your #4 best friend?
MK: Karson
Me: Who's your #5 best friend?
MK: Pap

Doesn't get much cuter than age 3!!!

All my favorite people who help me keep my sanity at SKyPAC School Day Matinees.  We welcomed around 900 kids to SKyPAC during the GHA event.

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, nine winter formals...and finding attire to wear.

Isaac and his 8th grade buds at the South Warren Middle School formal. Thankful my nephew Evan Maglinger supplies us with a steady stream of clothes.  Isaac doesn't sport a lot of "dress" stuff, but it comes in handy for events like formals. 

 Karson and her friends at South Warren High School's Winter formal which was the SAME weekend as the middle school.  Aren't they lovely?!?  Hard to believe we're already halfway through K's sophomore year.

I LOVE this picture.  It reminds me of something off The Bachelor.  This young man, Harrison, and all his dates.  Such a cutie!  He did buy Karson's ticket to formal, so I'm guessing she ended up with the dramatic FINAL ROSE - hah!

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...two notes that made my heart happy from teachers...

If you know Isaac, you know he's a character.  He's witty and loses (or gets grounded from) his phone on a constant basis because of his smart mouth.  To know him is to LOVE him!!! I got the funniest text from his Future City teacher last week.  Such a ham!  Karson's Spanish teacher sent me this email a few weeks ago.  We've been surrounded by great schools and teachers in Warren County.  I'm thankful my kids are so loved!!!

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a farewell to Thanksgiving lunches at Plano.  Miles group was the last to go this year.  I haven't attended the lunch in year's because the boys never really seemed interested in me coming.  This year Miles asked at the last minute if we'd come eat with him.  Sniff, sniff - love my little Panther.

The three amigos playing in the leaves!

 On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, more SUGAR than I can handle.  Good grief!  What is it about this time of the year where you pig out on SWEETS 24/7.  I've eaten Puppy Chow, Chocolates, snack nuts, flavored popcorn, and the list continues.  It's insane how terrible and AWESOME I feel.  Tis the season for belly aches but totally worth it!

Karson and I made her new favorite Christmas treat - TIGER BUTTER - this weekend.  It's almost gone.

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, THE POGUE FAMILY CHRISTMAS.  We spent Sunday afternoon visiting with my dad's extended family for the holidays.  Since Christmas is a tricky time for getting everyone together, we try to do our family Christmas early in the month.

 The kids were so good this year, they got presents from Santa Claus!

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, my YEARLY Snapfish photobook.  This sucker is a Labor of LOVE each year.  I usually don't complete the current year until almost an entire year after the fact.  Thank goodness for this blog account - I'd forget all these fun details and memories!

 

 On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, school Christmas parties to round out the week.  I'm happy Matt is able to be at Miles's school events.  He was able to go to his Winter Party on Friday.  He told me Miles's face lit up when he came in the classroom.  It's hard to believe this is his last round of Plano parties!  Graduation is looming...

 

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL TITLE for the South Warren Spartans!  What an exciting season they have had!

 On the first day of Christmas, my true love (Matt) gave to me, three of the greatest Christmas blessings I could ever ask for!  We are truly grateful to have these three in our lives.  At the end of the day, family is what really matters.  We couldn't ask for a better one!  Happy holidays from our family to yours!!!