Christmas 2016

I almost titled it "An Embarrassment of Riches." Christmas was a mixed bag this year. We got a good solid 19 day break from school, including a week before Christmas. So we got plenty of time to just hang out as a core group. Then we traveled for the south Arkansas tour. It felt rushed like it always does but it was still almost a week from home. We had nice visits with everyone. Jared and his girls were only in town for one day so we didn't get much time with them. Holly and the AZ crew weren't able to make it at all this year so that was a bummer too. It was also our first Christmas without toys, which Jenna celebrated but kind of struck me with melancholy. Happy holidays to everyone. I sincerely hope it was filled with love and joy. 

A Little Non-holiday Surprise

It's always nice to have visitors. Last week we were lucky to have Amanda visit from Oregon. We see her every Christmas generally but we were able to score a visit in April. Noah had a fundraiser for Odysey of the Kind and south Arkansas came through in a big way. For delivery Magga and Amanda came up for one quick night.  

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Crystal Bridges with Magga

Magga was able to come up for the weekend at the last minute.  Her visit was short but enjoyable. I feel obligated to say the highlight was going to check out the Norman Rockwell exhibit at Crystal Bridges.  Noah liked it way more than I thought he would.  We messed up lunch though and didn't know we'd have to wait in line and be stuck so blood sugars got a little low and we had a cranky little kid cut the day short.  ​The actual highlight was Saturday night at bedtime when Noah told Magga all about the girls in his class and got himself tickled and embarrassed.  Mom and I couldn't stop laughing at him as he just kept blushing.  He wanted to tell her so bad but it was just so hard to tell on himself.

Cousins

Jana came to visit last weekend with Noah and I'm always amazed at the love they share. They have their own secret language like siblings. Campbell is crazy about her too. She followed Jana around and always wanted to sit by her. Jana will always be the 'cool' older cousin she compares herself to. I wish they they were able to see each other more. I can see the 16, 13, and 10 year old texting Jon Isaac and Malia how embarrassing their parents are.

Happy 60th Magga (Mom)!!!!

Happy birthday Mom! I love you...but I still have to post the video of the aftermath of your birthday song.  If you ask I'll take it down :)

 

Good autumn weekend

Despite my allergies going crazy I love crisp mornings and beautiful afternoons.  Magga came up this weekend and hung out with us and the kids.  Noah loves having her here.  On Friday morning, I caught him straightening the spare room and he informed me he was "getting it ready for Magga." Saturday was tough.  We laid a person dear to us to rest and then had to watch her beloved Hogs go down.  On Sunday, we braved the crowds and went to the corn maze, pumpkin patch, corn cannon, etc. on Hwy. 112.  The corn maze was cool but I'm glad we had a map, because we may still be there without it.  The kid's had a lot of fun but it was exhausting for them.  Magga made it safely home and we geared up for another work week.  Hopefully we'll have a lot of crisp mornings this year.  Not quite ready for icy mornings yet.

Note: Sorry I just published this but there was a photo I wanted to include from Jenna's phone but I just never could coordinate it.