Please note: We also JUST gifted ourselves a new computer since our other one crashed. This means that we are still in the process of getting pictures off of the old one, so you will have to check back for pics to go with our top 10 list at a later date. Sorry!!
Now that December is
here, it’s time again for us to reflect on everything we’ve experienced as a
family this year. With gift giving on
our minds, our annual Monahan Christmas Top Ten List is…
OUR TOP 10 GIFTS OF 2012!
10. Community
College Performing Art Series Season Tickets: a Christmas gift last yr. from Mike's
mom, we have REALLY enjoyed having regular date nights and have seen a WIDE
array of shows, from Duncan Sheik & Suzanne Vega, to Chinese acrobats, to Cajun
Zydeco music, to a Haitian dance troupe, to Dr. John & the Blind Boys of
Alabama—when one performer almost danced off stage!—to Lyle Lovett and Flamenco
dancers. We liked the gift so much we even re-gifted it to ourselves for
this 2012-13 season!
9. $1.50 from the
Tooth Fairy. Although our Tooth Fairy doesn't pay as well as some in the
neighborhood, this milestone marked Henry's first lost tooth. Our boys
also hit many other milestones this year, as Andrew took the training wheels
off his bike, played t-ball and learned to read, and Kyle (almost) learned how
to swim unassisted—or at least he thinks he can (yikes!). Kyle also
started "preschool" one day a week, Andrew is in pre-K, and Henry
started first grade. They enjoyed taking a one-week acting class this
summer (they have a DVD of their movies they'd LOVE to show you), tennis
lessons, swim lessons, and attended Vacation Bible School. Kyle is obsessed with the story of David
& Goliath…and has recently adapted the Christmas story to include both
David and Goliath.
8. Worlds of Fun
& Silver Dollar City tickets. But we love our local & somewhat local amusement parks—even
in the rain! Henry will ride anything he
can...even though Mike sometimes wished he couldn't/wouldn't.
7. A newcousin-in-law. Mike's cousin Josh married Michelle this summer, which
entailed a road trip to NC for the wedding, a celebration weekend with Mike's
family, a beautiful beach house with numerous trips to the beach, along with a
road trip back to KC via Raleigh, Dayton, Indianapolis, W. Lafayette and Quincy/Hannibal
for memorable stops with great friends and our alma mater.
6. A new car!! So this was a
gift to ourselves...but we LOVE it! It is a 2009 Kia Rondo and only had
20,000 miles on it. It seats seven and gets great gas mileage.
Because of our trip in #7 above, and "a certain someone's" frugalness
we can honestly say we got the best deal in the country, even if Mike had to go
to TX to pick it up! (thanks to brother Matt for awesome logistical support and
test driving it for us!)
5. Our WesternCaribbean cruise! Many thanks to my parents for their unconditional love and
commitment through 50(!) years of marriage, who treated our family—as well as
my sisters' families, to a cruise out of New Orleans. We stopped in
Honduras, Belize, and Cozumel. The boys loved the monkeys, water slides,
"dance club!" (which was literally named “Henry’s Disco”), kid
activities and ordering their own dinners. Julie loved the time with
family, being the fastest to complete the cruise scavenger hunt, her first
visit to Central America, and having our "pre-dinner" sodas/wine in
her mom & dad's cabin. Mike liked learning the languages of our waiters,
the after-dinner comedians and racy shows (yikes!), salsa-dancing lessons and
talking with the locals at every stop.
4. Free MOPS
Conference for Julie! In Aug., Julie enjoyed attending the Mothers of
Preschoolers Conference in Dallas, TX, where she learned tricks and prayers for
how to thrive in these preschool years while Mike held down the fort and bonded
with the boys for three days.
3. A spontaneous
family reunion in Wyoming. Just before Thanksgiving, we traveled to Cheyenne, where we
were saddened yet honored to celebrate the life of Mike's "favorite Aunt
Beth" who was such a beautiful person inside and out. It truly was a
gift to be with family during that time.
2. Pinewood Derby Car. So now that we
have a child of "Scouting age" we are selling Boy Scout popcorn,
sewing patches, and enjoying the beginning of (hopefully) a long Scouting
journey for our boys! Henry received his first Pinewood Derby car at the
last pack meeting...so add cutting and sanding to the list above! Along
with Scouts, Henry has continued to be involved on his soccer team, and Mike
continues to enjoy coaching it.
1. The Christmas
Cards we receive from all of you! What a joy it is to see pictures or read about what your
2012 looked like. We miss all of you who are so dear to our hearts yet
far in distance and we thank God for our friendships and family both near and
far!! We have not planned our trips for 2013, but hope to see you on some
of them!
Blessings
and Merry Christmas & Happy 2013!!
