Christmas Spirit

I feel like this Christmas season has been going by so quickly. Before we knew it, there were less than 2 weeks until Christmas and we hadn't really done much to celebrate or get in the spirit. I'm sure a lot of that has to do with the fact that a lot of things are cancelled this year given the current circumstances. Regardless, we have been trying to take advantage this last week leading into the holiday.

We have had some beautiful sunset walks in the neighborhood.

Our neighborhood also had a golf cart parade of lights. It was actually very impressive, people get really into it! Of course all my pictures are blurry, but we had a great time.

As is typical of most babies, Bonnie has helped clear off the bottom part of our Christmas tree.

We made and decorated a gingerbread house with Katie and the kids. Well, Katie made the house and we just helped decorate. It turned out so cute!

We drove around and found some of the best Christmas lights in the area.

We have watched Christmas movies.

And I made sugar cookies for the first time. I didn't really think it through because after I made the dough I realized I didn't have a rolling pin, so I used a bottle.

And then I realized I didn't have any cookie cutters, so I used a butter knife.

And then I realized we didn't have any sprinkles so decorating would have to wait until the next day. I will update you on how they turn out.

I hope everyone is having a great holiday season despite the circumstances. Merry Christmas!

Jamestown Settlement

Recently we visited Jamestown Settlement. We've lived here for well over a year and realized we had never been. We had a great time, definitely a spot we will need to bring Benny's parents once they can actually come visit again.

Thanksgiving

I'm a little late, but we had such a wonderful Thanksgiving up at Mom and Dave's house this year. The weather was beautiful, the food was delicious, and the company was unbeatable as usual.

 

We watched the Thanksgiving Day parade in the morning. Then Dave was able to rig up a field goal in the backyard so we could work around nap schedules. Chris took the win as per usual. 

 

No better setting for some family pictures.

 

Mom started cooking early.

I love spending holidays with these ladies.

Uncle Eric played Go Fish with the kids.

 

It was quite a feast, one of the best I can remember.

 

 

 

After dinner the guys kicked back and watched the football game while the ladies took a little night walk around the property. 

 The next morning we went hiking at a new spot nearby.

There were some steep rocks and a waterfall at the top - I was impressed with all the kids that made it up there! You can see them on the cliff in the picture below. 

We stayed down below this time.

It was a great morning, hiking always makes it feel like the holidays for me. Afterwards we went home to have some leftovers for lunch then all parted ways. It was such a fulfilling weekend with family, I'm so grateful for these amazing people in my life. A special thank you to mom and Dave for hosting this big crew!