Christmas 2016

As the kids are getting older, I am realizing that I have less and less time with them because they are getting older and older.  I am working toward being more purposeful in the free time I spend with the kids and creating memories during special occasions, like Christmas.  This was a sweet year!

 The kids and I put our massive counter top to great use by having several baking and cooking days.

When I designed this kitchen a few months ago...these were the moments I envisioned.

We got Yaya in on the cookie decorating action as well.  

I just like being silly with my kids!

The kids also made their home made Christmas ornaments. 

We had a friend host a very fun Ginger Bread House decorating party.  With homemade Gingerbread, shaped into little manger scenes.  It was so fun, and smelled yummy!

We were all geared up and ready for Christmas day after all those fun festivities.

 Christmas Day was wonderful.  I couldn't have asked for anything better!

 We had a fantastic morning, just the 5 of us with a custom planned and cooked breakfast by Nicole.

 I LOVE that our kids were more excited about Nicole's breakfast than about presents.  Nicole thought and planned for a week, typed a menu, and did almost all of the work herself.

 She took orders, delivered our food, and even helped clean up.

Once breakfast was over, we had a fun time opening gifts.  Again, I love how excited the kids are to think about, plan, budget for, purchase or make the gifts they give.  They are just best and sweetest kids ever!

Fun with stockings

Hannah made me a hand sewn wallet

Nicole is SO excited about a bucket of buttons!

I was so excited to give the girls these presents.  Hannah got a pair of rollerskates, and Nicole got a pair of rollerblades.  They have both really enjoyed them, and I've enjoy watching them.  I loved skating when I was their age.

Yaya, Papa, and Uncle Justin came over for the afternoon once we were done.  We had a great time with them.  We ate an amazing steak dinner together.

Filet Mignon with Boursin cheese and home made onion strings, apple cider salad, twice baked mini potatoes, steamed green beans with bacon, and honey butter bread.  Mmmmmm

After dinner, we played some fun games like Shut your Mouth and Pie Face.  Many pictures to follow.

This might me my all time favorite picture of Hannah and papa.

This is exactly what I hoped for on Christmas Day.  Special time in the morning with the kids and then allowing them time to just rest and play.  Great food and lots of laughter with extended family.  It was perfect :)

Merry Christmas!

Boating in December

Believe it or not, even though I've lived on the Gulf Coast my entire life, I have only been on a boat a handful of times.  So, when a friend invited the kids and I out a few weeks ago, I jumped at the chance!  Our kids were so excited, and quite honestly...we needed a break.  A day to sit back and do nothing.  I mean, when you are on an island, you can't do laundry, or math charts, or writing, right?

 The kids enjoyed this treats from this little boat that pulled up.  I never even considered that instead of a food truck, there are food boats.

 I. Just.Can't. Even. Believe. How. Fast. This. Girl. Is. Growing

 The whole crew: Harper, Hannah, Christian, Israel, Nicole, Nathan, Saylor, Jordan

 So, these are The Dome Houses.  This was a house that was built in the 80s.  It came into disrepair in the late 90s and when Hurricane Wilma blew through in the early 2000s it began to wash away the beach these homes were once standing on.  One day, they will be underwater.

This was the first time I have seen the Dome Houses in person.

Florida, on the water, in December.  It's something special :)

 Of course, there were some silly faces to be made.

 Sunset NEVER get old!

 So, we must have done something right, despite our misunderstanding with life jackets, because our friends invited us back out on the boat...and Jeremy got to come along too!  Once again, it was good for us to get out of the house and be forced to do Nothing!

 My little Beach Girl, who can't help but to get as much sand in as many crazy places as possible.  I mean...Hannah totally rolls in the sand.  She loves it.  I think this picture perfectly describes her, and winter in Florida.

Obligatory boat selfie.  Smile :)

I'm so thankful for two super fun days with fun friends.  I don't think I want to invest in a boat ( I mean, I can barely find time to do the laundry, let alone go out on a boat enough to feel like it's worth the payment), but it was sure fun to spend a day with friends :)