Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down 2012 # - I've lost count!

Up:

• We started Elf on the Shelf this year. I was hesitant to join the craze, but figured in the end it might help me coax Jackson to behave better. It has helped a little, but it's been really fun watching him go down stairs each morning to find Scout (that's what he named our elf). Even Kennedy gets excited when she sees the elf! I'm not using too many of the ideas I've pinned on Pinterest yet because I want to save them for when he's older and can really remember everything. I just love this time of year though and it is especially fun when you can enjoy it through the eyes of children. Everything is so magical and exciting when you're that age!
• Our job just got infinitely easier this Christmas. On Saturday we went to the Ops Group Kid's Christmas Party. Jackson sat in Santa's lap and told him that he wanted candy for Christmas - I think we can handle that! He and Kennedy both had a great time playing games, winning prizes, and jumping in the bouncy castles. So fortunate to have opportunities like this available for our kids to enjoy.
• Mike and I had the wonderful opportunity of attending one of the fellow spouse's Capstone Dinners on Saturday night. Our friend, Alex, has been attending culinary school in Boise and as their final project before graduation they have to plan an eight course meal with wine pairings for each course. As soon as she told me about it I already had a babysitter booked, there was no way I was missing out on something that awesome! I figured eight courses would make me pretty full, but Mike assured me that each course would be super small portions since it's culinary school and I wouldn't get full. He was definitely wrong! I was stuffed by the end of the main course and still had 4 more courses left. The food was out of this world as was the way it was presented. Definitely glad Mike drove home because I fully took advantage of the wine pairing as well! My favorite course was the vegetable - chestnut dumplings and Mike's was the soup - roasted garlic soup, but all of them were out of this world. I'm pretty sure Mike's going to check on being permanent invites to all these capstone dinners even when we don't know one of the chefs! Alex did an amazing job and we're so proud of all her hard work. She did all of this while being 8 months pregnant and she already has 2 boys at home, not to mention that the event was on her wedding anniversary!
• Among everything else on Saturday, it was also Mike's youngest brother, Dave's, graduation from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater. Super proud of him and wish we could have been there to celebrate. It's pretty awesome to think that all 5 of the Hefferly children graduated from Texas Tech University! Not only that, but how privileged  Mike and I have been to go to college ourselves and come from families where both parents also graduated college! The really interesting part will be seeing how many of the grandkids will go to Texas Tech too!

Down:

• I feel like my 'down' is always the same. I don't mean to be redundant, but we just don't see Mike nearly enough. His schedule is always unpredictable and different and with all his additional tasks now he isn't home on the weekends anymore either. He's worked every weekend for the last couple of months and super long days at work. I can't imagine how exhausted he is and then he has to come home to us crowding him because we miss him so much. I pray that things slow down someday, but for right now we just have to be thankful that we get to see him at all.
• Obviously the tragedy in Connecticut is on everyone's hearts and minds right now. So much violence in the world. I can't even imagine what those families are experiencing and right before the holidays no less. Can't stop thinking and praying for all those innocent children and thanking God for everyday I get to hold my babies in my arms.

We've been experiencing winter in full force around here. Too bad it's super wet snow and not good for sledding or snowman building.

This is what cartoon time looks like at our house! 

Daddy and I are working on putting the bowl game spreadsheet together for the family and Jackson got to help Mike make his picks!

At the Kid's Fun Zone Christmas Party!

Jackson was slightly overwhelmed, but loved playing the games.

Jackson playing with his friend Annalise!

Peek-a-boo! Kennedy loved the bounce houses too!

Loving Netflix!

Umm....Kennedy it's not time to open presents yet!

Cuddling with her favorite guy!

Mike and I before Alex's Capstone Dinner.

The extensive menu - Mike had the cod for his main dish and I had pork, delicious!

Favorite Thing:

As I've mentioned before, I'm so grateful that Kennedy, unlike Jackson, loves to eat. However, that girl is a MESSY eater! I don't complain too much though because I'd much rather clean up a mess and have a healthy child. When we moved to Mountain Home my mother-in-law, Terry, bought us a Black & Decker dust buster. Best gift ever! I use it in the kitchen non-stop for all the crumbs Kennedy loves to leave behind. If you are looking for a good Christmas gift idea for a loved one that has children, I highly recommend it!