Christmas Week Fun

This week we have been able to do some fun things together. Monday night we went to the Rockets game as a family. Ragnar's old co worker got us tickets to a lounge where we had unlimited food access and it was heaven for the kids ;)

We had comfortable seats and it was fun to watch together. It's been a while since we have been back.

Sadly the team is in a growth stage right now, so they aren't very good, but we still had fun!

Channing wanted to take lots of selfies ;) I'm scared for when she gets her own phone!

We still love the Rockets. That was a fun phase of life for our family. We made a lot of memories in the Toyota Center.

Next we went to my parents to hang out with Natalie. We made gingerbread houses, candy cane cookies, and sugar cookies. We all felt sick when we left!

We made a mess, but we had fun getting creative!

Natalie just loves Christmas season, we love seeing her joy. 

The candy cane cookies were an art we didn't perfect, but they got better each pan ;) They tasted great even if they didn't look amazing. 

I just LOVE sugar cookies. They are delicious!

We also had a party with our friends where we had a Christmas light scavenger hunt. We had a good time and I am glad we made it happen. Cavin had asked several times and I was tired, but I'm glad we decided to do it.

We drew names and each went in different cars. The Brown, Larsen, Hatch, and Armendariz families each joined us. 

Christmas Eve we spent at my parents home and had a nice day of food and football. Christmas morning fell on a Sunday this year. It was neat to be able to celebrate the Savior with a church meeting. It doesn't happen often. We have church at 11, so we were able to do Christmas present opening and breakfast before. 

I love the calm before the storm of presents. 

Ella found the pickle this year, so she got to unwrap the first present. 

Deacon got a remote control car, Cowboys football and gear, several books he wanted, new soccer cleats, an electronic toothbrush which he had been wanting ;) and other random items. 

Channing got baking lessons, baking items, a new amazon fire case, jewelry and hair items, books, a robe, and other fun things. 

Cavin got the game RISK, a water bottle, kicking tee, ball bag, AirPods, a Germany jersey, a book series, and an electric cello.

Ella got tickets to the musical WICKED, converse shoes, jewelry, a Germany jersey, makeup, art supplies and random fun girl things. 

We gave Ragnar cards that had jokes on it and a joke t-shirt...I am sure it will be the gift that keeps giving! 

We tried to do all matching pjs this year, but 4 of us are in adult sizes, so it was a little harder, so we settled for coordinated ones. 

Ella trying out her new high top converse. 

We got all dressed and ready for church. 

Everyone in our family had a part in the Christmas program. Cavin played the cello and sang in the youth choir, Ella sang a small ensemble and lead the choir, Channing, Deacon, Ragnar, and I all sang in numbers. It was a beautiful meeting. 

After church my parents and Natalie came for a big Turkey dinner. 

We enjoyed the day and have much to be grateful for. I love the Christmas season and the birth of our greatest gift, the Savior. I am grateful for the memories made.  

A New Season Of Life!

After about a year and a half of Ragnar working for Deutsche Windtechnik, this week he began a new job. He had enjoyed his job at Deutsche Windtechnik and had learned new skills. He loved speaking German everyday and the short commute. He had high hopes that the growth of the small company would be a good opportunity for him, but in the end, they just couldn't pay him enough to allow him to stay. The kids and I do like to eat ;)

He had been on an assignment with his previous company to visit Northern Safety and while there the CEO spoke with him and joked that he "needed one of him" in his company. So, a few weeks later Ragnar reached out to see if there was any opportunities there. Well Friday, Luis the CEO met him for lunch, verbally offered him a job right then, he had a phone call with his boss Darren Monday, and Wednesday he had an official offer letter. They hired him as a business development manager. He will work 70% remote (home) and 30 % in office in Laport which is about 35 minutes from here. It all happened so fast. It was the miracle we have been praying for for many, many years. We are so grateful and so excited. 

Here he is officially signing the offer letter. 

This is his first day of work. 

We are proud of him and so excited for the opportunities for growth and career development this job will provide. I have always known he has great things in store, and I pray that this is a pathway forward for him to be able to show what he can really do. Go get em Rags!

Winter Semester Wrap Up!

The kids were involved in so many activities the last week of school. I love to see them all perform and show us their skills, however some nights it was back to back events! I am glad that school is now out and we can enjoy the Christmas break!

Channing had her choir concert which was fun. She loves to sing and is glad to be in choir in middle school this year. 

She was lucky it was on a Monday night and her grandparents and Aunt Natalie could come support her!

Then she had a dance performance with her dance class at school. 

They are still learning, but she had fun and did well. 

Finally, she had a short performance during school with her theatre class and she played the lead role as " Kayden" in the "The Bestest Christmas Ever In Texas."

She was excited. She just loves life and to participating in everything. 

Cavin had his first soccer game as a JV Red AHS soccer player. We were so excited he made the soccer team at school.

He played as a defender and had a good game where they came back from being down 2-0 to win 3-2. 

He then had to go straight to the AHS orchestra concert where he and Ella both played their cellos. The concert was SO long, but they both played well. 

I love that they share their love of music together. 

Ella also had her choir concert. 

She is loving choir this year. She's only done orchestra and this year does both, she just loves music. 

It was a neat concert. She also leads the youth choir in our ward and they have a performance on Sunday. She performed at the Stake Christmas concert "Mary Did You Know" and it was beautiful. She also is writing a song with a few others for the Stake girls camp in March called "Be The Spark", so she has been busy!

Finally, Ella and Cavin tried out for a play with the company "The Worlds A Stage" which are performing "Much Ado About Nothing" in February. Both kids really wanted a certain part and were SO excited to find out this past week that they both were cast in the play and they got the part they wanted!

I am proud of them for trying new things! Cavin was just on the stage crew last year and has come so far in a year after doing Shakespeare camp.

Deacon endured going to all of the events. He is not a huge fan of music or performing, he just wants a ball :) The kids are still working on him. haha. 

I love that the kids are growing and are brave. They are willing and happy to share their talents and I am so grateful I get to sit on the sidelines and watch them shine!