Christmas Letter 2013

When looking back on 2013 there's really only one word that can accurately describe our year.....EPIC! It seems to encompass so many of the things we've felt this year. Blessed, Joy Filled, Content, and Excited!!! It really has been "Our Year" as a family.  Last year at this time we had JUST moved into a larger house, three doors down from our previous house, with our three little ones and were ready for a year of just "relaxing". I now giggle at that word as it has such different meaning for us during this phase of life. Fast forward one year and we haven't done much relaxing at all, but we wouldn't change a second of it.  This year I realized for the last 5 years our Christmas cards have pretty much been focused on moving/house renovations or having a baby. Because last year we finished our renovations and moved, this year we had added another little Mitchell to the family! Tessa Margaret Mitchell was born on September 26th and has been an absolute joy from the moment she came into our lives. We were certain the nurse was wrong when she said "She's adorable and has a full head of dark hair". Nat and I both looked at each other and thought she was confused because our children aren't born with hair, and what is there is CERTAINLY not dark. Tessa clearly knew that being the fourth child she needed to stand out a bit and she's done just that. She's a very "go with the flow" kind of baby, which I don't take for granted at all. Her dark, out of control hair just adds to that sweet personality. She is simply the BEST and we couldn't imagine our life without her.

Another major milestone that happened this year was sending our first born to kindergarten. This event may not be a big deal to some parents, but it about put this mama away. Luckily my doctor was able to prescribe some migraine medicine that I could take while pregnant (no joke) and we have officially adjusted to our new normal. Myles absolutely LOVES kindergarten and has become quite the little artist. His artistic skills have honestly surpassed mine at this point. Just like Tessa's hair, I have no idea where he got these genes from. I am AMAZED at how quickly he learned how to read and how much he has changed already since the first day. The entire process has made me stop in my tracks and realize how quickly my kids are growing and REALLY prioritize where I'm spending my time. Theses days are just flying by so quickly. He is still absolutely obsessed with all things farming and is counting down the days until his next tractor ride.

 

Tyler started going to preschool 2 days a week. He seems to still be clinging tight to his "shy guy in public, wild man at home" persona. His ability to not talk is beyond any comprehension I have. We hit a major milestone at school recently when he actually talked to his teachers. It may have only been a few words, but after 3 months we are rather excited and will take it!! He is one crazy man and we can't wait to see what he will do down the road. One thing that was a pleasant surprise was the love Ty already has for Tessa. He is her protector and nobody better mess with her. She is one lucky little girl. Now that Myles is in school every day, Ty has really stepped up as my little buddy at home. It has been fun to see him grow into that role.

Our sweet Natalie has had a big year. She finally has hair!!!! She's still one petite little nugget, but now she's a petite nugget with cute curls. This year Natalie has transitioned from our little monkey to our little ninja. This sweet little bitty can get into all kinds of trouble in no time at all. She's quick and quiet. The moment that Nat and I realize that she isn't in the room where we thought she was there is a moment of sheer panic and then we both go flying through the house to find her. When we do find her in the midst of her shenanigans she flashes her smile and you realize that once again you will end up cleaning up the mess together and just sighing because we all know it will be happening again, and probably before bedtime. She is one curious girl. One thing that never ceases to amaze us about Natalie is how darn tough she is. She may be small, but she is tough. She seems to truly be the prefect mix of sugar and spice. Much more sugar, but when the spice comes out, you better be ready. She loves her pink dresses and shoes, but has no problem digging in the dirt and playing soccer with the boys. She is EVERYTHING I could have asked for in a little girl and then some.

 What a difference a year makes!!!

Besides just surviving life with 4 young kids we were able to get some traveling in this year. We took a trip to Minnesota in June where we were able to visit family and friends and the kids got some awesome farm time. No matter how much time we spend there though it's just never enough for the kids. With Nana and Papa buying a new camper we're looking forward to many more adventures!! We also got the opportunity to take a trip to Gatlinburg, TN, with my sister and her family.  We would never have been able to take such a fun, adventurous trip by ourselves with me being so pregnant and trying to keep up with the kids. We did sightseeing, hiking, and even some garage sales. I'm rather proud to say that even my nephews enjoyed the garage sales and can see why I love them. It was a proud moment for me!!  I was in HEAVEN and truly crushed when they had to go home.

