New Year/ Old Tradition

This year for New Year's we went to stay in a cabin again with our friends the Nesbitts, the Griffins, and Abells, and Candace.  Last year was so much fun; we had to do it again, and we hope to continue this tradition.  We began the trip again with a hike; this year we went to Burgess Falls.  While at the cabin, we enjoyed hanging out, eating, and playing games.   It is a great way to ring in a new year.  We are blessed with great friends, and we are looking forward to a great year with each other and with them.  

Christmas Day

So,  like always, the boys were up and at them pretty early with the exception of Levi.  They woke him up though right at 7:00.  I woke up with strep, so I am so mad at myself now that these are the only pictures that I got.  Levi was so excited about every gift, and he brought them all to me to take pictures of.  I don't remember much else of the day.  The boys played and laid on the couch with me.  I seriously napped almost the entire day.

Phillip and the boys went to Heather's as we do every Christmas day, and I had to stay home.  As much as I hated to miss out and hated not being with my kiddos, I did enjoy watching a movie with my mom and dad and just lying on the couch.  It is not often that I get to just lie around and sleep all day; it was a pretty nice Christmas gift.  :)

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is my favorite!  And, though I ended up with strep before the evening really got into full swing, I enjoyed this year's Christmas Eve.  We started our day with a little good deed.  Levi and I went to Walmart to grab a few last min necessities, and then we took donuts to the police station.  Levi was so thrilled.  He rang the bell and said, "We have you a present!"  Then he said, "This is the greatest day!"  We then took an ornament to the Garners to hang on their memory garland for Kelsey.  

We came home and played games and watched Home Alone.  Then Phillip took the boys to Christmas shop, so mom and I wrapped gifts.  Of course, Phillip made us a delicious dinner, and that unfortunately, was when I started taking a turn for the worst.  I didn't eat much because I felt so awful.  I somehow managed to get through the Christmas cookie making, and then hit the couch. Phillip had to step up and do reindeer dust and Twas the Night Before Christmas.  Luckily, my Ibuprofen kicked in, and I got to finish wrapping while I watched It's a Wonderful Life!  

Meeting Cade

Well, we just couldn't wait to get our hands on  Cade, so we made a surprise visit to Ohio/WV the Sunday we got out of school for break.  We called Granny and Dustin and let them know, but we kept it a secret from Mimi and Pop Pop because we had the great idea of taking pics of all the grandsons and getting a canvas for them.  We spent the night with Granny on Sunday and visited with Cade (and Dustin and Lyndsey)  We spent Monday morning hanging out with Granny.  It was a special time being with her.  It brought back a lot of great memories because we always spent Christmas Eve with her, and Christmas Eve has always been my favorite time of the holidays.  We had planned to sneak back Tuesday or Monday afternoon, but the boys wouldn't have it.  I told them that part of me wanted to surprise them on Christmas with a picture but part of me wanted to surprise them at their house.  Landon said that "all of me wants to surprise Mimi."  So, who can say no to that.  We drove up to their house and surprised Pop Pop at work and Mimi at home.  We also drug Mimi home with us so that she could be here for Christmas Eve.  It was a fun trip and something that we will never forget.