Such a wonderful past month as to begin the winter season! Well, first we completed the Fall soccer season with our final Team Party. Then Thanks giving break was here. We packed up our truck and headed up North excited for a full week of family time.
We drove into Poppa's for a wonderful post road trip evening, minus a slight melting pizza in the oven mishap. The next day was our first Thanksgiving dinner at Sean and Jamie's beautiful home. The Natal's and Grammy and Grandpa all came and we had a blast enjoying each others company, playing games in the great outdoor weather, preparing for a delicious dinner, and laughing through the evening as all the cousins slept in the same room (Jacob was there in spirit but he was in the next room sleeping).
Off to Grammy and Grandpa's we all then went for Christmas morning. More great food followed by the kids getting spoiled with presents before the Natal's had to head home. We played some more, went on a walk around the neighborhood, and had some relaxing with the McFarlands. Grammy of course took some time that day to take the girls on a fun shopping spree.
We joined up with the Marty's and Poppa the following day at the Epicenter for lunch, bowling, and bounce house fun since it was raining that day. Afterward the girls got some gymnastics time in and even Mommy got to help coach with Darcie.
We headed back to Poppa's Wednesday afternoon to help prepare for the following days festivities and to set up some electronics around the house. Thanksgiving morning was actually our next Christmas celebration at Poppa's when the Marty's arrived. We all took our time opening gifts, catching up on life in general, and slowly preparing for the afternoon arrivals of more family, food and fun. Auntie Sheryl and Jerry came with Jonna and her girls Alex and Emma, also Kathy a friend of Poppa's joined the party. The house worked out great for hosting its first full blown Thanksgiving dinner and deserts galore!
We are lucky to have such great family all around and cherish the time we get to spend together!
Friday we headed for the long journey home. On the way we made a quick stop to see the Natal's play some flag football with their friends. Other than that the trip was un-eventful, but long. We did however get to see some snow on the mountains and on the side of the road over the Grapevine.
It was good to have a couple of days to prepare for the week ahead with Daddy heading to a work trip in Atlanta. We also squeezed in some family time to go out to breakfast and to a movie to watch Frozen 2.
Cienna had her first wonderful Middle school band performance that week. And the girls gymnastics Holiday performance that they have been working on for months now was finally here. They had a dress rehearsal on Friday before we all spent the entire Saturday starting with set-up, followed by two very successful performances, and then tear down and clean up went far into the evening. It was a long but rewarding day.
Sunday was our first go at getting some Christmas decorations started. We got up the lights and some indoor nick nacks were set up, we even got the tree set up (the tree lights and ornaments would have to wait). Mommy and Kaylee spent many hours that day also learning all about the Cahuilla tribe for a up coming school project. The next holiday activities included Whoville Family Night at Carver and the girls had their gymnastics holiday potluck and secret Santa gift exchange for the whole team.
That weekend we even had time to finish decorating the tree and set-up the train! Saturday evening we joined the Bakx's, and Schafer's on a lit up walk along The Naples Canals. We even got to see the boat show along the way. Then Sunday we all made a ton of Peppermint Bark and dipped pretzel sticks to share with friends and family. It was our first time attempting either one, but think it was successful.
Finishing up the month, Kaylee had her first school Chorus performance, and a class field trip to the Getty Center, and Mommy had her coaches holiday party at the gymnastics center.
Going through life together, is what makes it great! The girls just keep figuring out life each day (we haven't told them that you'll never really figure it out) and growing into kind, adventurous, silly, stubborn, smart, and wonderful people with personalities all their own. We look forward to what each day will bring.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/B66WrLeGoDU3hdi36
No comments:
Post a Comment