Christmas Break Fun

 The kids loved their first visit to Coldstone Creamery!

 A great day at the Dallas Zoo!

 The dinosaurs at the Heard Museum in McKinney were all decked out in their holiday finest!

It was such a gorgeous day, I almost wished I had shorts on.

I loved spending time with these kids!

Holiday Parties

Samantha and I were busy and attended Arabella's, Lily's and Jon's class parties during the last week of school before the holiday break.

 Joseph also had his holiday concert- his first official orchestra concert. 

He did great!

 

 Don't we make such a handsome couple!

 We loved having the chance to catch up with one of our favorite missionaries Taylor Gulbranson. He went home earlier in 2015 early from his mission due to being diagnosed with cancer. 

We are thrilled he is cancer free now and looking forward to a bright and healthy future with a cute girlfriend by his side. 

 My precious Christmas cuties!

 We also attended the ATA belt ceremony/holiday party.

Peter is on his way and should be testing for his black belt in April, the same time that Joseph tests for his 3rd degree black belt! Exciting times. 

Thanksgiving Fun Day 6

And finally Saturday, the Booth Family headed out that morning and the kids were sad to say their good byes. They had played so much and so well together. 

Then, the Wood family indulged us while we went to some outlets for some family shoe shopping and then we met up with some old friends of theirs and played at this really fun indoor play place. 

Lily and Samantha were the only two who slowed down long enough for me to catch a quick picture of them. 

We had fun playing games that night and enjoying the last of our time together. 

The Wood family headed out on Sunday morning and again we were sad to say our good byes. 

I am so thankful that both of these families made the trip to spend Thanksgiving with us. I hope we can return the favor sometime really soon!. 

Thanksgiving Fun Day 5

Friday we braved the rain and cold temperatures and headed to Fort Worth!

We had a great time playing at the Children's Museum! The kids were so well behaved!

Then to the stockyards! These pictures would not swap so they are backwards but who cares.

There was Santa- yea! And there was free face painting and it was really good face painting with sparkles and glitter and stickers incorporated in. 

We ate at the all you can eat rib restaurant. We were glad for some warm food and a warm room. 

Samantha adored her balloon hat and insisted on wearing it while eating her meal. 

We ended our day with a babysitter for the kids while the adults went to the Dallas Stars hockey game. It was my fist pro hockey game and I loved it! 

Peter's company has a set of season tickets which we used and I am certain we will be trying to go to at least one more game before the season is over. 

Thanksgiving Fun Day 4- The Big Day

 The kids were great about entertaining themselves while we finished our preparations.

They went for a tea party,

 and licorice mustaches

 and playing outside!

 The taekwondo school had a Thanksgiving morning workout and Brady was a good sport and tagged along. He had no idea what he had gotten himself in to. Peter said it was a rough workout. 

We all got  some exercise in that day- Kelsey and Anthony went for a walk and Lindsay and I went for a great run!

And then it was time to eat!

 And then play some more!

 Oh, this man that I love! This picture captures so much! That smile makes my heart race and fills me with eternal joy and peace!

 The food (Lindsay's super nice camera captured it much better)!

 Our eyes were bigger than all of our stomachs but we sure did enjoy having leftovers.

Also, we were only about 30 minutes off of our planned time to eat- I think that is some really good planning. 

Rainbow jello has become our family's tradition for Thanksgiving.

The turkey aftermath!

Thanksgiving Fun Day 3

Okay these are from the day before but were too cute.

We spent a little time at the park since the weather was nice. 

 Wednesday did not get documented well, at least not by me but Lindsay saved the day!

The Wood family arrived about 5:30 am after a little confusion with the GPS (who know our house number and street existed in Tyler, TX?!).

We exercised with most of the kids and grown ups and then we ladies after getting ready headed to Central Market to get a turkey and some pies that Kelsey ordered.

It was so fun to walk through that store and be amazed by all of the foods including the octopus pictured below.

 The rest of the day for we ladies was spent doing prep work for the big Thanksgiving day.

 Peter helped keep the kids occupied for awhile with go kart rides.

Also, Brady and Peter took the kids to Sonic and the park at the elementary school. They were in heaven! By this point of the week, poor Anthony was in the middle of a full blown case of influenza. He was such a trooper and tried to participate when he felt up to it. He did a lot of sleeping which was the best thing he could have done. 

It was a great day to remember how wonderful family is and why I am so thankful for my family!