Happy Birthday, Graydon!

 Graydon is SIXTEEN today!

2008 

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2023

In just a few short months, we'll have another driver in the family! (In Indiana, you have to be 16 plus 3 months to get your license). So far, Graydon appears to be a pretty cautious driver. I know that's not always the case for boys his ago, so I'm thankful for that and pray it continues, even when he gets more confident on the road. Graydon enjoyed another season of tennis and track this past year. He continues to focus on lifting/gaining weight. When this kid has a goal, he is very motivated and can often accomplish it. Band/saxophone has started to take a backseat. He still plays in the band at school and likes his band instructor, but he doesn't practice at home like he used to. (Part of this is also that his bari sax is huge and would be a pain to bring to and from school every day). He went most of the year without playing much video games, but Fortnite has seen a recent surge in popularity and he's been enjoying connecting with friends while playing the game lately. Since we've moved into a new house, he and Curtis are back to being roommates. Thankfully, they get along really well. One plan Graydon has into the new year is finding his first job. Of course, conditioning for track season will begin in January as well, so he's going to have some competition for his time. 

As I scroll through these photos of birthdays past, I'm amazed at how much Graydon has changed - especially in recent years. He's such a fun kid and watching him grow up is such a joy. I'm proud of the person he is becoming and am so happy to celebrate him today! Happy Birthday, Graydon! We all love you so much! 

     

Christmas

The day before Christmas Eve, December 23rd, I found myself with little to do. Everything had been pretty hectic and busy up until that point. Suddenly, I didn't have anything else I had to do. I was able to spend a good chunk of the day reading, which was dreamy and glorious. That is one of my very favorite ways to relax. In the midst of a busy season, it was such a treat. 

Mabel got into a bunch of Kit-Kats and got herself very sick. Here she is on the mend snuggling with Bella's elephant. 

Christmas Eve

Now that Andy isn't a pastor and we don't attend a Moravian church anymore, Christmas Eve definitely felt different this year. We initially intended to attend the Christmas Eve service at Hope Moravian, but in the days leading up to it, Andy started to feel like it might be somewhat difficult for him. I also felt like, if we attended there, he would still feel the need to show up as "Pastor Andy" instead of just as Andy. So, we decided to go to a different church that evening. 

We ended up at the church where Sam's (Bella's boyfriend) Dad is a pastor at. I had to take this selfie with Andy because it was the first Christmas Eve in over twenty years that we got to sit together. 

I enjoyed seeing how another church celebrates Christmas Eve, but I did find myself feeling sad and missing our church family and the traditions of our Moravian Christmas Eve service.  It was nice, however, to be with Sam's family and I really enjoyed the music at this service. They also had a spot for family photos afterward.

Cute couple alert!

"Santa" didn't come until after 5am because these Kilps kids stay up way too late. Even though our kids are older, I still love for them to go to sleep with an empty tree and wake up to presents. 

Christmas Morning

Christmas "morning" didn't start until about noon since these boys like to sleep in on Christmas vacation.

Christmas Day is typically a lazy day and I love it. After presents, Bella and I played Guess Who, we all watched A Charlie Brown Christmas, and then we played some cards. This year, we are back to our regular holiday travels of heading up to Wisconsin the day after Christmas. I love how this makes Christmas last a whole week! A lot about Christmas felt very different this year, but I'm so thankful that some of the most important things have stayed the same. 

Church Christmas Program & Band Concert

Andy's last Sunday as the pastor of Hope Moravian was on October 27th, but it wasn't our last time attending a church service there. Our boys are still involved in the youth group, so they were part of the Christmas program. 

They reenacted "The Charlie Brown Christmas" and I think this was my favorite of all the programs they've done in the past. Curtis played Linus and Graydon was a narrator. 

This was my favorite part. It's when Linus tells Charlie Brown what Christmas is all about. Curtis said, "Lights, please." When he did, the church lights went down and a spotlight went on him. Just like the movie! I loved it!

The next evening was the boys' band concert. This event was also held at Hope Moravian. Both boys play in the same band now. 

 

Proud of our boys!