Christmas 2016

We had a wonderful Christmas this year, pretty low key and relaxed with HAPPY kiddos!  Santa came, and we got to see lots of family and enjoyed being together!

 Time to put out the reindeer food!

My favorite gift is this necklace that DF made me on his own, wrapped it and put under the tree. A treasure! I wore it proudly!

DF read from the Bible all of Luke 2 and did a terrifc job before opening presents at Meme and Grandpa's house!

Our local celebrity

So Nora made the paper twice this week, and today she was on the front page of the paper!!!!  She keeps saying how she's "famous" :)

Blakely was with her both times so they both are!

Morphew cousin time

The Morphew's were in Arkansas for 2 weeks after Thanksgiving and those cousins got in some GOOD play time!  They wanted to be together as much as possible, and they were.  They made some big messes, had some big laughs and Isaac and Teddy even had some pretty big fights (ha, 2 year olds and sharing!)  We went bowling, to the nail salon, decorated Christmas cookies, went to lunch at Lakeside twice, and made lots of memories! It was so nice to be together for such an extended amount of time and be Aunt Amanda!  Aunt Amanda can be silly and do fun activities and give away chocolate chip cookies!!! :)   I love my family and love my time with them all.

Christmas Program and Breakfast with Santa

 The last couple of Sundays have been busy!  Last weekend we brunched with Santa on Grandpa's birthday.  The kids were thrilled to hear they were on The Nice List!  It is also always extra fun to see Meme and Grandpa and be with the Vaught cousins!   This Sunday, Nora and David Franklin participated in the Children's program at Church.  I told DF I was proud of him for leading worship, and he said "Mom, I'm not leading worship, I haven't even been to college yet!"  I'm just singing :)

They both did a great job and Nora seems to especially love the stage this year!

Oh Christmas Tree

We had a family outing to the Christmas Tree Farm, and it was fun!  Candy canes, runny noses, and a few tense moments putting it in the stand straight- Family Traditions :)  The Morphew kids enjoyed being out there, and so did the Basses.  We all decorated it, and I think we've lost around 5 ornaments total this year, but considering their ages I'd say that is a win!  DF said it's the prettiest tree he's ever seen, and since I've gone back to the family tree of sentimental ornaments, I'd agree!  This is what childhoods are made of, and family weaves together their story.  I'm enjoying watching it all!

Thanksgiving at Waters Edge

We had our first Thanksgiving in our new home, and we really really enjoyed being here this year.  It was fun, laid back while buzzing with activity, and cozy.  Just how we hoped our home would feel.  I still have a "wish list" of things to do (trim to paint) but that takes time and this house feels more like home with each passing day and holiday and memories made.  We are thankful this year for many reasons, that's for sure.

Meme and Grandpa, Mammers and the Morphews joined us for Thanksgiving this year.  It was delicious and the kids really enjoyed playing together. The girls got a chance to go out on the canoe, DF enjoyed passing the football, and we played our first ever game of Thanksgiving Charades.

I am thankful for these people and time spent with them!

Nurse Nora

Grandpa has called Nora "Nurse Nora or Nora the Nurse" since she was born.  Well, today she became Nurse for a day.  It was career day at school and she chose to be a nurse.  It was that or a teacher or a cheerleader or a mommy. :)

She had a parade at school and this girl loves to dress up.  She was was the first one dressed and ready this morning!  I hope she does become a nurse, or a doctor so she can take care of me!! She will be great at anything she chooses, that I am sure of!