February Snow!

We got snow!  We actually got a considerable amount.  It was very convenient to be doing online school because we didn't have to cancel due to transportation issues.  The kids went to their meets and then played.  Since we don't have any hills in walking distance we got creative.  Kayda loved towing her brothers with the quad.  The grass actually didn't get as damaged as I'd anticipated.

We also went over by the school to the small sledding hill with Carter and Ty.  The kids built up a ramp and worked on jumping as high as possible.  They ended up with quite a few entertaining wipe outs.  Kayda learned quickly not to jump when she was on her stomach since you can't absorb the impact it hurts.

Dillon's 13th birthday

Dillon's 13, officially a teenager!  He is as tall as Kayda now and passing his grandma's.  He had a pretty chill day and had his best friends CJ and Leelan spend the night.

He wanted an actual cake, not cupcakes this year.  He had fun adding sprinkles. 

I discovered kind of late that we didn't have birthday candles.  We got creative and used some tapered candles instead.  He thought it was hilarious.  I was honestly surprised they stayed standing!

Christmas decorating and Christmas

Last year we were moving so we didn't get to decorate for Christmas beyond a couple strands of lights outside and the stockings and the Christmas tree.  I desperately wanted extra time with our Christmas decorations this year.  So, November 1st we put up our outdoor lights.  Since the house is so big we bought garlands and extra lights for outside.

We discovered kind of late that we didn't have any anchors on the roof so we were unable to decorate the second story.  We tried everything to no avail.  Hopefully next year we'll be able to make it work.

Daddy spoiled me and let me buy garlands to decorate our staircase.  I was so excited!  It's one of my favorite things from growing up, walking down Christmas morning with the railing all lit up.

We also splurged and got a new tree.  We have a couple of fake ones from before.  One was our original but the lights no longer work, the other was a really inexpensive one that just looks sad.  This one is gorgeous.  It's a 10 ft tree and barely fits.  We can't put any kind of topper on this one, but it doesn't need it. We didn't put it up until just before Thanksgiving.

My absolute favorite candy in all the world ... Of course it's only good during the season.

Cookie decorating! 

Christmas morning they're not allowed to come down until Dad is ready with the video camera.  It's very different than when I grew up as we went down to see Santa's gifts in the early, early morning.

The boys got hoverboards and we're very creative about riding them.

 Carson loves to give hugs to say thank you!

Grandma and Papa H came down for gifts and Christmas dinner.  It's the first time we've had a nice Christmas dinner in a long time.  We like to lounge on Christmas usually.

Grandma and Papa G came to visit after Christmas so we waited to celebrate with them.  

The boys were really excited about their riding boots.

We played "What do you meme" family edition.  There were a few things that really got everyone laughing. 

When Grandma and Papa G come visit there is always an abundance of candy.  Carson made a tower with the Costco size candy jars.