4 A's 2017

Gingerbread House party/competition

We had our traditional Gingerbread House Decorating Competition. EG and SK helped me get some snacks together. After all houses were decorated we posted pictures on Facebook for friends to vote on the winner.  According to Facebook votes, Emma's friend, Mark, won.  Emma came in 2nd, and Andrea finished 3rd. 
(Ella's house pictured is not hers.  We had an accident with her house before the photos took place...  #thirdchildproblems)

 

 Andrew's house was almost 2 foot tall with toothpicks and gumdrops, which Ethan later stole to add to his house.  Adam needed a hammer and butcher knife for his design.

 

Babysitting Sk and Silas

 One of these photos caused Adam and Andrea to rush over and get their kids, the other photo was my screensaver on my phone through Christmas.  Who doesn't love a happy little hot dog?  Dress up at Aunt Sissy's is fun for everyone.

She will be a great leader one day!

Jonesboro Christmas Parade, Caroling

EG and Ella rode on the FOA's float in the Jonesboro Christmas Parade.  EG was in the production of Charlie Brown and they decorated the float and sang songs from the show throughout the parade.  Ella got to ride along too.  Emma and her friend, Abby, went together and watched the parade.  I'm not sure if the girls are actually pictured in the photos below because it was FREEZING outside.  I'm surprised my fingers worked to take the picture. 

 hahahaha.  He makes me laugh.

Hers are some of their songs from when they went caroling to some nursing homes throughout the month.

Christmas trip to Branson

 We started giving gifts for Christmas instead of doing a big gift exchange between the 5 of us.  This year we went to Branson and saw the lights at Silver Dollar City. The girls and Burt loved the rides, I loved the Christmas snacks!  We also met up with Nanner, Poppy, Zeke and Molly the next day and all saw The Birth of Jesus at the Sight and Sound Theatre.  It was spectacular.

 Eva Grace in front of Eva's Bakery!

 Mistletoe??

Awe.  Sweet and rare moments...

 Sight and Sound Theatre

The lady behind us thought Emma and I were SISTERS!!!  Emma was annoyed, I was ecstatic.  Emma did not want a photo to mark the occasion,  I did.  I bribed her with concession stand money.

How??

This is an oven mitt.  I'm not sure how it caught on fire, nor am I sure why someone would throw it out in the driveway ON FIRE...or why would you throw it in the driveway at all...or how on Earth did you catch the thing on fire?  30 minutes later I was told about this (it was so funny to them) so I decided I'd better check on this amazing sight.  It was STILL on fire, (picture above is what I saw)  just sitting in my driveway. 

I did pour water on it (how simple is that idea??) and the next morning put it in the trash can.  I ponder what actually goes on in the minds of teenagers???

Happy Sweet 16, Emma

 Happy Sweet 16, Emma.  She didn't want a party and wanted something low key with just a few friends.  She called them up and they met at Ultimate Air (where they also got their photo made with Santa), then we all went to eat at Wings To Go.  Her big gift was her car, which is in a separate post.  Words can't describe how proud we are of this her. 

 Emma, Abby, Mark, Santa, Mychal, Aubrey

 (Added bling license frame today)

Thanksgiving 2017

THANKSGIVING

T is for tomfoolery, much was had,

H is for hand holding during sweet prayers from toddlers.

A is for acorns for Ethan to collect

N is for naptime,

K is for keeping traditions

S is for smiles, tons of genuine smiles,

G is for gratefulness everyone was healthy and together and for the wonderful food.

I is for identical turkey shirts,

V is for visions of sugar plums in the forms of Christmas lists in the making

I is for imagining you are Spiderman

N is for Nanner and Poppy's,

G is for games.

 Everett is fast, hungry and has no patience.   

 

 JUST GIVE HIM SOME PIE ALREADY!  I might have snuck him a cookie or two.  He was starving!

Tickle, tickle, Everett :) 

 Prayers led by SeraKate and Elle

Naptime for Burt, Granddad and the littles, game time for everyone else.

 Soccer, Ethan's favorite at the moment.

(sadie, ethan, sarah, andrew, ella)

 Bring on the sale ads and glue sticks!  Ethan's Christmas list contains monster trucks, remote control cars, transformers, more transformers, anything Spiderman, transformers, a target for shooting practice and Nerf guns (that his mom says he not old enough for yet).

Granddad, still sleeping, finally woke up to help the girls put a puzzle together. 

Next stop, BARRETTS

 Wishbone, Emma wins.

 "Emma, let's take a snapchat."