Family Fun Night

Yesterday during school break we took the kids to the movie theater and saw Clifford, followed by Mexican restaurant. We rarely go to the movies and I need to remind the kids that the theater is not up and down, up and down, up and down for the whole movie. That was driving me bonkers but luckily there was only a few other families in the theater. Love this crazy crew I'm blessed with!

 

Christmas!

On Christmas Eve Lance had to work but came home a bit early by 4 so we could have an early dinner. After dinner the kids opened up their gift of new jammies and a few new movies. We spent the rest of the evening having family movie night with snacks (although Lance had to go back to the office for another embalming).

This boy sure loves his pup

Christmas morning! Ezra's new ornament from Santa was Olaf, Cora got Rapunzel, and Kimball got a custom made BMX bike.

Hahaha, she cracks me up

New robes from Grandma Cox.....and they haven't been taken off since this moment.

Murphy got a few new chewy treats.

Reading new books

We had a lovely Christmas and the calls stayed to a minimum so Lance didn't have to leave at all. We are so incredibly blessed!!
 

Christmas Traditions

Ezra has been obsessed with Santa's workshop, he just stand there pushing the button and watching with wonder for hours.

Sharing a treat with baby Jesus

We haven't had too much snow yet this year but what little but we have had, the kids made Smitty the snowman.

Our homemade ornament this year was a smore. They turned out adorable!

Decorating gingerbread cookies

Lance and I had our work Christmas dinner at Tito's this year, at the resort in CDA. We even set Joann up on a blind date with Dan Davis and they seemed to have a good time. We also had a white elephant party with about 12 other couples in the ward, it was so much fun! We brought a prosthetic leg and everyone got a kick out of it (pun intended). We didn't have the annual friends party with Liz, Jean, Chris, and Julie due to COVID; some of them are still super cautious. On December 23 we had the Black's and Brimhall's over for a Christmas party. We all pitched in to make a big feast, I played bingo with all 10 kids and each of them won a prize, and we played and visited the night away. It was a fun night in lieu of a usual family gathering.
 

Kicking Off Christmas Right

Kimball's date was with Dad and myself this time and we took him to his very first concert - Trans Siberian Orchestra! This boy has music in his veins and he was filled with wonder and amazement all night long. It was also the first time Lance and I had to show proof of vaccination and I was glad I stuck that card in my wallet because I had no clue it was a requirement for entry.

Christmas piano recital!

Kicking off the Christmas season with our annual concert as the First Presbyterian Church presented Handel's Messiah. Nothing brings me closer to Christmas than hearing that concert. So special.

 

Miles, Cora's Birthday, and Thanksgiving

While we were in Twin for Grandpa's funeral I got to meet Scott and Sydney's newest Pettingill, Miles. So precious!

We also celebrated Cora's birthday while in Twin with both Grandparents which was a present in itself as none of the kids have had birthdays with any grandparents or cousins. Happy 8 years old to you, my darling girl! She's still unsure about baptism and I'd like her to make that decision on her own so we will probably wait until summer or our next trip to Twin. That way Donna and John can be present (John isn't able to travel right now) and it gives Cora time to make her decision.

The day we got home from Twin Falls was also Thanksgiving and Lance prepared all of it. He chose ham instead of turkey and all of it was just lovely! We used the china that Grandpa Pettingill gave to me and having just come home from his funeral it was an added measure of love. This year it was just our little family and I couldn't be more blessed or more overcome with love for them.

Due to the funeral we had to reschedule Cora's birthday party with friends so it was the following week instead. She had a princess party and everyone came dressed up. The girls got to make their own flower crowns, played princess bingo, had cake and presents, and then they got to play for a while. They each went home with nail polish and a pretty bracelet.

Pamela, Audrey, Sydney, and Joslyn.

 

Longer Locks

With Cora's hair getting longer she has been so excited to do different hair-do's. She has such pretty hair even though it is still fine. The bottom half has lost most of it's curl and the top still is not coming in despite the biotin she takes. Maybe one day it will get there or she may just have hair like this for the rest of her life? But she is so darn adorable and I just love her to pieces!!