Last Day

These three landing in my bed this morning, after all of us sleeping in 'til 8:15, isn't a bad way to start the last day of 2016.

Celebrating tonight with Trader Joe's appetizers, sparkling cider, family game night, and east coast countdown.

Santa Came

We have had a truly lovely Christmas Week. Santa did show up, and here is Christmas morning before it was invaded by four crazies:

Rey waited with the kids, then ran straight to her Santa pile! Too funny.

I barely took pictures. I guess I was more in the moment and have been feeling generally lazy this week - or rather enjoying down time. But here are a few favorite things. Big present for the kids this year was an Xbox One. We have all been plenty spoiled.

One of my favorite things to wake up to on lazy days - kids buried in books:

It was nice having church on Christmas Day, and we enjoyed a wonderful Friendsmas Dinner with the Osmonds. So lucky to have great friends close when family is far.

During the week we enjoyed our toys, sleeping in (until 8am!), friends coming over to play with new stuff, organizing and putting away Christmas (not the tree yet, though.) We saw Sing and really liked it. Adam and I have been watching tons of movies, which I love this time of year. Lord of the Rings, we watch all three every Christmas. Sully, Hidden Figures, Florence Foster Jenkins was great. Diving into our screeners. Today we got out and enjoyed warmer weather - spent a day at Six Flags!

Time with Cole while the big kids rode bigger rides:

When we left around 5:30 the park Christmas lights went on and it "snowed". Perfect ending to the day.

Thankful for a happy and healthy Christmastime.

The Night Before Christmas

Woke up and spent the first couple hours of the day cleaning the church, which was actually a very nice start to Christmas Eve. For the kids, especially, because it came with donuts. But serving and working together as a family really does feel good. Came home to an afternoon of cleaning and movie-watching, getting ready for the big day.

My kind of Christmas Eve dinner - Cafe Rio and no cooking or dishes. The Bartys were eating there, so we met up with them. Nice to spend an hour with great friends.

Afterward we drove around and looked at Christmas lights.

Christmas Family Home Evening, then set out treats for Santa:

And don't forget the reindeer:

These three are excited. Even though they're growing up, there's still so much magic for them. We have a few good surprises.

Tried to get one with the puppy:

First Christmas with our snuggly Rey.

Love this, and so true.

The children are snug in their beds. Merry Christmas to all.

Two Days Til Christmas

Cleaned house, Rogue One!, lots of rain, in pjs by 5 with Christmas cookies and screeners.

Today's Christmas

Gingerbread attacks:

 Easy menu planning, Trader Joe's run, delivering treats to friends, Christmas dinner date. Finally went to Backwoods Inn after years of driving past to little league. Highly recommend!

Zoo

Since I have the zoo pass this year, we decided to head down. Some fun friends came today, too! Plus got to see Anne and her family.

One reason I wanted to go was to see the reindeer, but this is the only shot I got! Lame. She seems uninterested in visitors. But they did have about four reindeer out, and they were pretty neat.

The animals were out. Jaguar, otters, rhino were favorites. We saw the bird show, ended up at the playground with a massive leaf fight that got everyone nice and dirty.

Wasn't crowded at all (no school groups!) Spent our time, since we weren't on a time crunch, but the rain chased us out eventually. Came home to warm showers, hot chocolate, and a Christmas movie.

Gingerbread

Project of the day. Step one - build 'em:

Step two - lots and lots of decorating:

We each got our own. My ski chalet came out pretty cute if I do say so myself:

Of course he made Star Wars:

Also, finally got Tyler the McDonald's milkshake he'd been craving for weeks. Treated the kids to lunch and the play area. Got some wiggles out, and they had so much fun together.

So Long Lava Girls

Team party tonight. Audrey got a giant trophy and "Heart of the Team" Award. Cute to hear her coaches speak so highly of her. Proud of our girl, her athleticism and fighting spirit.