 Nat took one for team when it came to house projects this year. One promise I had to make when we were considering buying this house was that I wasn't allowed to ask for a house project to be done in the first year of living here. That lasted about 2 months, but we learned early in the new year that we were having a new little one so figured we better get them done before we had 4 kids to chase. We've painted the entire interior of the house, moved the laundry room upstairs, turned the old laundry room into an official mudroom, turned the old coat closet into my office space, and turning the porch into a screened in porch. Nat's handyman skills always amaze me. All of the projects have made life so much easier for me and I am so thankful for all he does. Goodness knows putting up with me for 8 years is a full time job!

Other than that, we've just been hanging out doing nothing. :-) Here are some pictures from our Epic 2013. I am absolutely blown away by the gifts God has given us and strive to raise our family in a way that truly glorifies him.

A farmer in the making!

 

This was an absolute blast. My cousins and I got to get all 8 of our kids together in January. It was so fun to think of all the adventures we had as kids and now our kids will be able to do the same!! Here we are with our little girls who are about the same age difference as the three of us!

Celebrating the best daddy around!!

CLEARLY we are a pretty serious family....

Our first Minnesota igloo

This was how we announced our pregnancy to our family.

A very rare moment for these two! So thankful I caught it on camera!!

Myles loved another soccer season with is buddy Nathan.

It is impossible to keep this boy from being a farmer. I LOVE it!

You know....a typical Friday night for us.

 Life is always better with Nana and Papa!

Buddies for life!

Love these sweet faces.

Such a little lady.

I'm pretty sure Ty will be on the show "Hoarding, Buried Alive" one day. This boys loves his "treasures" and has to have them with him at all times. It about drives his clean freak of a mom crazy.

Preschool graduation one was awesome, and tear filled, day!

Trying out the bunk beds in Papa and Nana's new camper. I see MANY fun adventures happening here.

Natalie showing the boys how it's done. Ty....well he's just being Ty.

Gator fun on the farm.

Visiting friends is ALWAYS a favorite part of my trips back home.

What? Not all girls dig in the sandbox while wearing a tutu? Weird.....

Pretty sure Nana time is the best time.

Having some fun at a state park. Myles was not as happy when he came home with poison ivy...again....

Relaxing with her Jordy while on vacation together.

I am so scared I will blink and these two will be 18 and 16 and no longer allowing me to dress them in cute little animal shirts......TIME SLOW DOWN!

Hiking in Tennessee

Have I mentioned how much we LOVE having family visit us!

One last night of freeze pops in the back yard before school starts.

Have I mentioned just how hard this day was for me? Oh I have....Well it was horrible...

Love. This. Life. 

On our way to the hospital to have out sweet girl. One last picture as a family of 5!

Meeting Tessa for the first time!

Words can't express how amazing it was to have Nana and Papa here for Tessa's birth.

Frist family photo as a family of 6!!

Heading home!

NEVER want to forget these moments. They are priceless.

 She's pretty proud of being #3 in the family line up!

Huge thanks to my sister in law for all of her wonderful photography skills.

These quiet moments of love and teamwork are the best! (until mom shows up with the camera, but oh well.)

 Two years of awesomeness!

Daddy and his girls. And YES he literally bought a bigger gun when he found out he would have 2 daughters. No Joke People....

 So much sweetness.

Halloween Fun!!

My ninja in action. Tessa has not been left unattended since this happened.....Here I thought I was being the good mom by actually putting her in her crib. Nope, it barely slowed Natalie down.

That awkward moment when you realize that you and your 1 month old daughter are wearing matching outfits.....

Farmer in the making.

 Tessa's expression says it all!!

Our sweet Cheeks McGee and her amazing, out of control hair.

 It was an absolute honor to get to have my 93 year old grandmother get to meet Tessa. Tessa's middle name is Grandma's name as well as my middle name.

 

This is how we pass the time on long drives.

My Minnesota born Myles was outside for about almost an hour. My Kentucky born Ty, 15 minutes...tops....

Ty and his Thankful Turkey

My favorite moments are the silly ones.

Pretty sure she's trying to do some dance moves here.

She has her boxing form ready to defend herself from her siblings.

Daddy's little 1,2,3's

Never a dull moment around here.

Merry Christmas

Love,

The Mitchells