Gingerbread Cookie Time

We did make gingerbread cookies.  Partly because it's tradition!  And partly because they are delicious.  Okay, and because the girls enjoy decorating them. Please enjoy their delight in the process, and enjoy the fabulous result of their meticulous decorating skills!  I LOVE these kids!

 

One Sad Girl

This poor kid got her wisdom teeth out.  I didn't think it would be so..... dramatic.  She went in just fine, but I think they may have released her a little soon.  They wheeled her out to the car and we manhandled her into the back seat.  Halfway home she suddenly realized she was in the car and had no clue how she got there.  Poor thing was so disoriented.  The last thing she remembered was sitting in the chair getting the iv and now she was in the car.  

I had expected to get her home and park her on the couch.  I expected her to lounge the day away watching movies.  But nooooo.  She insisted she could walk just fine.  She roamed drunkenly around the house.  She swayed dangerously, but kept upright.  She demanded to go outside to "see people".  She spent some time making hilarious drawings. She talked to the dog. Then she restlessly criticized everything I tried to get her to watch on tv.  She briefly rallied when we put on YouTube with Disney songs and I almost died laughing as she raucously sang along. And then she cried because she didn't know all the words.  And then she was just sad.  

It was a long and emotional afternoon. The meds finally wore off, and she finally slept a bit.  And then she was tired and cranky and sore for the next few days.  But she survived!  And now it is done. 

 

Decorating for Christmas!

Soon after we got back from AR, we busted out the Christmas stuff.  This is the totes adorbs Nativity my sweet sister made for me.  

We managed to find a place to put the tree up.

My cute girl.

Another of my cute girls.

We did wait a few days before decorating the tree.

But we had a grand time doing it.

We do love all our personal ornaments and enjoy reminiscing about them as we put them on the tree.

Delaney found the hats. 

So they had to be worn!

And look, I made a cute Christmassy face mask to match the season.

 

Kicking off December

Callie made sautéed peppers and onions for dinner. It was delicious!  Her grandfather taught her how while she was visiting and she was delighted to share her new talent.

We managed to find a place to put the tree and we set it up.  It doesn't look bad from afar, but it needs to be replaced.  Still smells a bit musty, and some sections of lights are out, and there is still rust on one side.  But it looks okay from here!

The girls needed a short video of their favorite Christmas tradition for YW.  Delaney was cute and did a 9 second clip on putting the "tree donut" on top of the tree.  Here is a picture of my cute kid.

Marian was willing to cooperate. I was an idiot and took a picture, not a video.  So here is a photo!  And then she had to re-do her thing while I recorded it for reals. 

Um... San Diego doesn't seem to have gotten the memo that it is December!

And this is my new favorite saying.  I'm going to frame it.

 

Wrapping up our AR time

The kids LOVE getting to ride on the trailer.  Grandpa indulges them when he can.

There was even an exciting trip to get some logs.

Look how much fun they are having!

Miranda left before we did, so we had to say goodbye to her family.  I like her a lot!  

Alex wasn't sure how to pose.  But Grandpa knows how!

The logs that were hauled in needed to be stacked.

And a lot of them needed to be chopped smaller. Many hands were excited to help with the chopping!  Andy was pretty good at it.

Marian was a little hesitant.

  

But her enthusiasm was strong.

Dan is better at baseball.

Even Delaney gave it a wack!

Rylee gave it a good shot.  But she needs a little more muscle.

Callie was a good overseer.

Anyway, we had a great time pulling the wood off the trailer, tossing it over the fence, and splitting and  stacking it.  It was quite invigorating!

We did stop by to visit Mom before we headed back to CA.  

The Monday after Thanksgiving, we left.  I was pretty impressed that Levi was able to fit on Callie's lap!  We did the return drive in 2 days again.  I kind of like it because it just gets it done.  And only one night in a hotel.    

Note to myself though..... do not start a long drive on a Monday.  I can't go out to get last minute items, or do all the shopping I suddenly decided I needed to do.