Post Christmas Blues

Two tournaments, nine basketball games, shin splints and makeup!  That's what this post-Christmas blog will be about...bah-humbug...that's how Christmas has felt this year for some reason.  There's been so much going on that it's truly been hard to get in the spirit.  It's December 31 and there's not one stitch of Christmas in my house.  Decorations are up, tree is down, and my winter snowmen are already out (even though it's been in the 60's this week).  I think we've been too busy with ball and other festivities to be home and relax.  I promise I'm not complaining because I like the busy and know it will all disappear in the blink of an eye with three teenagers in the house.  2020 arrives at midnight, and what comes to mind is that my son will turn 15 in 26 days, Miles's basketball season will conclude in January, and Karson will go to Prom this spring.  It's all surreal.

Karson completed her GSP application and got it turned in this month.  That sucker is a total bear, and she worked on it almost every weekend which was the only time with school and basketball.  Winter formal was also this month.  I thought it would be fun to get Karson's hair and makeup done as a test run for Prom.  We'd booked a time with a stylist from Flynn's, but the day of the formal, the young lady texted and had come down with strep.  She referred us to a friend who did a fabulous job, and it was exciting to see Karson's all glammed up.

 Karson and her gal pals looking fancy!  She and her formal date Carson sure looked good!

Isaac also asked a young lady to Winter Formal.  Since he didn't have actual dress clothes, we had to do some shopping to get him spiffed up.  No hair and make-up for him, but he sure did look handsome (and his date was super cute as well).

 Matt and Isaac got to watch the Titans play the next day.  They played the Texans and lost by three.  It was a close game and freezing!  However, the Titans won this week and managed to make it to the playoffs.  We've got some superfans in the house!

Before leaving for Karson's first basketball tournament in Lexington, we got have some Christmas Cheer at the Garcia's annual Ugly Christmas Sweater party.  We weren't able to stay too late because we had to wake up early and leave for the tournament.  Between one of the tournament games, we were able to sneak over to Geno's Formal Affair in Lexington and try on some Prom dresses.

We played some tough teams in Lexington which is always good.  However, I think playing five games in a row was a little much for Karson as she's been struggling lately with painful shin splints.  She had a few days of rest after the tournament before we hosted the Farmer's National Bank one at South the following weekend.  She played well the first day and got a game high of 16 points, followed by 11 points in the second game.  However, she was in a tremendous amount of pain the next two days.  I got her some compression socks because she was being taped by the trainer.  However, I think rest will be the best medicine for her.  She's been icing and taking Advil to try to alleviate the pain.

Christmas...the boys big request this year was Air Pods.  Karson got some things for Boston (she's going in January with her AP US History/English classes), like new boots, gloves, etc. 

Making Slime with Miles.  Always fun!

The kids always love Christmas Eve at Pops and Meme's.  Karson managed to find the Christmas pickle on Meme's tree and got a $15 gift card. 

After mom's we headed over to the Warehouse to celebrated with Matt's extended Deaton family.  Santa also made a surprise visit.

We spend Christmas morning at our house and afternoon with Pap and Nana.  I didn't manage to get many pictures.  I did manage to get one of Isaac and Louise.  We're looking forward to 2020!  It's going to be a BIG year!

Thankful...Grateful...Blessed

Thanksgiving Break was a nice reprieve with a few days off to relax and spend time with family.  We did lunch with my parents.  It's tradition for us to play Family Feud which the kids always enjoy.  We also celebrated Matt's birthday which landed during the break.  Shannon made him a delicious jam cake.

Christmas Card Photoshoot with Pap and Nana and their grands!

Celebrating with Nana on her birthday earlier this month!

 

Who doesn't go all out for a 43rd birthday?!?  Not Us!!!  Paul planned a fun day which sort of got busted at the beginning because the weather was pretty nasty on Matt's birthday (Saturday, November 30).  Matt's wanted to workout for 43 minutes on his birthday so he and Paul started the morning with a workout.  Afterwards, we ate breakfast at Chick Fil A.  The plan was to go to the WKU game, but no one wanted to stand in rain so everyone headed over to our house for a little while.  Colvin brought some pizzas over and football was on every TV.  The weather started to let up, so the guys headed to WKU to catch the last little bit of the game.  We ate dinner at El Mazatlan and then to the Flippin' Axe.  Paul rented a party van and we rode around town and landed at 440 Main, Great American Donut Shop, and The Office before Matt and I headed home.

The Pogue Family Christmas was the next day (Sunday) in Louisville.  Since our extended families continue to expand, it's much easier for us to celebrate the holidays the first weekend of the month of December.  We used to rotate where (Louisville, BG, Lexington) the event would be, but in recent years, we've been traveling to Louisville and spending time together at Okalona Church's gymnasium.  It's a wide open space and perfect for a large family gathering.

Five basketball games and a lacrosse scrimmage all in one week.  Isaac and the JV Spartans took on the BGHS Purples on Thursday at the Pit.  It was quite chilly, but we enjoy watching Isaac have fun!

We're running all over the place and doing our best to keep up with all the schedules, eating popcorn for dinner, and trying to maintain some sanity during the holiday season.  Thank goodness for online shopping, or I'm not sure how I'd get Christmas gifts purchased.

 It always exciting seeing your child's highlights in the BG Daily News, Twitter and The Sporting Times.

Miles went to his first Middle School Dance on Friday night.  I think he's such a handsome fella!  He and his friend Bryce joined up with a big group of friends for dinner before the dance.

The teens were treated to Chuy's and got to ride a Party Bus to the dance.

 He had a fun night even if it required a belt and dress shirt.

Karson and I got a quick pic with Santa and Mrs. Claus at SKyPAC's Gingerbread Homes for the Arts Festival.