The Day You Couldn't Have Planned Out!!!!

 Out of all the things we do around the holidays, this is becoming one of our favorites!  This day was SO MUCH fun and we just couldn't have planned it all out like this if we even tried.

It was a rainy Saturday morning.  Mike told his siblings to all wear Ugly Christmas Sweaters for Christmas and I decided to not let that stress me out and have him actually go along to find these shirts.  We headed for Goodwill and Zayla went with us so Lena could get some holiday shopping in alone.  We found some shirts and we were back home.

Our little home town has a holiday open house each Christmas.  They used to have a scavenger hunt and free little gifts for the kids at some of the shops.  This year we decided to walk through Kitchen Kettle Village and go from there.  Hadassah joined us because Jeremiah was at the cabin.

The Village was full of cheerful shoppers and carolers and many fun things to eat, buy and see!  Christmas time at the village is so fun!  We walked through the little shops and bought soft pretzels and strawberry lemonade.  We tried on sunglasses in the leather shop and bought some dill pickle cheese!  We tasted homemade fudge that was made right in the fudge shop!  So good!

Before we left home, I asked Ashlyn to go put Ginger inside and she thought I meant inside the Audi.  Even though we don't live far from town, after I realized Ginger was along, she actually went along.   

We walked the streets and came upon this artist!  I mentioned that our family do this but then when I realized the price for all of us, I decided to not do it.  Hadassah was all into it and Mike said OK!  So, the artist took a photo of each of us and we had Ginger along so she got added to!  Then we asked if he could add Jeremiah!  Perfect!!!!  He's a cartoon artist and he was going to draw all of us while we kept walking around Kitchen Kettle but after watching him a little while, we decided to stay and watch for the entire drawing!  We love it!!!!  It was crazy fun and we laughed so much!!!!

He drew fast!

Mike and the Littles went across the street to warm up while we waited for the artist to finish up.

And here you go!!!  It's a memory we might never forget!

We finished walking through the village and then went to pick out a Christmas tree at Frysville Farms!  They have greenhouses filled with poinsettias!

I've learned over the years that if I want photos of the kids, take the camera along and just click the camera button!  I love these!

And everyone was having such a fun time!  Mike is a goof sometimes!

All in good fun!

The boys loaded up the tree and paid for it while the Littles and I strolled through the greenhouse!  They had an animal hunt the kids did!

And then she spied the succulents.

And I spied more photo spots!

The boys went to Jos A Bank for some dressy clothes they need and we all met back home to decorate the tree!

Hadassah came over again and picked the kids up and they went to go see her bunny Olive's bunnies.  They came back and decorated a few gingerbread men she had bought at the bakery in Kitchen Kettle.  Hadassah and Matthew made icing and they laughed so hard at the the taste.  They said it tasted like paint.  They couldn't wait to offer it to their dad!!!!

Total blast!

Mike tried the cookie after Hadassah told him to try it and Austin pitched in and said he could have the rest of it!  Everyone laughed again.

Ashlyn topped the tree with our ancient star!  Austin straightened it out and it's beautiful with all the red and gold and white ornaments all over it!  It may be our nicest tree yet!!!!

My heart was so full from having such a fun day with the family!  I heard snuggles and giggles downstairs and so of course I had to join them for last event of the day.  Home Alone 2 was being watched with popcorn and hot chocolate.

It was midnight before I crawled into bed.  I was tired.  I was happy.  I was feeling so loved to have such a fun family of a loving husband that cats around with us all day long.  For the kids to really make it fun and laugh and giggle and be funny!  For a warm house to snuggle and place a decorated tree and have peace in our home!

I feel so blessed!

It's really feeling like Christmas!

December.

December came before we knew what happened!  I can't believe that it's the last month of 2022 already!  Time really does seem to fly these days!  We are ready for the evergreens to be cut and brought inside!  We are ready to listen to all our favorite Christmas songs and smell the pines!  We are ready to wrap the gifts and put them under the tree!  We are ready to celebrate Jesus!  He really is the reason for this season!

