The Wyers: Blessed

Sometimes life seems as if it just isn't going your way. For example the infamous car troubles you have around the holidays, children that have tantrums when you just don't have time to deal with them, and a chronic health issues that come back when you have so much to do. That was what the past few weeks have been like. But we feel ever so grateful for so many things that have be so wonderful and fulfilling this year.

1) Having talented, entertaining, and helpful children:

Kylie in the Jungle Book. She was a bear. We barely recognized her when she got on stage.

Family celebratory dessert at Oberweis with our little star. She memorized all her speaking parts and even had a solo line in a song.

Lana making the Cheer Squad.

Kylie also took voice lessons and she couldn't wait to have her recital. She sang Tomorrow from Annie and also got a solo in this performance. She has shown so much initiative as she learned her music and practiced without us having to remind her...ever.

We hosted Thanksgiving for the first time and the girls helped to make table decorations for the kid table and also for the adults.

Pears with paper leaves tied to them with twine. Lana did an awesome job putting these together.

Turkeys with trivia questions written on the feathers for the kids.

Pears on display.

2) Starting and continuing family traditions:

Paul carving his first turkey. And cooking an entire Thanksgiving meal.

Annual visit to the Goodman Theatre to see the Christmas Carol. We will come back from AZ to continue this after we move.

Eating at Petterino's Restaurant before seeing the Christmas Carol.

Decorating the banister with our stockings.

Our "used to sing" Santa that greets our visitors, and occasionally scares Paul in the dark when he forgets he is just a decoration. Santa has almost gotten punched in the face a few times.

Our dining room Christmas decorations.

Our kitchen decorated with lighted garland and nutcrackers.

The gifts we make for our friends for Christmas. This year we decided to make homemade Southwestern Spice in honor of our move to AZ. Lana and her friend Symphony were such great assistants and I was impressed with their project management and problem solving skills.

3) Serving others during Christmas. Jenna's company had a "do good" project and bought items for a homeless teen charity. They then went and wrapped over 50 gifts one night.

4) Selling our home in IL, in a terrible housing market and being able to move closer to family in AZ. (All while keeping our current jobs and being able to work from home).