Paul wanted to buy a live tree with roots so that we could plant it after Christmas. It was a huge ordeal, cost a lot, but what a story.
The cats weren't sure what to think.
To add on to Hawken's hydroponics, we studded out the hidden room in the basement and got it insulated to make a cozy spot for the plants. We hired Paul's friend JC Turner, to do all the wiring and most of the studding. Paul helped a ton and did all the insulation.
Decorating the tree was fun. We don't have a ton of things we've kept through all the moves, but some special things have come along for the ride. First, just the boys helped, then Lullaby and Paul joined in and we got it finished.
How perfect that it looks like these two kitties are posing for the camera. Ha haha.
Play date on the tramp, even in the cold. Wild things.
I got a fun cookie idea from combining a few ideas I've seen in the past and came up with this cute little elf, holding presents.
I brought them to Della and her friends for their Christmas DUP meeting. All the ladies lined up and took pictures, I felt so special.
Snuggle kitty Pumpkin and Lullaby.
My dad's birthday was a hard day for me, but I saw little old men who were dressed like him a million times that day. It made me smile every time. Plus it was the first day it snowed enough to stick and we took some pictures which we ended up printing out for the Christmas cards.
How cute does my little yeti look in the snow?!
Homeschool stuff I liked:
Our neighborhood is FULL of families who give neighbor gifts. I got tons of them and got to work making ours to return. So much fun.
The kids went sledding every time we got even a half an inch of snow. I'd come back from the store and there they were, walking down the sidewalk to the park.
I made snow angel cookies for the first time. It was so fun, and really tricky. The little people were TINY, and took lots of patience. Our friends requested Boba Fett cookies, and after looking up who that was, I decided he was too boring to make into cookies. So, I added a Boba Fett helmet to just ONE cookie, for Jace, who wanted them.
We drove up into the mountains to Tibble Fork Reservoir but the ice wasn't thick enough, so we sledded above the parking lot instead. After a while, we stopped for cocoa and cookies. This has been a tradition two years running.
Great Grandma Berg used her church building to have a Christmas party for the family. Santa and the abominable snowman both came. I got sick the day before, and didn't end up going, but everyone else had a great time.
Snow Baby found a new favorite spot to keep warm in the winter. There is a little heat vent right under that cabinet.
Paul, Hawk, and the other Deacons in his church group went to Airborne and I got this GREAT shot of him from Paul. He doesn't take many pictures, but the ones he does take are always keepers.
On our way to the best sledding park in our neighborhood, and there was barely enough snow on the sidewalk to sled part of the way down. We stayed and played there for HOURS that day. Paul joined us after a while and helped build jumps!
Paul took the kids up to the mountains to try out snowboarding for the first time for the boys. Lullaby stayed on skis, and is a pro! They did great for their first time.
Hawken got a label maker for his birthday and we keep finding little labels all over the house. It makes me laugh every time.
I accidentally took a picture while Jolie and I were FaceTiming, and after looking at it, I saw that she and I were making the same face right at that moment, ha haha.
Our backyard becomes a fort and snowman building mecca whenever it snows. Hawken and Jonny worked to build a castle that took them several days to complete.
Then warming up and watching movies. Jonny is just my 5th kids, who lives at someone else's house sometimes.
Paul and I were invited to an ugly sweater party. He won for his sweater in one of the categories. His had a skateboarder on the front made out of tinsel.
Paul took the kids skiing and snowboarding and this is the only picture I got.
Sunday dinner was much busier than usual, Ryan and Megan were there with their kids, Steph was there with her kids, and Colleen was there with Saras. Most of the time it's just us with Grandma. The more the merrier.
Our neighborhood had a luminary walk again this year and it was SO pretty. We were asked to be one of the warming stations and set up a little fire and hot cocoa and cookies. We pulled our chairs out into the street and said hi to all the neighbors who stopped by. What a great neighborhood.
Movie night watching Edward Scissorhands. I love watching all the Christmas movies.
Keeping up with the Brewers on FaceTime. They are such a great family.
The Harmers came over for some Christmas fun and games. We played the pickle game, they made us a brand, we ate food, decorated reindeer doughnuts, and played pass the present. It was a good night.
Lindsey also bought me a little necklace, which I love. It was super nice.
Matix wanted to be dropped off at the sledding hill to practice on his board.
Jonny came with us to the Children's Museum and they were busy for hours!
