Merry Christmas

We used a photo I took at a local cafe on one of our after church lunches recently. The year of the romper for them. 

I love the Dream Big wall!

We had fun with making cookies and with Magic's shenanigans this December

At some point, sprinkling cinnamon sugar on Magic became the antidote for accidentally touching him?

A couple days early, we snuggled up in our matching buffalo plaid flannel PJs (fist time we did the matching pj's and it was a big hit!) and opened presents.

Lydia wrote a song for me (who knew hearts sounded so good?!)

and Abby painted me a beach sunset on canvas. I have 2 talented daughters!

The girls got saucer chairs for their rooms and they spent hours just lounging in them that day.

Then we started our voyage up north, stopping at Lamberts, Home of Throwed Rolls, in Sikeston, MO. It was a fun stop. 

 

We were blessed again with favorable weather/road conditions for traveling and got to my mom's. It was so good to see her after her unexpected surgery. She's one tough cookie.

Stacy hosted the Bolgerts on Christmas Eve. Good to see Uncle Tom, Sam & Laura. Even if we just saw them in Tulum, MX for Laura & Matt's wedding, the kids didn't!

 

Abby heart Naomi

Lydia was either practicing poms with Violet or posting dances to TikTok with Aaliyah!

The Adults and Kids tables

They can't wait to open their poppers!

Naomi, Aaliyah, Lydia, Violet, Quincy

We got over to celebrate with Dad & Kathy and a new college graduate was there!

Will, Aubrey, Addie, Lydia, Simba & Abby

Oh, were the kids so excited to see SNOW!

Good for sledding and a snowman 

SNOWBALL FIGHT!

Party time at Grandma Jan & Grandpa Bruce's!

Will, Aubrey, Kinsey, Kayla, Lydia, Kailyn, Abby, Nathan, Jacob

kids table and a game of BINGO

Back home, we close out all the growth and excitement of 2021 and bring in 2022 with a New Years Tree.

Now here's Abby & Lydia playing us out with the Ukulele from Grandma Jan:

Halloween & Thanksgiving

 silly bat brownie making

Pumpkin Carving Time and

Grandma was here for a visit over Halloween!

finished products

ghost emoji, cat in moonlight, jack

3 angels and a hot dog

Lydia's new friend, Brooke, joined us as a counter to Lydia's angel!

trick or treating. This neighbor is still using the chute he made last year

lots o'candy

Getting our paint on at Color Me Mine. :)

Pumpkin Patch Kids

Mastering the Thanksgiving sweet potato casserole

Abby made videos of the day

Queen of desserts

 

I'm so very thankful for my family, especially as the kids get older and find their unique way to pitch in and help with the meal!

Puppy Days

 Born April 16th to her mom who was rescued from the streets by Almost Home, and adopted into our family July 29th. While we were discussing many different names at home (Suki, Toki, Olly, Fauna, Poppy, Simone) we seemed to easily settle on Ruby when we met her, she curled into our laps and we knew we had to bring her home.

She's been a feisty ball of cuteness ever since we brought her home. She jumps off the back of the couch, so it's no surprise she popped open her dew claw removal stitches. It took two of us to comfort her and bandage her up good.

She was so tiny all she needed was a couch pillow.

We quickly learned that she's a puppy of many talents!

We are in love with how her ears go up, down or back.

Those are happy ears!

Her cute little 'snoot,' as Abby fondly calls her nose.

She's our baby dog.

The foster agency wanted her to go to a home with another dog to help her along. Rio was and is the perfect dog for the job! They play fight nearly constantly and are great companions.

Sweet sleepers

Neighbor Maddie met the dog and likes her!

All the dogs get along.

Ruby actually loves to fetch (unlike Rio)

She likes playing outside around the pool.

Two of a kind

Did I mention that she's purse size?

Ruby's always down for a snuggle.

She's also easy to take on walks.

Here's feisty Ruby in action: stealing Rio's bone!

I didn't think Ruby could get any cuter, but we stuck her in a sweater, and she's so stinkin' cute we can hardly handle it.

Her hair has gotten longer and she's grown from 9 lbs to 18 lbs.

But those puppy eyes... she'll never lose those.