Thursday, January 3, 2019

Moody Gardens Part 1

Brian surprised us all with a trip to Moody Gardens with a night at the hotel and unlimited attractions. We headed down first thing Wednesday morning and wasted no time heading to the Rain forest Pyramid.

The only family picture of the trip!

Lincoln was truly fascinated by everything. He loved being the one to point out new animals and the first to see new things!

In the canopy

Who's that talking behind us? :)

From the Rain forest we went to the 4D theater to see Sharks and later Rudolph.

Next up was ice skating!! 
We skated 3 times while we were at Moody Gardens. The boys couldn't get enough.

We even ice skated together for a few uninterrupted minutes. :)
Love him most! 

For future sake, I have to mention the disgusting skates. They were the wettest, stinkiest, and dullest skates ever. Brian and I hated putting them on and tying them. Your hands and feet stunk after. But nothing soap and hand sanitizer can't fix after and the boys had a blast!

Next up, the Aquarium Pyramid! 
We spent a majority of our time with the sting rays. Lincoln loved touching them with a two finger touch!

Such a cool aquarium!


Shark tunnel 

Lincoln couldn't get enough of the sea lion and Jackson loved the seals. We spent a lot of time watching them swim around.


Wiki stick fun at dinner! 

Thank goodness for some entertainment because service was SLOW!

Monday, December 31, 2018

New Year's Eve!

Our life this year can once again be summed up with Matt Rodman’s song Never Once. The lyrics have been on repeat in my head this week.
🎶Standing on this mountaintop
Looking just how far we've come
Knowing that for every step
You were with us

Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You've done
Knowing every victory
Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful🎶

Never once did we walk alone through all of the CHANGE!! He WAS and IS faithful, and we can carry that with us into 2019. I’m so thankful for that assurance and for all of you who have prayed for us this year! ❤️

Cheers to 2019!

We rang in the New Year with friends, games, and fireworks!

We love the Loucks!

What boy doesn't love fire?!

Love my big boy1

Ready, aim, ...

FIRE!

Happy New Year!

#hartzeveryday2018 Week 52

Day 360: Christmas Eve Service 

Day 361: Christmas Day

 Day 362: I sure do love this boy!

Day 363: Not sure there is anything is better than this!!

Day 364: ;We sure love Christmas break!

Day 365: New Years Eve!
Monopoly until midnight!


Thursday, December 27, 2018

Christmas Day

We had a magical Christmas! 
The boys were up around 6:30 scoping things out, but were happy to play on their iPads and let us sleep a little longer. :)

First thing: Check out stockings!

The boys got one gift from Santa and one gift of shoes for just them, and the rest of their gifts were to share between the two of them.

Boots!

Before they know they are getting a Nintendo Switch!

"I can't even believe it!" Jackson said.
"Did you get this for free? How did you get all this money? Did you put your money together?" Lincoln asked. 

SO surprised and excited! 
They have been trying to save their own money to buy a Switch for over a year!

We must get one picture together in front of the tree.

Matching boots for fishing and hunting!

They had such grateful hearts!

They wasted no time testing out the Switch :)

We cut down on gifts a lot this year. We want the boys to be generous and give to others, but above all know the reason we celebrate Christmas is that God gave His greatest gift of all to us. His Son, eternal life!

Christmas Eve

 Ready for Christmas Eve service 

Merry Christmas Eve!

When you show up for church dressed like your friends :)

Christmas family pajamas, love this tradition! 

Jackson and Lincoln exchanged gifts
Jackson got Lincoln a Pokebook and police set.
Lincoln got Jackson an extreme survival kit.

Then we had our "fancy feast" according to Lincoln of Rootbeer, steak, chicken, Costco mac and cheese, and broccoli. 

 We watched Home Alone and put out our cookies for Santa!

The anticipation high for what the morning would bring. I pray we have the same anticipation for Christ this year!

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

#hartzchristmas2018 Part 2

I was hoping to skip the Elf thing this year, but Lincoln asked sincerely "I wonder when Buddy is coming back?" So alas he came!

Sweet ornament for the tree!

School Christmas parties!

Gingerbread Houses with friends!

 HA!

Brian one upped everyone with his Chattel! 

We came in our pjs and had breakfast for dinner!

New and old traditions! 

 Fun with Lincoln!

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Merry Christmas!

Unto us a Child is born
The King of kings and Lord of lords
And He shall reign
Forevermore, forevermore