Christmas 2011

We love Christmas! Carriage rides, hot cocoa, gingerbread houses, pajamas, elves, and more memories made with loved ones. I am so grateful for our wonderful blessings. We got to enjoy some great time celebrating Christmas this year. I hope my kids are able to realize how blessed they are not only to have a nice home, clothes, food, and gifts under the tree but to have a knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is the best time of year hands down

Impromptu trip to Tennessee

What do you get kids who have way too much stuff and a mom who is stressing about how to entertain 4 kids for a week for Christmas? A trip to see family! Dave and I decided that some of our Christmas budget would be better spent on Christmas memories rather than Christmas gifts so we suprised our kids the week before Christmas with a trip to Tennessee to see their cousins. This trip was a lot of time on the road since my brother Kevin moved to Eastern Tennesse and we made far too many wrong turns but when the cousins got together it was well worth it.

The kids spent a ton of time, playing, fighting, fighting, playing. We had several rainy days and a lot time inside made for some cranky kiddos. That's what family is all about right?

We really enjoyed our time in Eastern Tennesse, the weather was perfect and that part of the country is beautiful. My brother took us to a park near them that is inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia...one of the coolest parks I have been to.

It was so nice to be around my brothers, play games all night, watch the kids play, and catch up on so much. I couldn't think of anything better for Christmas than that time with my brothers that I miss so much.