The week before Christmas

Some of my favorite things - 

Christmas cards in the mail.

Lights up in the pattern we put together - I call it the Charlie brown pattern

We did our best to follow this sweet calendar - or get us some great ideas.

Managed to see my child hood pastor - revered Naylor as the was the interim minister at this classic church in Farmington.

Check out this video of Shane playing silent night - love that he worked on this mostly on his own - sounds great!

https://youtu.be/v5QgKtq80Io

Chickens wondering about this white stuff

 

Love that Mazie even popped over for a visit and approved of the new color.

There is something about the crisp morning air with a light dusting of snow that just makes me love everything about this photo.

Love seeing this guy on the basketball court!  He is a rock star!

Cozy evening with the fire, decorations, husband and game of thrones on the not so big screen computer.

Previous nights christmas cookie decorating was nuts - so I figured I would try it again before school.  The kids were up early and motivated, so why not knock out some zucchini bread!  Believe it of not, it was a success!

procrastination

Temperature - nailed it!  

Tulips are in and not a moment too soon!

Christmas Village

I kept hearing about this from other mom's and finally decided to put it on our calendar!  Lets do it.  Nick was on his way to see Star Wars, so this was a treat for Shane, Drew and Oma Sue!

They had a very inviting roaring fire - not many folks in line on a Thursday night.  I hear the line can be up to 2 hours - yikes right?!

Here is where we waited in line (inside) for the big guy.  Check out all that wood!

A bit of anticipation

Of all the years they looked so tiny on his lap, this time they are so big!!  When did that happen?

We even got to see Mrs. Claus

Check out the other celebrities - Rudolph!

This sleigh is going to get some workout coming up!

The experience was closed with some delicious Hot chocolate - as we drove hoe ogling the lights in the area - sweet and simple night.

I must add, the boys both received a small helicopter from santa - right there!  It was super sweet and unexpected.  they rush home to put it together and play with it.  It was a pull string and could fly if pulled fast enough.  Of course Shane's broke the first night and Drew's didn't last much longer either.  Part of me thinks we would have enjoyed it more without the toy.  Wonder what the boys will say in a few years,  do they remember the toy??

Growing the bangs out

That time when you are trying to grow your bangs out and you just need some extra gel.

Amen

Love my kids

We all hit the dentist office and as a treat after we hit taco bell.  Whats not to love.  This photo says so much about our family.

I honestly didn't want to purchase 3 different drinks - they were ALL thrilled with one and could even agree on the root beer - 

this right here I ADORE - 

Painting our room

Rainy dreary day in December and I was motivated to paint (until I got the text from Rebecca about heading up to Mt. Snow!!  They took shane with them - the lucky bugger!!)  I digress....  

Love this transformation from builder manilla, to blue grey (and sometimes purple...) love this color and that I did it!!

Many a podcast I listened too.

Snow all day

Our first snow storm and on a Saturday - BEAUTIFUL.  We could just enjoy it.

6 boys out there and its impossible to get them all in one photo

When you open the nail polish bottle at all costs and use it til the last drop.