December Shenanigans

We were busy starting basketball season and visiting with family.  We had dinner for Gdad's birthday and the kids had fun goofing off as usual.

 Here are the kids before their piano recital.  It was a nice small and simple recital this year at our neighbor's house.

Our elves are having a blast together this year.  Aunt Marylin sent us a girl elf and the kids were soooooo exicting.  But I think Elfonso was the MOST excited.   We think Lafawnda and Elfonso are BEST friends now.

Here is Whitaker admiring his sooner gear.

Alexandra and her friends crashed Jack's basketball birthday party.  They had a blast.  They ran the score board and helped run the drills.  It was cute.

  
The perils of having big sisters.  Ainsley Grace had fun with Whitaker this day.  Whit asked for touch ups throughout the day, too.

Field Trip and Ice Storm

Ainsley Grace's class took a field trip to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and sang Christmas Songs for the crowd.  I got to be a chaperon, and I was sooo excited.  Gma babysat while I snuck away (THANK YOU GMA!!)   It is a wonderful library.  A moving experience.  We are lucky to have this in Dallas.

Mrs. President.

 We had 2 "snow" days because of the craziest Ice Storm.  We were all safe but it was scary.   The roads were bad and while we were trying to get home, I walked into a flower pot and feel like I broke my shin.  Alexandra slipped and scraped her entire side body.  The dogs were jumping for joy as we pulled up then Roosevelt slipped on the ice and limped for a whole day.  Then, I realized I was out of diapers and wet wipes. Stan did make it home safely w our Christmas tree, finally. But back out to Walgreens he went!  
 When he returned, he had diapers, wipes and whiskey.  So it seems roads not THAT bad.

The house was so cold, here are the boys getting warm under a blanket sitting on top of the heater vent. And here are the girls with some sweet friends over the break....

 Here was Jack's present for his birthday.  Super cute. 

Thanksgiving *BREAK*

We had a wonderful break.  In fact, we got ourselves a vacation!  A break from cooking and a fabulous meal to boot.  Thank you so much Grandaddy and Mumsie.  Branson, MO was a lot of fun and a super welcome fall vacation.  

Our first stop on the road trip was to Uncle Michael's house.  We had fun just hanging out and talking.  Here were kids in the car.  No screaming, no fighting.  I read and finished a book on this trip! :-D

Say "Hi" to Uncle Michael. Here he is in his office.

Our first order of business when we got to MO was the Showboat!  It was super fun, great food.  When they brought out the cake covered in gummy bears the kids eyes bulged and they talked about it non-stop.

Our attempted family selfie on top of the boat.

Then the kids got to jump on the beds and play.

Of course, we had to hunt down two caches..... Super fun!

We went to Silver Dollar City and had lunch with Santa.

And we rode rides.  Well, Whitaker did and he loooooooooooooooved this swing.  His grin was sooo wide every time he passed us by.

Yup.

Whitaker finally wore out. 

Silver Dollar City's Christmas Tree lighting was spectacular.  The best I have ever seen, it was really amazing.

 Alexandra decided to be adventurous and give oysters a shot.

 Elevator shenanigans.

Alexandra using the iPad and her phone at the same time.  Scary.

Our trip to Branson was a great get away.  The food on Thanksgiving day was incredible and I mean incredible AND I got a break from cooking.  You can't beat that.  I hope everyone had a wonderful break with their families as well.