Another Christmas

If life was a movie with commercials, I feel like we have been in fast forward for the past month or two.  We are present in the moment and glad for it, but with an eye to what is next.  Where do we have to be?  What has to get done?  What is my schedule and what can we fit in around it?  How can we click fast forward to get to the next "thing?"   Faster, faster, faster, time goes by. 

 

Christmas is over, but not our memories of the time we spent with Coleton and Anthony.  We went to see them the day after Christmas. Tony and Marie surprised us with "Fitbits" to keep us healthy.  We use ours to track our steps, calories, heart rate and sleep patterns.  It's a really cool thing.  I got my first weekly summary today.  It shows that on average, I sleep 4 hours a night and am either restless or awake the other times.  I think that may be a bit off, because it also shows that I take zero time to get to sleep.  In other words, when my head meets the pillow, I'm out.  And, I really do think I sleep more than 4 hours.  Must be the re-set time. 

 

We got the kids a gift certificate to ImaginOn, so they can see a play (when they are older) or take part in a planned activity.  We also got books and some fun things to do.  We got Anthony a farmer driving a toy tractor with farm animals in it that make noise.  The tractor drives forward and makes really cool sounds.  Anthony loved it--unfortunately, so did Coleton.  But, Tony and Marie did a great job of demonstrating the importance of sharing and not knocking down your little brother because you want to play with his toy and you think the adults in the kitchen aren't watching.   "I was trying to hug him," Coleton said after doing the classic football personal foul move that brought Anthony down on his padded butt!   It was one of those moments where you can't laugh because poor Anthony was knocked down, but Coleton was so creative! 

 

It was busy, but it was also a relaxing time in a way, because we just focused on being with the kids. 

 

Tony and Marie are doing so well in their careers and focus in life.  They seem to be at that point in their careers where anything is possible.  Where everything they do is right and golden.  Where they are making a difference in the company and growing in the process. Marie has taken on a new venture that may turn out to be her road to a new business life.  She is doing marketing and sales for Rodan and Fields, the doctors that created "Proactive," but this is more for general skin care and maintenance than fixing acne.  This is her own business and she can take it anywhere she wants to.   Tony is focused on Rio and the next Olympics and has been travelling to get things in motion.  But, after Rio, who knows?

 

We touched base with David and Brenda and found that they had a nice Christmas too.  We hope to see them soon.

 

Enjoy our time with the Charlotte Swegles....

 

Dixie sat under our suitcase to make sure we didn't forget to take her!!

 

 

OMG....can he be any more cute!!

Coleton and a marathon....."CHEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSEEEEEEEE!"

Fitbits and Babies!!

Daddy explains a "task chart..."

 

...While Mommy loves on Anthony!

...and Coleton!!

Coleton and his Papa

 

 

 

 

And tomorrow......well, get the candles, get the noise-makers, get the fire crackers!!!  Get ready for a celebration second to none.....Dixie's birthday!!!!

 

 

MORE TO COME....IT'S DIXIE'S DAY!!!