School Movie Time

The last day of school before winter break they do a movie day. Where everyone wears their pjs and the children watch a movie in the gym.

Payton and his two best friends Samuel and Mason got to sit next to each other and my little man shared his blanket and pillow with them. It was so cute seeing these first grades get so excited about sharing a blanket and getting to watch a movie in the gym.

Mason, Samuel, and Payton

Maddys rules over her Bumpa

Last year my dad had gotten Payton some cool Buzz Lightyear slippers and Madison some princess mittens and matching hat. Well little princess had really wanted some slippers but we couldn't find any.

A few weeks ago we were in Target shopping when Madison found Hello Kitty slippers and demanded that she called her Bumpa.

Maddy had pretty much yelled at Bumpa asking if he remembered last year and he was suppose to had find her some slippers and that he never did. She told him to go to Target and get her a pair and then send them. I think my dad was in shocked that he just got told by a 5 year old but good oh Bumpa went to Target and got her her Hello Kitty slippers. And once again we have a happy little girl.

No Good Flu

A week before Christmas I caught the flu. I was in bed for four days straight and with the help of my great husband I was able to sleep as much as I could.

I don't remember ever being sick like I was. I just don't understand how I got the flu when I had gotten the shot.

Thankfully no one else in my house got sick as bad as myself. Poor little man had gotten sick but right after was as happy and chipper as he was before the threw up. Maddy and Michael got severe head colds but that was it.

A whole week of being unable to go Christmas shopping that close to Christmas sucked but still sick, I had to go out and get last minute presents for everyone.

With all that craziness going on I had totally for gotten to send out our Christmas cards with the kids pictures in them, but I guess they can be Happy New Year cards.

Lets hope we can start the new year all healthy.

Decking the Halls

The kids have their own tree that they decorate all by themselves.

Our Christmas Tree

Getting the Christmas tree decorated this year seemed to take forever. Half our lights didn't work from last year, which made Michael have to go to the store to get some more. Plus Maddy and Payton wanted to help put on the lights and that was nice but slow. Over all our tree turned out the way we wanted it and we did it as a family.

Getting the lights on our tree.

Madison helping me unwrap the ornaments.

Michael puts our star on top of our tree every year.

Our tree is finally done!!!!

Tree Time

We as a family believe in getting a real Christmas tree every year. There is just something about having a real tree in our home that makes us all happy. Plus we love the smell of a real tree.

Usually finding the prefect tree takes forever but this year we were lucky enough to pull up, get out and literally found our tree with in minutes.

This year Payton was old enough to really help Michael with the tree and he did a great job.

Hiking Time!

The day that my family was leaving I decided to get everyone up early and go on a family hike. It was something we could do to past the time and it was going to be a great memory that we made. It was cold but nice enough to where we weren't freezing.

We made alot of fun memories on that hike and I hope we can do it again when they come back out.

Thanksgiving at the Meads

This year for Thanksgiving we had my parents and sister come out to celebrate the holiday with us. After living here in Kansas for so long I wanted to have an holiday that all my family can come and celebrate together that I put on. This year it was only part of my family and I'm hoping that next year it will be the whole gang.

We had so much fun shopping and making Thanksgiving dinner together. It was so nice and actually relaxing. No stressing out or getting upset. It was prefect.

Can't wait to do it every year.

Michael and Payton watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.

I needed help peeling the 20lbs of potatoes I got to make mashed potatoes.

Next year I think I have to fancy up my potatoes. Megan and Maureen didn't seem to enjoy them very much. Fancy potatoes for sure next year.

I made two home made pumpkin pies, which turned out really good. I was thinking maybe next year buying the already prepared pie crust. But again I enjoyed doing it myself.

Maddy was the best little helper. She and Bumpa made the best stuffing together. Which is now what they will do together every year. It will be their special stuffing that they do.

Payton and Maddy helped get the appetizers out on the table and organized the way they should be put on the table. They were two very cute little helpers.

Meg and I enjoying our sister time.

Part of the family waiting for it to be dinner time.

My dad helping me get all the food ready and prepared to serve. He was my life saver this year.

Madison ready to eat her turkey leg that she gets every year. She is such a silly little cutie pie.

Orange Leaf!!!!

I was so very excited when I had heard that there was going to be a frozen yogurt place put in Manhattan and even better, it was going to be like Yogurt Time back home.

The kids and Michael are in love with Orange Leaf. They really have the best flavors and they keep changing so you never get bored. And I can go on and on about there fresh toppings. The Meads have truly fallen hard for frozen yogurt, haha.

The kids love that they can fill there cups all by themselves. We pay by the ounce and there totals are usually around 5 dollars. It's a new fun family activity we do every Friday night.