Goodbye To 2017

I was especially thankful for reading through our memory jar this year. I love it every year, but this year it really helped me refocus. Brad and I had gone over goals for the upcoming year, which had me dwelling on what had yet to be done, rather than all the things we DID accomplish, not to mention the moments our kids will (hopefully) cherish that we were intentional about through the year.

And of course, the Stahl Family Highlights 2017!!!
(I'm kinda ready for a new song...taking ideas for next year! ;))

Christmas 2017

Christmas Eve
We spent the morning as a family, Brad mostly building Knex with Makin and me mostly cooking our traditional Christmas Eve soup for lunch and some prep for the next day. Our church has a big service on the green at local shopping and restaurants location, and because I'm in charge of hosting, Christmas Eve has been a bit of a work day for me. Last year it was rainy, so they had to change location. I was excited to see what all the hubbub was about this year. We headed there early afternoon and did some coffee cake drop offs on the way. It was COLD. The temperature was in the forties and we were definitely chilled by the end of the night. What I loved was how many people were out and about who just stopped by to get free hot chocolate or coffee. Many people just stopped and stayed to join in the "caroling" and candle-light service. I loved getting to see that. I also loved that we sang at least four songs by candlelight rather than just the traditional Silent Night. (Those candles helped warm you up too!)

When we got home the kids kept our tradition of opening one gift, followed by leaving Santa his cookies and milk. Oh and of course 8 carrots and 1 candy cane (for Rudolph) as instructed by Santa.

Christmas Day
This was one of the most relaxing Christmas Days I have had in a long time. The perks of this age of kiddos I suppose! (Overall I'm loving the 7/9  age combo!) We were awakened by the piano at 5:58 (6 AM on Makin's clock) and the fun began.

Oh how I love the joy they have at this age!!!

Because we had a low-prep meal Brad and I even got some time lounging on the couch while one kiddo was reading a new book and the other was building a Lego creation. Both enjoyed their gifts throughout the day.

After a late lunch and quick clean up, we decided to try watching It's A Wonderful Life. I wasn't sure the kids were quite ready for this type of a movie, but figured if they got bored they might be excited enough with their new toys to just go off and play if they didn't like it. Makin did do plenty of Lego building while watching, but we got two thumbs up! It was a relaxing way to spend our afternoon and I loved getting them into one of my favorite Christmas movies!

Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas Highlights Week 3

Gingerbread Building
Grandma and Lorelei built a gingerbread Starbucks this year. Lorelei does love a chance to get creative with this, as much as I don't really care for it. She said, "Didn't I make it way more festive than the box?!"













Grandma and Grandpa Fun
We always love a visit from Grandma and Grandpa. Here are some glimpses into their visit. Somehow this visit I got a lot more Grandpa pics...but I guess it will even out over the years!

Bedtime Hugs

Grandpa and Makin got lots of game time together. 

It was one of Makin's favorite things about their visit.

Laser Tag!

Thanks for a great visit Grandma and Grandpa! We loved having you!!!

Movie Nights
We fit in Christmas movie nights each week. This night was Polar Express with some hot chocolate.










Reindeer Games
Our annual reindeer games was a big success this year. We had our biggest group ever, and boy was it an enthusiastic group! I loved the excitement and all the screaming as they cheered on their teams. It was my most organized year and I just felt like the families who came really appreciated it. They all want to make sure we have it again next year. :)

The kids each had a turn choosing a game. Each game was a green plate making up the tree.
Then the supplies for each game were on the tall counter in a Christmas bag.
Lorelei made a cute sign for the chalk board and several friends took pics in front of it. :)

Anticipation.
(If you can't tell, it is raining. Otherwise they would have been out in the yard.)

Jaedynn, Amelia, Savannah, Sophia, Alex, Nayeli
Makin, Charlie, Julia and Lorelei 

I'm just not sure I want to explain each game...so just enjoy the pics! :)

Next year we will probably have a pot-luck lunch but I didn't get it organized this time.
Christine, however, decided to bring a hot chocolate bar. So fun!

