It was so refreshing to be with family. Sambo had a Christmas concert which we heard was wonderful. He pulled out his tuba to show us his stuff. Houston was so curious and got to blow on the mouthpiece, and push the keys while Sammy played.  It was pretty fun.

 Eddie whipped up this awesome knight helmet for Heath one of the first days we were there. Heath was so happy! It was a stuggle to get it off at bed time. He wanted to wear it 24/7.

 We played lots of games. Almost every night we had a big round of big boggle. It was so fun! One night the power went off for a couple hours, so we played big boggle by candle light. 

 Grandma made Gingerbread men cookies with her 1st grade class at school. Heath heard her talking about it, and that morning asked several times to go to Grandma's school to make cookies.  She brought the boys a cookie each when she came home.  They felt pretty special to be included.

 I got to learn a little about canning chicken.  What a wonderful Christmas gift.  These will be so wonderful to have for our pantry.




















There were so many tasty treats to be had.  I think cookies were made at least every other day. mmm...

 These two rascals play so well together.  They sure are cute!

They look like they could be brother and sister to me.

 Houston holding on for dear life to Johnny's mane.

 When it was warm enough there was lots of playing outside.  Bertie and Heath helped grandpa put together a couple more big wheeles.  

 This is Heath's bike that didn't fit into the moving truck when we moved.  Every time we leave Grandma & Grandpa's house he fusses that we are leaving his bike again.  Maybe soon we can take it home Heath, maybe soon.

Jimmy was finally able to hold Rosie.  I think he's wanted to since the day he saw it.  Owen was so curious and wanted the spider to himself.  He was so brave and would stick his hand right into that cage.  Heath, being pretty scared of spiders, wanted nothing to do with this situation.

Tahnee and I went into town one day to get some Jeans at a buy one get one half sale.  We both scored and took home a pair.

 Houston was so cute in the changing room. He just wasn't so sure about all those little boys that looked like him.

 Grandpa's Christmas toys were so much fun! All the cousins love them!

 I absolutely love this picture of Hank! Little boy Heaven!

 Heath spent the time being a knight. He pulled the helmet over his face and looked out the vent holes. So serious.

Julia is awesome!

Matt finished his last final on the 13th. We decided to take it easy for a day. Matt had really wanted to organize our garage but with school it never had happened, so Friday was spent doing that, and the other things around the apartment Matt had wanted to do all semester but didn't get to. Then Saturday we packed up our stuff to drive home for 5 weeks!

The drive went really really well. Matt had copied some old donald duck & mickey mouse videos onto the IPatch so when the boys got wrestless we whipped that out. We stayed Sat night at my parents house and had lots of fun eating chinese and catching up. We went to church with them Sunday morning, ate some delicious roast for lunch, then packed up again for Matt's family's place.  

When we got there the kiddos were just getting ready to assemble the gingerbread houses Aunt Amanda had brought! It was so exciting!

Jim &  Mary's boys were so professional about it. Hank especially really impressed me with his building &  decorating skills.

J

Everyone concentrating so hard!

Heath made santa's slead. He was very proud of it. I love how it's been nibbled on along the way.

Thanks for the fun delicious time Aunt Amanda!

Houston ran around chasing Molly dog and stealing Isla's dinner while we had fun with the houses.

We made some sugar cookies for a super fun white elephant exchange we went to.  I had just finished the icing and went to wash up in the bathroom, when I got back these two were hiding out testing the goodness.

 Heath had pushed a chair up to the mixer and got a big scoop for each of them.

 I didn't really want them double dipping, so I gave them the beater and let them have at it.

 I love how Heath's tounge is working to help Houstons.

 Heath helped me frost the cookies.

 After a while of silence from Houston I went to investigate and he had swipped the beater from the counter and was sitting in his favorite spot in the living room eating away, so proud of himself.

What a cutie pie!