Ben turned 5 years old last week, and continues to be a ray of sunshine! He is extremely concerned about growing up, and said that this would be his last birthday... Grandma talked him into one more birthday when he's 6, but that's it! He figures that he'll get enough presents at Christmas each year, and can have birthday cake at everyone else's birthday party. I think he's determined that if he doesn't grow up, he can't die... deep thoughts for this little one.
Happy Birthday, Ben!
His birthday was in the middle of the week, so after school we went bowling at our local bowling alley, which has a totally retro vibe to it - super fun. Grandma and Grandpa and boys joined us for some fun, and then a super fancy dinner at Ben's favorite: Coney Island.
This kid can bowl at 0.02mph
Everyone's personality shining through...
Boys in the super cool bathroom
All our kids had to wait until they were 5 to eat gum - it's a right of passage, and he is so thrilled!
Selfie!
Bathroom chats
Cake at home
We had the family over on Superbowl Sunday for a relaxed birthday party, and Ben enjoyed a Super Mario Bros theme.
Jamie did a really good job decorating the cake!
Wilt birthday song!
Bad guys
Contender for best photo of the year!
A match made in Nintendo heaven
Jam session
Jamie and I did a one-night getaway to Chicago to see a play based on a Sufjan Stevens album - it was super weird and super awesome! I feel like we typically have about 2-minute max conversations before being interrupted at home, and it was so so nice to just hang out together!
Windy, but beautiful!
At the Shakespeare Theater
Do we have to go home?
Oh man, what a heartbreaking end for the Lions this year... I can't believe what a great season it was though! We all went to Ford Field to watch the game against the 49ers, and Andy even flew in from New York to be with his dudes.
After the first touchdown
Zach and Riley!!
Bros on a roof
The girls' basketball seasons are coming to a close. They played for Guardian Angels, and really enjoyed being with old friends. Maggie improved a lot throughout the season, and I'm bummed it's ending because I feel like everything is starting to click! Evie also improved a bunch, though I'm not totally sure if she loves the sport, or just loves being with her friends.
Bounce pass
Get it, Maggie!
Represent
Cuties
Twinning
The girls both went to a winter dance at their school, and had a blast!
My emo girl (who still wants to take pictures with me)
Sugar power
Maggie "got ready" at her friend's house after school This one is growing up fast!
Maggie's crew
Lots of randoms:
Sigh. Maggie was exposed to Starbucks frappuccinos, and is totally obsessed.
Pretty sure she'd eat a can of whipped cream every day if we let her
My sweet boy
Sleepover fun
Pistons game with Grandpa!
Perhaps the best action shot ever
Police headquarters
Mom perks
Evie built most of this herself!
Maple got spayed, so she had to wear her dork-suit for a couple weeks
Celebrating Rob's 40th!
Best buds
Maggie started guitar lessons about a month ago, and is really enjoying it. Her teacher also does piano, so we're going to switch back and forth, but working on guitar right now. She's starting to pick it up!
Singing Sweet Caroline at Frankenmuth stuck with the kids, so now they like to do it at home:
It's the last day of the year, and what a good year it's been! Time keeps chugging along, and we our best to make the most of it. It's been a busy year with a lot of growth for our kiddos, and we are some proud parents.
It's been a really long time since we had professional photos done, so we finally had some taken this fall:
We had a beautiful Christmas at home this year. Taylor Swift totally took over the world, so we went with a Swifty theme for our Christmas card:
We normally do Frankenmuth right before the holidays, but this year we did it afterward with the Rabine clan. I couldn't stand to break our 13-year tradition of going to Bronner's on Christmas Eve, so I forced the whole family to make a couple drives this year! We got to meet Santa and get some ornaments while the kids grumbled about being bored - as is tradition!
Hi, Santa!
Bronner's has the Christmas spirit
Evie requested this selfie with the snowman
Laughing about how annoying our kids are while shopping
We went to Christmas Eve mass, and then had a beautiful Christmas morning opening presents. My sleepy girls still weren't up by 8:30am, so we nudged them awake for poor Ben. My parents came over for a few more presents and a delicious breakfast (mostly made by them!). I failed to get any photos with them, womp womp. Hard to say what everyone's favorite gifts were, but Maggie was thrilled to get an Apple watch, Evie got a powered scooter and lots of black/white tops, and Ben really loved his kinetic sand and bedroom basketball hoop (and was less impressed with his new bike).
Ready for church
Merry Christmas!
Evie wanted a picture in our matching coats
Didn't want to leave my Maggie girl out (Ben just wanted to go home)
Santa delivered! Maple wasn't a problem with any of the gifts or the trees - the dog is amazing!
Waiting at the top of the stairs for the bells!
Apple watch and a giant bean bag
Looking spiffy
One of my fave gifts - Lego mosaics of the kids Finally, a Lego purchase that I wanted! Jamie also got our family photos printed on canvas, love him
Christmas breakfast Unintentionally in the order of their wall photos
Shooting some hoops
Jamie and I continued our tradition of making ornaments for each other. We both ended up picking the same show - The Righteous Gemstones (highly recommend):
Jamie's Ornament - impressive 3D printed Baby Billie's Bible Bonkers!
The Redeemer monster truck! Pretty decent work by this non-artist, humble brag
Later in the day we went to the Donoghues for presents and dinner. The cousins had a great time together as always, and it was good to celebrate with the family.
Donoghue's unite!
The best of the grandbabies... at least they're all looking in the general direction of the camera!
Surrounded by toys and they just wanted to play in the giant bag
Justin 3D-printed us a Lego toilet paper holder
Sweet Janie
A couple days after Christmas, we spent two nights at Bavarian Inn with the Rabine side - thank you, Mom and Dad! The kids were delighted and so happy to have all that fun time with their cousins. Jody and Ed were able to come into town, and we got to see all of John's big kids too!
Most of the Rabine clan
Family
A couple new well-loved faces
Feel the intensity
Celebrating Allison's birthday, followed by a Euchre tournament
Mmm, hot chocolate sampler
Thanks to Bobby and Al for letting Evie hang in their room constantly!
Next Christmas, he'll be ready for the slide!
Ben singing "Bad Blood" with all the confidence at karaoke!
Trimmed this family karaoke of "Sweet Caroline" to 8 seconds to protect your ears:
Deep talks with Aunt Allison...
The kids end of the table!
Grandkids!
Missing John
Laser Tag with the cousins! Jamie was defeated by Pierce, who has gained a great deal of clout with this accomplishment
Air hockey - Maggie was being very sweet playing with Ben's slower reaction speed
Kill the aliens
Off to the Popcorn Factory for Mom's favorite food!
Obligatory annual photo
Aunt Amy took all the girls to see the Broadway production of Frozen for their Christmas gift. The girls were really impressed by it, had a great time!
Ladies night
Dinner at Coney for the win!
Ready for the show!
A few others:
The girls had a skate night with their school, and they did pretty well!
Rocking the blades
Maggie also tried out ice skating with her buddy, and said it went pretty well!
Had a fun dinner with the Reeds!
Christmas sock day at Ben's school!
Enjoying Pops' split pea soup
3rd Grade music concert - she slayed
Cutie
Playdate after their basketball game - they got to do a Christmas market in Berkley!
Being cute at soccer
This girl knows how to make scrambled eggs!
Jamie's mom found this photo when cleaning the basement - ah to be young again!
