December/January Check-In

Hello Loved Ones,

We wish you a blessed new year!! It's already the seventh! Sheesh! How time does fly!

Our homeschool group takes December and January off, so last year we thoroughly enjoyed using January as a field trip month. The kids would like to do that again but I'm not sure if that will work this year. Maybe a couple. I'm thinking check-ups for all the kids might be the priority right now. Today Mace, Nutmeg, and I delivered meals for Meals on Wheels. Tomorrow we'll do the same.  This might become another yearly tradition for us. Such a great experience it is for the kids and I .

Here are some pictures from December and January. The kids are taking pictures these days too. I'll have to throw theirs up here sometime as well.

 In December the kids take chunks of time to make cards and ornaments. 

The annual greenery hunt for table decorations began with a frolic on the lake. 

Bath bombs for Christmas Eve. She was shopping with me but I managed to hide these from her.

Simple delish breakfast. 

Right after breakfast we drove down to visit with Doug's mom. We had an amazing visit!!! Here are some of the festivities we brought with us. 

She teared up when we sat all around her with her gift bag. "Precious boys" she said. 

Chilling out watching "A Christmas Story."

Back home for lunch and gifts. Found this new zesty cranberry dip. Yum!

Dad was so stoked about this gift! Shark boat for the bathtub. 

Nutmeg hit it right on with the gifts this year. This one from Aunt Jaemi and Uncle Bruce. She loves it so!

Doug and I were so excited about this gift but Basil said he didn't like it for the first 8 hours. Then he changed his mind and loves it now. (phew) Action camera! He's used it underwater at the pool and on the ski slopes! Awesome. 

Ice skates for Nutmeg!!  This man at Devil's Lake shared the track he shoveled at Devil's Lake. Nutmeg says "Skating is awesome!!" 

In the spirit of "special but simple," we did a hot chocolate bar for Christmas dessert this year. The homemade hot chocolate was easy to whip up and these toppings and sides were delightful!

We took another family pic at the church again this year but it didn't turn out so well as last year. So our happy selfie it is for the year. Blurry but joyful. 

Doug and I got all the skies waxed up! 

This was a fantastic tradition for us this year!

We read them over New Year's Eve dinner. 

Oh, how we've enjoyed this tree! It's still going strong. 

And now we have TWO TEENAGERS in the house!!  Wowee!!!