Wrapping up December {in January}

Hello, 2017!

I'm so happy it's a new year. For one, it's no longer election year. PRAISE GOD. For two, I'm flying to New Zealand this year! In 3 months to be exact, and I caaaaan't wait. And for three, January is one month closer to the return of summer :)

2016 was a really good year for us, and I can't properly move on until I wrap it up...

Presenting: December!

We picked a tree...

and we decorated it.

Jana and I went on our annual Christmas outfit shopping day (where we also finish up our Christmas shopping, eat out, exhange gifts with each other, and discuss all of life's issues and problems ;)

We had our first winter storm that left 4 inches of snow...

and we took some family pictures out in it! 

Kendall performed a beautiful music special with two of her friends at our Christmas church service,

Blake sang in the children's choir,

and we found out Cooper grew 4 inches since summer!

we had fun playing in the snow that lasted and lasted (and consequently started our kids' Christmas break earlier than planned.)

I got my first pair of sheepskin slippers and died of feet happiness.

And on New Year's Eve we celebrated with friends young...

and old. 

(Old as in long-time!) 

It was a fantastic night. 

Now here's to a fantastic new year!

'Twas Two Days After Christmas

So I figured I should recap a little.

And by recap, I mean share some pictures :)

First up: Wilson family Christmas at my parents house on Christmas Eve.

The cousins - this was the best of 10+ shots. 

Traditional siblings + spouses picture

My cousin Ben got to join us from Sydney, Australia!

Awesome games from Mike & Linley

There was food and presents aplenty, with a few fun surprises, like this smoker for my brother...

And a beautiful wedding photobook for my parents from Jay & Christine

All in all, a perfect day. 

Christmas morning we had to wake all three of our kids up to finally get things going! Russ and I cooked breakfast together and we had a nice slow morning taking our time opening gifts and enjoying everyone's reactions to everything. 

"Let's take a picture in front of the tree", I said. 

Funny thing... her gift started ringing as she opened it! We've always told our kids they won't get a cell phone until they're 16 and driving, so Kendall had no clue this was coming. We made it to 15 and a half so we decided it was close enough ;)

Mind blown!

Blurry but adorable shot of Blake crying when he got his dream gift... a pair of heelys, haha.

After finishing up we got ready and then headed over to Russ's parents for Halverson family Christmas.

The cousins

Everyone!

There were fun gifts...

funny gifts...

funny moments...

and shennanigans. 

(Yes, Russ asked for Roundup for Christmas.)

We had an awesome day, finishing up with a movie (Magnificent 7) and round two of Christmas dinner before heading home around 10pm. 

Christmas is THE BEST. Hope yours was merry and bright!

Giving Thanks 2016

We've just enjoyed a 5 1/2 day holiday break and I'm back to record the highlights, as is my civic duty. 

First up: the traditional Thanksgiving class party with Blake. 

He made stuff. I looked at it. And wondered why I had shown up at the start of the hour-long party instead of 10 minutes before it ended when school was let out. I should know better by now. 

Next: helping Jana and her family move into their new home in the country! 

I helped Jana clean and set up her kitchen, but the most important part was actually tracking the distance and time from my house to hers so we both know exactly how long we need to give ourselves for emergency TV show viewings together. 

Later that evening: Surprise engagement party for Mitch & Annie!

Oh my goodness, even though I was given a pretty obvious clue as to why we were invited over for a "special evening with Annie and Mitch's families", I still cried and cried and CRIED with happiness for my sweet Annie! We are so happy for her and Mitchell :)

Thanksgiving Day: Gathering No. 1

We loaded up and traveled over the mountains and through the woods all of 8 miles to spend Thanksgiving with Russ's family at his sister's house. (Don't mind B-diddy in the backseat there, he's going incognito for the day.)

It was yummy and lovely and relaxing and everything holidays with family and friends should be.

Thanksgiving Day: Gathering No. 2

Around 5 pm we headed 5 miles back towards home to pop in at my cousin Stephanie's house for Wilson thanksgiving, where we showed up just in time for dessert!

We spent the rest of the evening there, and again... yummy, lovely, relaxing. Family is my favorite.

Late Thanksgiving night: Black Friday shopping!

Mum, Tricia and I were joined for the first time by Kendall and my niece, Debby, and we loved having them along! We didn't get home until 3:30 am but as always, it was totally fun and crazy to be out bargain hunting together in the middle of the night. Of course, I then spent the next three days straight napping my afternoons away. I'm all caught up now ;)