Living in Georgia

 I finally gave Ethan a chore at home (don't judge) -- unloading the silverware from the dishwasher -- and he LOVES it!  Uncle Jason sent Wyatt this card game, Exploding Kittens, for Christmas and we've had a blast playing it almost every night after dinner!  Peace out!  At the first hint of snow, Wyatt sat by the front door in the sled ... waiting!  It's coming Wyatt, it's coming.  Love how Wyatt like to have fun and learn at the same time. On his own he got these magnetic letters out and sat and spelled words. Love it!!

 I love the freshness a new year promises, and I always like to change things up a bit. I post these pictures mostly so I can go back and see how our look has changed over the years (and it's always nice to be able to go back and reference something). Try as I might to keep the mantel as free of items as possible, I ended up with a few more things than before the holidays, but I like the finished look. It doesn't feel too cluttered and it doesn't look too bare.

New Year's Eve was a quiet one for us this year. Normally we host a big party but I just wasn't feeling it this year, so we opted out of it -- and I LOVED it! We had plenty of toys to play with, including Jason's Millennium Falcon drone! But every party has to have decorations and props! Then it was downstairs to watch the shows to ring in the new year. These two! Too cool for school. And everyone made it to midnight! Hoping that 2016 is a great year for all our family and friends.

Our typical Christmas Eve feast! Fueling up before heading out to check all the local Christmas Tree lights in the surrounding neighborhoods. Then back home to get cookies and milk ready for Santa. Stockings have been filled... And Santa has delivered. Christmas morning peek to see what Santa left. Looks like Ethan likes his trampoline! Now, let's dig into the stockings. And presents! Jason got almost everything Star Wars this year -- all unintentionally. Presents have been opened and the mess cleaned up; now it's time to start playing with the toys and putting Lego's together. Mmmmm, a yummy Yule Log for Christmas dessert! Always blessed to have so many friends to send us Christmas cards.

 School Christmas events kicked off the first week of December with the chorus concert. They sang and then those that played an instrument did -- Jack is playing the recorder in the red stripped shirt.  First class party was Wyatt's kindergarten class. They all dressed as reindeer and sang songs.  Then it was time for snacks and passing out all the gifts they made us.  Then we were on to Jack's 4th grade class.  Pin the nose on Rudolf...  And drawing snowmen on our heads.  I love this kid!!  And finally, Ethan's class party.  There were a couple crafts to make.  This kid has discovered how to make funny faces for the camera. And then gift exchanges. This year they all gave out books. Ethan sat and looked through every single book.