Goodbye To 2018

We continued our Memory Jar tradition again this year.


















For our 5th end-of-year video I finally got a new song! Can you believe it? Big thanks to Amanda for putting this song idea in her reminders for me almost a year ago. :) I even have one more I like lined up for next year! :) Anyway, hope you enjoy our look back at 2018! Wow! What a year!

Christmas 2018

We headed to Oklahoma for Christmas this year.

My favorite part of the panhandle...other than my parents of course. ;)
The pictures can never do the skies justice but have to at least attempt.
Sunset at our arrival.

Lots of game time.

When your aunt likes your pajamas so much she gets some to match!

Sunrise.

Lorelei did a great job decorating cookies.

A.J. played several games of chess with Makin.

We had a "Christmas Rodeo" as dad wanted to get one calf into a different pen. He attempted to rope it without success when Lorelei suggested, "Why don't you just heard him into the shed there and then you can catch him?" He thought it was a crazy idea but decided to give a try and it worked like a charm! "Pretty good for a city girl." :)

Then came the great plumbing disaster of 2018 we never wish to relive. I will spare you the details here, but suffice it to say, it was a crappy experience.

Then came...all dolled up for the Christmas Eve service!

Lou is always a blast to watch open gifts.

The electric blanket he had been wanting but didn't realize he was getting. :)

Can't I read it now????

Sweet letter, cookies and milk for Santa.
Carrots, a halo and celery for the reindeer.

Nana and Papa's gifts were wrapped as snowmen this year!
Soooo cute!

Cozy fire and Lego building.

Brad played lots of CMA Monopoly (one of L's gifts) with the kiddos.

It snowed overnight right before we left much to the kid's delight
as we have gone several years without any snow.
I had to chuckle at the icicles...this just shows you how windy it is in the panhandle!

Snow!!!

Thank you for having us Nana and Papa!

Christmas Highlights Week 3

Ice Skating
The school December "field trip" is typically ice skating. I believe last year it was canceled because of weather, but this year they got it scheduled indoors and it was perfect! Skating around the huge Christmas tree at The Galleria is pretty memorable. :)

Lorelei and Savannah

Makin and Charlie

Sleep Out
Another tradition I love but it does seem to get more complicated each year. This time they wanted separate air mattresses, which is no easy feat. ;) Still couldn't resist it though!














Christmas Lights
Took a trip the "The Singing House" again with our hot cocoa and popcorn and were just amazed at all the songs and lights.

Reindeer Games
You know this tradition! Such a fun afternoon! We were missing a few from last year for various reasons but had a great time with the kiddos who made it!

Games all ready in bags, numbered for when they choose one from the tree.

Kian and Christine were my helpers and brought me each bag!

We played 10 games. Here is a glimpse at most of them. :)

Snow Blower

Cookie Shuffle

Stack It

Hot Chocolate Marshmallow Toss

Peppermint Stack

Antler Toss

Candy Cane Pickup

Holiday Pie

A couple of moms (and a hubby too) decided to stay for an after party and have pizza and some wine. (Much earned I must say! ;) )

Christmas Highlights Week 2

The Nutcracker
Last year there was a lot of music playing from The Nutcracker and Makin would hum/whistle it a lot. The kids requested getting to see it because they loved the music so this year we made it happen. Brittany knew a place to get affordable tickets. This was a first for all of us as Brad and I had never been before either. Makin's verdict is that he could leave after the first half next time. Lorelei said she really liked it and would go again. Still glad we all got to at least experience the ballet!

All dolled up.

We didn't have seats with Savannah but saw them for a quick visit after the show.

ICE and Snow Tubing
This was our splurge this year. We loved seeing ICE again (and just watched Rudolph the weekend before this) and the snow tubing was lots of fun again.

I feel the need to remind you this is made of ice people. Ice. ICE.

We decided to take a walk around The Gaylord and take in the lights there at night for the first time since we have always been there during the day. Completely gorgeous.

Fancy/Fun Breakfast
This is also my go-to. I showed the kids a few picture options for their breakfast and they chose the reindeer.

Ornaments
Lessons learned in ornament making this year. 1) Paint markers were such a great invention! 2.) Those tiny balls that look like snow are not easy to get into an ornament and do make a giant mess.














Christmas Games Day

Church Program
Lorelei wanted a speaking part in the church program this year and did a great job memorizing her lines and speaking in front of the crowd. So proud of that girl! (When dress shopping this was the dress she felt most important...rather than what she would wear on actual Christmas. :) )

Lorelei with sweet friend Karsyn

Movies
We watch a Christmas movie each Sunday. I didn't get a pic, but thought it might be fun to note which movies we chose this year. The Grinch (a first for the kids and I have only seen maybe once...we chose the "middle one" with Jim Carey but thinking maybe the classic for next year), Frosty The Snowman/Rudolf The Red-nosed Reindeer, and The Star.