December Fun

This holiday season has been a bit set apart for us.  We've been affected by illness for the entire month of December to some extent.  Most, not all, of us have been ill, but me specifically.  I've been ill, off and on, all month long.  Sadly, this meant that we missed out on many of the activities that we had hoped to enjoy.  However, we did manage to squeeze some fun in.  

The kids enjoyed baking cookies and making some of the treats we have begun to make annually like fruitcake, cookies, and rumballs.  

Cookie making with Nikolas is becoming a cherished time

They're getting good at making rumballs

We also managed to make an evening out to ice skate.  Nikolas and I stayed off the ice but the rest of the crew all ventured out.  

Hannah began with an ice assistant, but quickly ditched it to free skate.  John did well on the ice with his ankle, which was wonderful to see as the ice is like second nature to him.  He did experience discomfort, but he toughed it out for a bit just to enjoy the ice.  

Everyone tuckered out in just short of two hours, which seemed to fly by. 

We closed out the night with cups of hot cocoa and candy canes.  What a great night of holiday fun! 

Thanksgiving Weekend

 

Thanksgiving is a day of giving thanks for your many blessings.  We may not have had the blessings of extended family or travel in our weekend, but it was super full and we very much enjoyed it.  

On Thanksgiving proper, we enjoyed food, family, friends, and fun.  There was the Macy's parade, the dog show, games, and drinks.  We hosted a friend of the boys' and that just added to our enjoyment.  

We counted our blessings all month long

They made Great Grandma Pree's Pecan Tarts--so yummy!

Riley made a Lego feast

We like to be sure that Thanksgiving is fully celebrated *before* Christmas comes on the scene

This year was the earliest we've ever gotten our Christmas tree--the day after Thanksgiving!  Circumstances were just right so we jumped at the opportunity to head out to the tree farm.  It was a beautiful afternoon and it was great to set up Christmas in our house.  

Hot cocoa on a cool day at the tree farm was delightful

We don't usually visit Santa, but the opportunity was prime so we took it 

Riley put the star on the tree this year

Saturday we attended a Christmas kick off festival.  It was bigger than we anticipated so we ended up spending all day there--it was great!  The boys met up with friends and extended their fun with a game night.  

It's getting harder and harder to get the older boys in pictures these days.  There are more times of divide and conquer than there are togetherness--as is to be expected as they create their own lives.  So, no pictures of them this day, though we did share part of it with them.

Just as we were going to get truck food, Sonja spotted a wonderful stand selling charcuterie boards in a box--a much better buy! 

Sunday we had lunch with another large family from church.  No pictures were taken, but we did put more opportunities on the calendar for us to meet up--such a fun group.  

Blessings abounded for sure--good weather, good company, good food, good fun, good rest--who could ask for more?  A blessed weekend for sure!