Christmas 2016 Prep

Still backposting for 2016

The older the kids get (and I get), the more I forget our traditions and they either have to remember them or even do them themselves.  They totally made the cookies (with icing and without) and the hot cocoa themselves!

We have to sort through all the ornaments and make sure each of them has "their" ornaments before we start decorating the tree.

Here's Stephen and Nana.  Stephen says his only job is to untangle the beads and watch ;)

It's also become a tradition for Iris to wear this tinsel that we never use on her head :P

Falkor's first Christmas!!

And then we were ready to celebrate.  Once upon a time, when I was the kids' ages (and older), I felt like I really needed to have the decorations around to feel ready to celebrate Christmas, but now, I feel like it has become so easy to celebrate Christ's birth without any of that, because He is such an amazing gift for which I am incredibly thankful!  I wonder when the kids will feel this way.  (But the music is still so helpful and amazing!)

Thanksgiving 2016 at Dad and Janet's

I'm still backposting for fall/winter 2016.

Janet managed to get the whole crew over for Thanksgiving dinner!  And it was pretty great!

ALWAYS wish I had taken more pics, though.  I'm really dropping the ball lately!

So first, we took some family photos for Dad & Janet to send out.  They both crack me up, even though they're really great, because in this one, Janet is leaning against her son, Bobby, while Dad is sitting next to my mother-in-law, Bobbi.  And then of course, Sherry is holding a pic of her David up since he was at his parent's house.  And Falkor is in Dad's lap.  And, where are Clyde's eyes???

This one works a bit better.  Dad and Janet are matching... was this planned??  Falkor is on the ground, and Sherry still has David proudly displayed.  Clyde's eyes have a TAD less hair covering them.

Janet with her babies.

These were just cute of her and Bobby, so...

Inside, Brent is making the girls laugh.  I can't remember what he was reading to them.

Cutest brother/sister ever!!  (my own kids aside, of course ;)

Dad... I thinking he and Lu were talking about music theory here, but it could've been Dunkirk, but then again, it seems like Stephen and I referred her to him on a couple of theological questions... it really could have been any of the above since he is an abundant spring of knowledge.

Sherry took this funny pic of Clyde and me.  NOt sure what was going on here.

Happy Thanksgiving!!  Almost a year late!!

Thanksgiving 2016 with Mom's Family

Still backposting for fall/winter 2016

Rita and Alan hosted Thanksgiving again this year.  It was so neat that so many people came.  Really missed Norman, though!

Did I seriously get a picture of nearly everyone, but Rita???  How did this travesty happen?
Alas, here are my many other wonderful kin: aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins, Sherry, Bobbi, Mom and Paul.  It was a BEAUTIFUL Thanksgiving and we had much to be thankful for.

Thank you, Lord, for another year to praise You for Your.... everything!

Other Things to do at the Beach

Still back-posting for fall/winter 2016.

While at Panama City Beach, we did do a dab more than play in the surf and sand...

Movies must be watched on beach trips, and Nena always has a new selection of unseen movies to choose from.

Margaritville is one of our PCB staples.  They are AHmazing when it comes to dealing with food allergies!!!  REally!  And that is how I pick my favorite restaurants.  And come on, she came by in stilts and made balloon sculptures!  I mean... how fun is that?

David and Iris... she brings out the silly in him.

Lucy and Iris watching for land, mateys!

:D

Another dinner at Margaritaville.  This time we ate inside and they seated us... on the stage? 

Sherry and Clyde watching a movie.

Silly Iris.

Umm, so we go shopping a lot just for fun, and Clyde found this. 

Ice cream.

The ocean is still a marvelous creation to look at from our balcony!

We ventured to an unknown restaurant, Coconuts.  We were feeling brave.  (Actually, if I remember correctly we toted food for Lucy in) Oddly enough, I also remember that this was the morning we found out who won the presidential election . And sinse we weren't that excited about either candidate (minus Papa) we muted the GINORMOUS screen behind us and made up words to go with the broadcaster's mouth movements.

Just skipping while we shop!  Anyone wondering why there are always so many pics of Iris?  Me too.  Is it because she's always with me, or she's a ham???

Bought some new kicks for 2 of the 3.

ha!

 Vacation is the perfect time to paint your toenails with your new changes-color-in-the-sun nail polish!

 Often, when Papa would have to rest, Lucy would read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer to him, because, 1) she loves it and him, and wanted to share it with him and 2) He's really never read any Mark Twain?!!  This had to be remedied.  They finished the entire book over the trip.

I love playing with the girls' hair.  And since hair accessories were one of the souvenirs they bought, I got to kind of have a field day!

The pool at Splash! is pretty great.  I did briefly take advantage of it on this particular trip, but Sherry was Super-Aunt and stayed with the kids quite a while in it.

Again, good times!!  These were great memories!!