Christmas and break!

We went to Nana and Papa's on Friday, December 23rd. We planned to spend the night and we were basically done cleaning up when the power went out! It thankfully came on an hour later!

Christmas Eve was spent first at the hospital to see Granny and then at Karen's.

We spent the night and Miranda got to join us as well since her parents got sick.

 

Christmas morning!

Miranda spent the night with us on the 25th to the 26th and she, me and Hallie hung around the house that day.

Jason and Justin went to Lee's Farm to do some work. Justin worked for 2 hours!

The rest of the week we just stayed at home.

We did the BB gun, played lots of games and Nintendo, and went to Defy courtesy of gift cards from Aunt Deda.

 

The lea(r)ning Christmas tree

This is something I posted on facebook but also wanted to preserve here!

I’ll admit, I’m embarrassed to post this picture of our Christmas tree.

It’s old and artificial.

The lights are out in the middle.

You’re not crazy, it is leaning to the left slightly.

We can’t put many ornaments at the bottom because of the cat.

It looks like it belongs in the Upside Down of “Stranger Things.”

When I saw all these flaws, my perfectionist brain started with the normal thoughts of...

This is terrible…

Everyone else has a better, prettier tree…

You’re not good enough…

The kids aren’t getting the experience they deserve….

But the kids had nothing but excitement and that increased as they grabbed ornaments to decorate.

Hallie even said, “There’s nothing wrong with the tree!”

God impressed on me that things, people, and experiences can be appreciated despite their flaws, sins, and pain.

I’ll look at my Christmas tree (and hopefully other flawed bumps in the road) a little differently now...but transformation of the mind isn't easy!

Chuck-e-Cheese and visting the Ross family

It was Little John's second birthday and they threw a party at Chuck E Cheese.

 The kids loved playing the games for 2 hours especially the basketball hoops and skeet ball.

 Then Hallie and Sydney went into the ticket chamber!

On Sunday the 18th we went down to the Ross's new house in King, NC to do gingerbread houses since we've done that when they were our neighbors.

Kim had only told Bennett so it was a total surprise to Otto and Mabel!

 They enjoyed hanging out and Justin got to play the Madden football video game with Otto.

After doing gingerbread houses,  we went to a little Park close to their house even though it was quite cold!

Skateland!

Corinth youth had an ugly Christmas sweater skating party on Sunday the 11th.

I knew Hallie would love skating but not the sweater part and would only go if some of her friends came and thankfully Leah and Olivia were able to go!

It was their first time at Skateland and skating and they did well, picking up the hang of it within the 2 hours we were there.

Hallie was so gracious, waiting and encouraging them. They had to skate as a trio at one point!

Thanksgiving!

 Thanksgiving day we went down to Mike and Becca's.

The kids enjoyed doing battmideon and playing air hockey and ping pong table.

The Starnes crew came and we saw them later that night and got to spend time with them Friday- going to the Science Center and having lunch at Deda's.

Saturday we went to Linda and Gary's, enjoying pool and playing!

Kids enjoying daddy snuggles! 

LR games, Fall Baseball, and Halloween!

We've gone to a few LR football games and usually leave after the 1st quarter.

(I think Justin likes baseball better!) 

Some face paint and balloon art for LR Homecoming!

This is a football helmet!

Justin played Fall Baseball on the White Sox team.

They had regular practices in September, then four Mondays where they did skills 

with the LR baseball team and only three games in October.

But he learned so much since this is kid pitch and they can steal bases!

His coach (Mike- on the left) was wonderful!

He played first base for two games (caught two pop ups in one game!)

He pitched in the last game for 2 innings!

His coach was pretty shocked at how well he did, but he has been practicing with Jason!

I didn't get the best pitches he did but he was so focused!

We were so excited that Karen, Sydney, and Miranda could come to our church's 

Trunk or Treat on Sunday, October 24th!

Hallie loved her new Spider Gwen costume and 

Justin's costume from 2 years ago still fits!

We went to Fairview's Trunk or Treat in Statesville on October 29th with 

Lee, Der, Sydney, and Charlotte. We went up to Linda/Gary's beforehand since she needed some furniture moved!

Nap time with Sawyer!