 

The little pines are stuffed in pots and set for decor!  I love free decor!

When the kids get something in their heads it means business.  They wanted to add some Christmas decor to their rooms and I was all fine with it!  I've been wanting to switch some bedroom furniture around ever since Hadassah got married.  Ashlyn's bedroom dresser matched with Austin's bed, etc..  Mike and Matthew helped move the furniture and then the kids put up the decor!  How cute!

My old dresser is not in Ashlyn's room and it looks nice!

Austin now his a little corner he loves in his room!

I pulled out the juicer again and Matthew takes a cup of fresh carrot and apple juice along to school each morning for his breakfast.  He does like it and I'm proud of him!  This was my juice blend!

The porch pots got filled up last week!

Mike helped me with the Christmas wreaths at church again!  We also added 10 red poinsettias!  

And the Christmas cards got stuffed and addressed!  So much of Christmas took place all last week!  I'm loving the house filled with all the nativity and evergreens!  

December is here and are getting ready for Christmas!

Happy Holidays!!!

All about Christmas!!!!

 Thanksgiving is over and we now are into all things Christmas!  The Christmas music is playing non stop!  The stores are bustling with shoppers!  The coffee shops are all into gingerbread and peppermint!  I love it!!!

Mike and Matthew pulled out some small pines from our property at the cabin and they are adding some winter/Christmas feels in the house!  The Christmas decor is up and there's shopping to do!

After laundry, lunches packed and the kids off to school, I was out the door to spend the day shopping with my mom and sisters!  We had the best day!

We went to our favorite shops and then ate at First Watch!

We took Dad's van and loaded it up with goodies and made a final stop at the Produce Junction!

Days like this go way too fast but it was time to get back home and wrapping gifts will be for another day!

Christmas is here!

Thanksgiving Weekend.

 Our weekends have been busy and super full but that means our hearts are full too!

Thanksgiving was spent with family once again around Mom Lapps spread out thanksgiving table!  The Lapps gathered around for turkey and sweet potatoes!  Cake and pumpkin pie were eaten for dessert!

It was so fun seeing my older nephews again and then playing games later that night with Mike's siblings. Ashlyn was begging to do some Black Friday shopping but guess what????  No stores opened until Friday morning.  I couldn't believe it!  I mean that's great!  I try every year to keep Thanksgiving .... thanksgiving and not let it run into Christmas.  The day after thanksgiving, we then think all things Christmas.  We finished up the Four Up and Four Down games at Mom Lapps before heading home.  We watched some football and fell asleep in our cozy house!

The next morning, Ashlyn was up super early to help Lena clean offices and then they made a few shopping stops.  Matthew went with his friends shopping early!  Mike went to work and Austin and I stayed home!  I just need some time to get into the Christmas mode and that usually happens the day after Christmas!

Thanksgiving Weekend started with school parties!

The kids dressed up in Camo for school!  Hunter and Adrian came home with us after school and I had then smash the pumpkins out in the field!

Football is the sport these days!

The next day ... we gathered around our kitchen table for our annual Family Thanksgiving Meeting.  We wrote down some things we are thankful for.  Then some goals!  It's just a good time to reflect and look ahead as a family!

Then we headed to Mommy Lapps!

I love these people!!!!

The Lapps gathered around!

Mom Lapp makes yummy foods!

The day ended so pretty!  We are so blessed!

We home to sleep and then do some early shopping and then pack up for the cabin to spend the rest of the weekend with my family!

They blew so many huge bubbles!

These girls braided their hairs together.

I made some chocolate covered peanut butter crackers.

Colson suited up and went out with his dad!  How fun!

There were lots of hunters going in and out of the woods and Megan shot a six point!  Way to go!

We ate more good food and cooked dear heart.  Monday came too soon and it was time to clean up and head back home!  Family weekends like these are priceless and packed with so many memories!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!