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Monday, December 26, 2016

Park and a New Tool

On our last day with the out of town cousins we went to a park that Rod and Anne were going to take us to earlier but it was too cold.  We had a warm afternoon and nothing planned so we hit the park.  I kind of wish something like this existed in Texas.  So many kids, cool swings, a teeter totter, zip-lines, a carousel, kids posing, cheesy smiles, jumping, running, laughing, and arm hurting.  I still feel bad about that. 
Then there's the pictures way down at the bottom.  Paul built something for himself with his Dad, from odds and ends in his Dad's garage.  He built a hot wire that cuts foam. I was pretty impressed. It was also awfully romantic that he cut my name out with it.  I had to thoroughly document their awesomeness.   So if you find yourself wanting to cut foam, let me know....I'm pretty sure I can hook you up.  :)  
Speaking of Paul's parents.  I am the loser that didn't pull my camera out at their house this visit.  We had and amazing 2nd Thanksgiving dinner with them, built cool stuff, went out to eat, colored, talked, pet Hamilton, exchanged dog training tips, took pictures of Grant and Nicole, saw Paul's Grandma, read books, roasted hot dogs on the fire, thoroughly admired their work on their driveway, and went shooting.  It was so good to see family this year.  We're looking forward to seeing Rod and Anne again.  This time their will be more photos.  







  










Best Friends and a Baby Blessing

These two became the best of friends this trip.  I love it.  Audrey was so sad that our flight left sooner than it was supposed to and she didn't get to say goodbye.  
Derrick was so nice to take Audrey out with his girls and play in the snow with them.  They had the intention of building a snowman but the snow wasn't wet enough.  After convincing Audrey that she was cold, she came in to help decorated my Mom's house for Christmas, ate warm food, and listened to Christmas music.  
The next day was Sunday and I was so grateful that I got to be there when my little sister and her husband blessed their baby.  I didn't take very many pictures because I never get to be around for things like this. Baby Lillie was so beautiful and the fact that she got to wear her Mom's blessing dress made it even more special.  Not to mention the yummy soup, rolls, and salads.  Winter is awesome.  











Thanksgiving Day

 The smell of pumpkin in the morning.  Everyone running around baking pie crusts at night.  The large random expired can of olives Grandma sends over for us to eat before it goes "bad".  The bracelet project and snowman building.  Kimberly's glamour shots, she probably didn't expect me to post.  Lisa kindly taking on projects for Grandma, that no one else can do.  She's amazing like that.    Snowflake making, family chats, kids in the cubby hole I played in as a kid, and eating delicious food.  I love watching movies with my parents, and playing super smash with my siblings, staying up way past my bedtime and loving every minute of it.  There are so many of us and it gets kind of chaotic, but it's just how I like it.  
This is my family.  
Happy very late Thanksgiving.  I'm so grateful for these beautiful moments I got to spend with family.