December 30 - You Hurt My Heart

It's been a year since we saw anyone in our immediate family and let me tell you guys, Jillian has changed quite a bit. She is a talker. A chatty Cathy. Hands down the biggest talker out of any of the Cook/Yamokoski cousins on either side. She is one of those kids who will be perpetually moved about the classroom during elementary school because they won't stop talking. Huge personality. Huge sense of style. Non-stop talker!

We went a local park last week to look at the turtles (she calls is 'the turtle park'). She wore her sparkly high heels (insisted on them) and we walked over 2 miles around the turtle pond. She didn't complain once. In fact, she talked the ENTIRE time about her imaginary grandma. Her grandma drives a rainbow colored gummy car, they are going to have a sleepover and eat soup, etc. She added a lot of flourishes to the story in 40+min. 

"this is boring"

A few days ago she rode her scooter to Tammy's to say hello. There is a mailbox near Tammy's driveway (our neighborhood has a community style box system with approx. 30 boxes) and a man was getting his mail. She rode by him and told him "Hello, how are you? I'm going to see my friend Tammy!" He looked at her strangely and mostly ignored her. We went to Tammy's (she has a great backyard with a treehouse, swing and trampoline) and Jillian played while I attempted to chat with Tammy. "Let me tell you something..." is one of Jillian's favorite sayings. Well, she spent a solid 45min talking before I told her it was time for the grownups to talk and go play. That night she told JD that "Momma hurt my feelings by not letting me talk" and then she told me "Momma, you talk too much like me" and "You hurt my heart when you didn't let me talk to Tammy." OMG she is too much! LOL 

In other news, Luke has started tennis lessons! He has had 2 private lessons with a local coach and is in a part-time tennis camp this week. Julia was supposed to be in the camp with him this week but can't participate due to her foot. He seems to be liking it so far. 

Helping with the garbage can..while telling me I didn't let her talk enough to our neighbor who was outside doing yard work

Park fun with all the kids

Tennis time

December 25 - Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas 2020! We missed Uncle Bryan and Karma this year but made the best of it. We did our big dinner last night and JD didn't disappoint. He made prime beef rib roast, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole. For dessert, Julia made delicious chocolate lava cakes. Mmmmmm. Afterwards, we took some pictures in front of the tree, read The Night Before Christmas and put out cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. Once the kids were in bed, JD and I put the presents from our family under the tree. Then we went to bed and waited for Santa.

Santa came! He brought new scooters for the big kids and a unicorn and Minnie hotel for Jillian. 

Jillian was so excited about a Minnie costume, she immediately put it on and has been wearing it all day. She also opened almost all her presents..while sitting on the unicorn. So funny! 

Julia was so excited and thankful for all the thoughtful gifts from our family. 

Same with Luke!

Uncle Bryan nailed it again this year with 2 more giant bears!

The weather has been gorgeous today and the kids have been active all day. Zooming around on their new scooters outside, playing ping pong on the kitchen table, shooting with with an air gun whenever possible (thanks Uncle Jay). Jillian has played with dolls/stuffed animals for hours (Barbies, Anna & Elsa, Minnie and friends, etc). We have several new board games and are planning to dive into those tonight and tomorrow. It's been an amazing day. Thank you Grandpa, Nonni, Grammie, Uncle Chris & Anthony (that Barbie dress is incredible), Uncle Bryan, Uncle Jay, Uncle Greg & Aunt Nicole & Leah and Uncle Greg & Aunt Jill & Victoria & Andrew. 

Merry Christmas everyone!!

December 23 - Twas the Week Before Christmas

Twas the week before Christmas and all through the house;

Julia and Luke worked on a puzzle, both as quiet as a mouse,

Jillian and Mommy baked with for hours with care;

In hopes that our neighbors would enjoy and share,

Tammy and Hannah created an early Christmas surprise;

A special gingerbread house, for a little blondie who thought "I love it, how wise!"

The weather has been beautiful and oh the bright sun!

Time for tennis, flying kites and outside FUN!

We must not forget the #1, 2 and 3 fur baby;

Apollo, Bella, Lucky; they create just a tad amount of hair to clean up, just maybe

Finally I leave you with our own elf on the shelf;

Her name is Jillian Noelle; she brightens up the room like no else else.

Merry Christmas everyone!

December 19 - COVID Hair

I'm taking a quick break from my dimpled munchkins and furry babies to present to you...my hair. I haven't had a haircut since January and rarely post pics of myself, so here you go. I actually used a blow dryer the other day and didn't realize quite how long it was!

COVID hair

New hat a co-workers wife knitted me for our secret Santa exchange

December 17 - Christmas Portraits

Every year I make the kids dress up and take Christmas photos in front of the tree. There is usually a lot of "Smile! Act like you love each other!" and "Luke, stop making faces!" commentary going on and if I'm lucky I get one decent photo. This year I'm happy to say, I finally discovered the 'portrait' setting on my phone and the kids cooperated by smiling! I actually have several great pictures of the kids. Yahoo! Now the pets are completely different matter all together. JD and I tried for 30+min and barely got decent pics. I mailed our Christmas cards earlier this week but not sure they will make it by Christmas with all the USPS delays..so without further ado, our beautiful children!

Human Babies

Furry Babies

December 15 - Netflix and Chill

Well folks, it turns out that jumping down a flight of stairs isn't the smartest thing in the world. Because it just takes just one time to land wrong to ruin your Christmas break (if you are an active kid) and possibly end your middle school cross country season before the first meet. 

Julia did just on Sunday. Eight steps and one bad landing later, she is experiencing extreme pain on the lateral side of her left foot when weight bearing. She went to an orthopedic surgeon today and her x-ray was clear. He said her growth plates are swollen and it's possible it's a stress fracture. She's in a walking shoe for 3 weeks and then goes back for a recheck. If she's pain free, it was just a bad sprain/swollen growth plates. If not, she'll need an MRI to confirm stress fracture and will remain in the walking shoe for another 3 weeks. 

The positives about this...she's doing remote school so she doesn't have worry about rushing around school between classes. We are heading into winter break so if this does clear up in 3 weeks, she will have only missed 1 week of official cross country practice. She is still cleared for swimming and can stay in cardio shape. The negatives...well, it's Julia. She lives to be outside, running, biking, climbing trees, playing catch, football etc. I told her she needs to 'Netflix and Chill' and you would have thought I told her someone died. It's a hard lesson to learn to but she knows she isn't invincible. 

December 14 - Christmas Books

This year we wrapped all the Christmas books and put them under the tree. Jillian picks a book every night, opens it and the kids all read it together (this is something I've wanted to do for years but finally got my act together to actually do it). She is SO excited and loves this new tradition!