My Once Upon a Time...

The day after Christmas, my friend Tilly and I packed up all of our crazy boys, and headed to the North Pole! We had never been, and were lucky enough to have snow there as well. Katie had taken the boys to the snow a few weeks prior, but this was the first time for me to see them in the snow.  We stayed at the Little America Hotel, and it was super cute there. We played in the snow until it got dark, went to dinner, until it was time to board the bus to the Northpole.  Our tickets were at a super late time, and this is how the kids felt about it...haha. All the kids in front of Santa's workshop. It was such a fun experience. Each room had a different set up and activity for the kids, and the attention to detail was amazing. Hot cocoa and treats in Mrs. Claus' bakery. At the end, the kids were able to take a picture with Santa (Finn refused), and they each received a teddy bear. The next morning we played in the snow for a little bit longer, before we headed home (it's abou...

While I love Christmas time, I have to admit that I don't necessarily enjoy Christmas itself, and ever since my divorce, it's been even worse. It often feels sad, weird, and lonely, and this year was no difference. Like every year, I went to the Christmas Eve service, which always kind of grounds me. I didn't have my kids on Christmas eve, but I got to see them at their Great-Grandparents' house later that night. Fox found GG's secret toilet paper stash...no wonder Costco was sold out for months...haha! We had dinner, played some games, and opened presents. I got to take the boys home late that night, but just in time to put out some cookies and milk for Santa. I usually invite the grandparents on Christmas morning, but decided to just spend the morning with the boys this year. That afternoon we were invited to Katie's sister's house, where I got to meet my 3-day old niece Aila.  It felt really good to spend some time with this side of the family, because I ...