Monday, February 15, 2021

Christmas time, is the BEST time!





It was a busy Christmas season!
Which was just fine with us.
I was nervous Christmas would be canceled because of Covid.

We met up in a parking lot with the Goodman clan to
load into 3 trucks to check out the Illumination of Lights!




Our truck had me cracking up.
Squished in like sardines.

I hopped in the back of Jesses truck where Kristen and I had the
 place to ourselves!
We ended up chatting the whole time,
not paying much attention to the lights. 








I guess the little elves from the North Pole heard the begging and pleading from our kids
that we are the ONLY family without an elf on a shelf. 

We woke up to BLIZZARD sitting on our counter!
Such a surprise.
It was as if we were going to Disneyland. 



Our neighbor gifts this year were not something I typically would do.
However, very fitting for the mess we've been dealing with lately.



We just love the Cotters!
Judy and I planned a Cookies and Company night
at her house one Sunday evening.

Nothing fancy, just a much needed neighborhood gathering 
of in person interactions and socializing!
It was good for the soul.

Santa made an appearance!




Grammy had her Christmas dinner and activities!





Playing the left, right, left game with presents. 




And the nativity!



Traditional gingerbread cookies and Christmas light looking with the Evans!






White elephant adult exchange at Grammy's with a few
 being broadcasted through the television.
The technology these days are mind blowing!



Christmas Sunday!




Party at the lake on Christmas Eve!
Thank you Piatchitellis for the invite.











The grand finale was Santa spreading joy on the surf board.




The people on the Dolly Steamboat got their money's worth that day!




We met up with Jesse and Kristen's family, and Grammy for 
dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.





Then played the dice game!




It came down to these 2 fighting over the jackpot.
Lucky Jesse got the 4 and it was game over.





Writing Santa a note and plating some cookies for him to enjoy.




The calm of Christmas before the hurricane of wrapping paper,
card board boxes,  and small plastic pieces strewn about!









Matchy, matchy Christmas day with my girlies!





The highlight of the day was holding the Evans new puppy, Winnie!
I am NOT a dog person, but that girl was growing on me big time.









We enjoyed the rest of the day with both of our families.

Grammy made us special Papa pillows out of his long sleeved shirts!



Our glory days as parents have arrived!
We came home bushed to the girls begging us to set up their Barbie resort.
Without asking, the boys jumped in and put it all together themselves!!
Best gift they could have gotten us.





The fun didn't stop Christmas day!
We went out to the desert with the Rudd's the next morning.










 
Our gift to our parents was a trip to the McCormick train light display!
It was cold!!
But a pretty decent display.








And with that, December was a wrap!


Thursday, February 11, 2021

Day Trips




I'm glad they have a "happy place".
That is only 3 hours away.
Making it possible to wake up at the crack of dawn, play hard,
and come back home late into the night. 
 (Knock on wood), all in one piece!














 

Thighs Before Pies



Stephanie planned a Turkey Trot at her house since the Gilbert one got canceled.
So I guess more, Wobble till you Gobble!

The whole thing was legit!
THANKS banner, photo station, bubbles and donuts.
Who needs the real thing?







We hurried home to put the finishing touches on our food assignments. 

I wanted to make a fancy, legit turkey.
Normally its all picked apart and looking all slimy on a platter. 

I ordered a fresh, 20 pound turkey and brought it home.
I needed to brine it overnight.
Which was fun trying to figure out how to keep it cold and submerged in the 
liquid and it being to big to fit in my fridge!


Oh, lets not forget about what is inside the bird!
Goo.
Luckily I had some boys willing to stick their hands inside unknown conditions.

Their faces, haha!
Such good sports and glad I'm not the only squirmish one!





We had to wake up at 4am to put in on the smoker.
I felt like I was up with a new born baby. 


In the end, it turned out!
I wish I had a food show to debut this beauty!




Some of the other yummy food!









It was fun having our cousin Leah and her family over!



Save the neck for me, Clark!




And if this doesn't depict Thanksgiving perfectly...



 

Friday, February 5, 2021

Say Cheese!




School pictures are always such a treasure!

They looked a little different this year.
Step aside Dukes photography, Mrs Evans is going to one up you!