Nights Of Lights
In addition to our main street lights, we saw lights two other nights. For one we went to a house that was choreographed to music. For the next we headed to a neighborhood that is known for going all out for Christmas. We have been to this a couple of times, but not last year. Our favorite house is always the one with the penguins. I didn't catch a picture of it but they had one dressed up with swim goggles this year.

Magnolia Market with The Hughes Crew
The last couple of times Mary and I have tried to get together since March the trip has fallen through for various reasons. We were somewhat holding our breath as to whether or not this time would work out. It was hard to schedule something the week right before Christmas, but it was the date that worked the best. It turned out to be perfect to take that step away from Christmas preparations and just enjoy time with these friends we miss seeing each week. We couldn't have asked for more perfect weather in December and were able to spend the entire day outside.

Magnolia Market - coffee and cupcakes followed by the kids running between the lawn,
 the garden and the swing while the moms caught up.

Lunch on the deck followed by a walk to a bridge.

The Sleep Out
The kiddos look forward to this tradition (As do I! It is much easier on me to have something on the schedule that is low prep!) and did enjoy their time out sleeping by the tree. They were looking at an ornament with a village and picking out where all their friends (and teachers) lived. So sweet.

Christmas Highlights Week 2

School Program
Grandma and Grandpa got into town just in time for the kid's school program. While they didn't have any parts, there were lots of songs and some dance moves and actions that kept them working hard for this program. It was quite the production.

Grandma loves to buy them treats from the bake sale they have during the program.

Lorelei with friends Addison and Jaedynn.

One of the group dances at rehearsal.

Makin shot from a friend with good seats.

Half of the 1st graders, cute pic from another friend.

The Galleria
I love the "complimentary" (their word not mine) events at the Galleria at Christmastime. First we enjoyed Slappy's Circus. So fun.

Excited before there were hundreds of kids crowding around.

Then we headed to check out the country's largest indoor Christmas tree. Watching Grandpa and Grandma take a selfie was one of my highlights. :)

After grabbing a bite to eat we headed back to the ice rink and tree to watch the ice skating performances. This included local children as well as some competitive skating couples, followed up by a skating and flipping Santa complete with fireworks coming from his skates...or at least somewhere on him! Then topped off by fireworks at the tree that is in the center of the rink. What a show. :)

This year Grandma and Grandpa decided to head to San Antonio during the week while we finished up school and Brad worked. Seemed like they had a fun time which was great. Then they came back the following weekend for more fun!

Lights On Main
A great fit for a busy day of school followed by DI, heading to main street to check out their lights, which are choreographed to music. We had a great time walking around while listening to the songs play. It was a fun night out as a family.

ICE, Snow Tubing and The Gaylord Texan
This has been on my bucket list for a while, but I think it was actually best that we waited until about this age to bring the kids to ICE. What an experience! We were sure Grandma and Grandpa would appreciate something like this, and it was extra special getting to see their appreciative reactions probably more than if we had just taken the kids! ICE is an event at the Gaylord Texan that they have every year. I have heard that sometimes they keep the theme two years. While I knew seeing all of this carved ice would be cool (not just literally) I did not at all realize how HUGE it all would be. Absolutely amazing.

They keep the room 9 degrees or less.
Makin was definitely ready to head out of there at the end.

Giant mice made out of ice...

The wooden door was so cool.
Made out of ICE people. Ice.

ICE. Are you amazed yet?

Final room was the nativity seen with some music to go with it.

Warming up with some hot chocolate.

We got the kiddos tickets for indoor snow tubing as well. We all had such a fun time. Grandpa and I even joined in on some of the fun.

We always enjoy looking around the Gaylord and this year we met Uncle Bob and Auntie Di so that the sisters could catch up for a few hours. Makin was quite excited to see the trains he remembers from previous years. I am thinking in a year or two I want to try and check this place out at night!