December...the season of excess, but with a little moderation this year (maybe)! We tried to check all the boxes, but ended up finding out that it wasn't the number of boxes we checked, but the time we spent not racing, not stressing, just hanging and enjoying the true reason for the season!!!
So, it was a year where we didn't hit the mountains for the tree, but went to our local market! I told the kiddos we could bundle up and walk down the hill to get it and carry it home...but they opted for the comfy ride in the truck!
When it's dry in December and the sun is kind of out...you get those little legs moving and go for a walk! They aren't always happy when we get started but 9 times out of 10 they are all smiles about 5 minutes in!
On of our favorite bands came to town and we jumped at the opportunity to go. We weren't sure we were concert goers (had a rough experience last time with sound), but found out that For King & Country is well worth the 2 hour delay and late night!!!
Mornings look like this most days...not sure which boy loves the fireplace more!
What do you do to fill the time when the chip in your windshield is getting filled....well, we opted for fries and shakes.
Christmas concert at School - check!
Recorders - check!
Santa Pictures, of course - not to be missed with our track record - check, check!
Santa even played along with this crazy crew!
And then the work Christmas party - check!!!
Daddy's little helper...with all the outside projects! We opted for a new inflatable this year from Grammy & Papa made the season extra magical! The amount of joy that comes from these silly things is amazing.
Kicked off Christmas Spirit week with Ugly Christmas Sweaters...even snagged a pic with Griffin and the "math" boys!
The MAGIC of the Christmas season is upon us...the stocking were hung and the tree was up!
Sushi and Gymnastics...sounds like a Wednesday Fun Day!!!
Schedule Dentist appointments during the last week of school before Christmas break...NEVER AGAIN!!!!
Christmas week continues with "Christmas Movie Character Day" - Hello from Frosty, the Grinch and Elf!
When your ballet recital falls on a weeknight during the last week of school...catching some zzz's before the big performance.
All smiles for "Up on the Roof Top"!!!
The Gangs all here to cheer on Leighton!
Special gifts for the little "tapper".
Testing the Meyer Spirited Coffee 2023 before deliveries :)
Last Preschool Christmas party...and it was a hoot! Toilet paper snowmen...
and twinning with your friend!
Special trip to the nail salon before heading back for Christmas chapel.
Millie got to perform with Choir...
And the twinning continues with the whole McCracken family! Too cute ladies!
And with that...the 2023 Christmas break has begun kicking off with a weekend at the lake!
I'm constantly amazed by these road warriors...now they aren't the quietest anymore, but it sure is fun (sometimes)!!!
Ahhhhh...we made it!
New breakfast favorite....Breakfast sandwiches (cooked to order at the cabin)!
First task...FIRE at the beach!
Fishing. Fire. Family. Fun! It doesn't get much better!
I'm always amazed at how much fun we can have just being together...I get caught up in the "things" and looking back, it's just the "moments" that matter.
Quick trip and headed back West to have a fun week before Christmas at home...
A stop at the lights in Leavenworth, but no brats this trip!
We opted for milkshakes and the 59er Diner!
Evergreen Lights with friends - check! In the past, we have opted for a few other shows too, but this year, one was enough!
Appointment day - check!
5 year and 11 year well checks - check, check!!!!
And the last back pack clean out of 2023!!!!
Papa turns 70 and we celebrated with a fun family night at Beardlee.
Cookie and PJ party for Millie
And then...it was getting closer to Christmas, the sun was out and we were enjoying the sunny days, the sleeping in and the "no schedule life"!
We opted for serving at Church on Christmas Eve Eve service...and these kiddos had a blast!
Christmas EVE Eve Shenanigans with friends...all the Reindeer games and more!
Christmas Eve breakfast with special cinnamon rolls from the Gabriel family.
Christmas Eve service.....
Grammy and Papa came too!
Christmas Eve at Grammy & Papa's!
All ready for Santa!
We spent the late morning with Grammy, Papa and Auntie Roxy...then headed home for a new Christmas dinner tradition.
Christmas with the O'Staceys was filled with fun, laughs, games and lots of food!!! So blessed to have friends that are family!
And December 26th marked DAY 1 of training for my half-marathon...more on that later!
Rich's fun new Christmas present...already saved us a half dozen trips to the Woods :)
And with Christmas in the rear view mirror...it was time to head back to the lake to wrap up 2023 in the best way!
G got this cool airplane for Christmas and it was so fun...lights and all.
Daddy and LJ go fishing...I told you she was the outdoor girl!
And then we all went for s'more fun at the beach together!
Fishing, Fire and Fun...do you see a pattern here?!?! I love this time with these people and almost feel like a broken record, but sometimes it takes seeing the moment again to truly appreciate it for all that it is!
My Crazy Crew!
Night walks...day walks...all the walks!
Turkeys. Deer. Quail.
They just sit and walk them all come through!
And mom even got out for her runs at the lake...
Outside fun...just being together!
Another day and another fire at the beach...this time we did lunch by the fire!
Weanies by the fire for the WIN! LJ said it was the best hot dog she ever had...and she's had a few!
Chasing sunsets and roasting our way into 2024!!!
Cheers 2023, thank you for all the memories!
First beach trip of 2024....
Dubs up for the ride home...and to cheer on the Huskies!!! (Spoiler alert - they won and are going to the National Championship game next week)!
And that's a wrap 2023...the year where the cabin was finished and we spent more moments off the grid with the family and dreamed of even more in 2024! This year will surely unfold in only the way HE knows, but we are fully trusting HIS plan for today and what's to come!
