Christmas Craziness..

I have to admit, this was maybe the most craziness, yet relaxing, Christmas I have had in awhile. As a family we decided to get together for Christmas a couple days early so everyone could be there at one time. It was so great to see everyone. We started Christmas with the entire Schartz family coming to GB for a huge celebration. It went very well and it is always so good to see so much family. It seems like every time we meet up, there is always a new face joining the family. I love getting to see my cousins and it's so hard to believe the next generation is now becoming what we all once were.
After that, my family all got together for "Christmas Eve". With two 2 1/2 year olds and 2 under a year, Christmas isn't quite the same. The best word to describe it would be..chaos! I love them all, and so blessed I got to be with them as long a I did, but wow, how our lives have changed!! :) After the kids went to bed, we were able to play games and enjoy some quiet time!
The next morning, we woke up to many presents and two VERY excited little boys! I do have to admit, watching them unwrap and get so excited really showed how awesome life is! After we opened gifts and had some lunch, we all went our different ways. I headed to Lindsborg for the night and got to enjoy the Ferguson family Christmas!
On actual Christmas, it was dad, mom and I left, and we definitely took advantage of it. We slept in and just relaxed. We went over to Larned for lunch with my grandparents an had a nice afternoon of playing cards. When we returned home the three of us enjoyed lifetime Christmas movies and fell asleep
Being home was such a blessing and I am so glad we were all together. Even though there is more chaos in the Keeley house, I wouldn't change a thing!

I didn't get many pictures, but enjoy the ones I did!!

Toes in the water..

You get the idea..Yes..that was my entire last week and I loved it! I was able to get to go to Hawaii and have an amazing time! My brother's basketball team played in a tournament on Oahu and my parents and great friend Andrea and I were all able to join and help cheer them on! (I did miss one game, but I knew they could win without me)
We started the trip by getting to take a nice seven hour plane ride over and leaving at 5:00 in the morning..definitely not my cup of tea..but beggars can't be choosers. I had a list of five things that I had to do when I was there other than laying out (which happened frequently).
It began with parasailing. I had never gone before and I was very excited for this adventure. We got to go up 800 feet, which was plenty high for me, and it was beautiful. The ocean went on forever and I couldn't believe I was "sailing" over it.
Number two on my list was Pearl Harbor. I had been before but it is something that is so moving. We got to take a boat ride over to the USS Arizona and see the actual remains of the ship.
Sight seeing goal number 3 was Diamond Head. It is an old volcano that has a trail up to the top with a beautiful view of Hawaii. We made it up and back in just under an hour!
Goal number four was to attend a luau. We went with the team to Germaine's Luau, and even though a little out dated, it was a fun atmosphere and Hawaiian experience.
Our last goal was to go snorkeling. My brother scheduled this, and because he is used to getting up at 6 due to his kids, apparently he thought we all should. So with a not so happy Beth..we headed to Hanauma Bay. It was pretty choppy water, but we were still able to see hundreds of bright colored fish, and some even saw sea turtles!
When not doing all these awesome activities, I was laying on the beach trying to get some sun! We enjoyed walking around the strip and going in to a lot of stores and looking from the outside into many VERY expensive stores. We ate at very "beachy" restaurants from Margaritaville, Hard Rock, Cheeseburger Beachwalk, and Shore bird!
I had a great time, and sad it had to end. I was very excited to return back home in Kansas to spend Christmas with my entire family! Congrats to my brother and MNU as they beat the the number one school in the nation. And this shout out is not near enough of a Thank you to my two amazing parents for this wonderful vacation! I am very blessed to be apart of this family!!

Best Time of the Year

Christmas is such a great time of year. It brings a whole new spirit to everyone and so many things are going on. Christmas lights, Christmas trees, Christmas music, Christmas shopping, and Christmas weather. However...here in Louisiana it has yet to get under 65.  I know, crazy, but I like it! Last weekend I was able to go to a tradition here in Monroe that begins Christmas season. There was a firework show, lighting of the Christmas tree, dueling pianos and a rooftop party.  It was such a beautiful night and I am so glad I was able to join in!