2019 December Doings

Putting up the Christmas tree and lights is one of my favorite things because it is a signal that Christmas is coming to my house. I love the light that comes into the house and the extra physical reminders of the Savior. There are fewer helper elves and for some this seems to be evolving into a checklist item instead of an opportunity to spend time together and maybe reflect on Christmas memories.

Graigry decorating the small tree

Neta going above and beyond the
hanging of ornaments. :)

Christmas Day

It was a simpler Christmas, which was okay. I didn't have the savings I usually do, to purchase gifts, so there were fewer boxes under the tree, but we still were able to enjoy ourselves. The first Christmas was simple too. I loved watching the kids open each others' gifts and the excitement they had for each other.

The Grinch
Brought to you by Nate & Neta's gift to Ro

Nate LOVES his duct tape

Time together

*I've been having technical difficulties with my videos playing. If this one decides to play, I will try to include others.

Large Fries
In case the video doesn't play, Neta gave Ro
some cash filled "fries" to help her with
college expenses.

I took the days between Christmas and New Year's Eve off. Because one of the CCHA partners is a board member at Connor Prairie (a living history museum in Fishers), I was able to get free tickets to their Christmas on the Prairie and so we went as a family. I enjoyed myself and was grateful that the wind wasn't blowing. It was cold, but warmer than previous nights. Graigry did a lot of complaining and pleading to go back to the car. Whiner.

There was a tubing hill that the kids liked.
Too bad the line was so long that we could only do it once.

We also went on a hayride through some lights. I tried to take a picture, but the flash, well....

...little too bright for the unsuspecting eyeballs
and too bumpy for the phone camera.

Playing in reindeer feed (ie corn kernels)
Neta invited her friend Ohna.

Kids on the Carousel

We did everything that was at no additional cost. The carousel was the last thing before I felt we'd done what was available and we headed back to the car and home.

The torture was finally over! We headed back to the car and drove home. Next time, I'll go with different children, or by myself. I enjoy looking at Christmas light displays and the holiday environment, even when it's cold. :)

NATE IS FOURTEEN!!

I know I say this a lot, but time goes by too fast. I have memories of Nate toddling around with his cute curls that seem like they were only, you know, last week. Nate had been waiting all day to open presents and shoot his bb gun (Christmas present from one or two years ago) and finally got to do both after dark.

Opal was part of the security detail,
inspecting every package 

Nate's favorite cake is eclair cake, so that is what I made. My candle supply was low, so I made do with what I had to make a 14. It definitely wasn't 14 individual candles.

NEW YEAR'S EVE

The kids love the permission to stay up late. They kind of do their own thing until just about midnight. We watched a movie, kind of as a family...

Watching Instant Family

...then grabbed our pots and utensils... (quieter version found below)

In case you wanted a still and quieter version
of the video above. :)