Goodbye 2019

2019 was good to us!

Gram had heart surgery,

We surprised the kids with a whirlwind trip to Disney World (on an airplane),

We celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary,

Kaleb was baptized,

Blake started high school,

Baxter joined our family,

We experienced new places, ate new foods, and made new memories as we traveled,

New teachers, new friends, new sports, as well as growth in old sports/hobbies, and friendships.

So many things to be thankful for this year!  Looking forward to seeing what God has in store for us next year!

Goodbye 2019!

A Hunting We Will Go

Blake, Daddy, and Papa went hunting in Hamlin, TX with one of Daddy's police buddies.  Barrett was disappointed that he had to stay home due to having a cold.

The weekend didn't disappoint because Blake shot his first deer!  Everyone was so happy and proud of him!

Christmas Evening

Christmas evening looked a little different this year.

Thanks to the flu, several of our family members had to stay home from our Grable family gathering.

We FaceTimed them for the annual bed picture.  It was much easier to get posed with 5 family members absent!

 We opened gifts, ate, and played the evening away.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Christmas Morning

We woke up before the sun came up to see what Santa had brought.

Everyone was filled with excitement!

 We spent time opening presents, eating cinnamon rolls, drinking coffee, and watching the Disney Christmas Parade.

Since today was such a beautiful day, the kids were able to go play outside with some of their new toys.

 We were thankful Daddy was off work today, the first time in a few years.  We had a wonderful morning and afternoon spending time together as a family.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Christmas Eve

We spent our Christmas Eve baking cookies,

 making a gingerbread house,

 and watching Christmas movies.  When daddy got home from work, we ate a warm bowl of soup and then loaded up (with our freshly made sugar cookies) to go look at Christmas lights in our pj's.

And off to bed we went, while visions of sugar-plums danced in our heads...

Progressive Dinner

Our 13th Annual Progressive Dinner:

House #1- Appetizers at the Killough home.

Each family drew names to buy Christmas gifts for.  As we arrive at each home, you get to find out who drew your name and open your gift.

The Killoughs drew Uncle Josh, Aiden, Kaleb, and Barrett's names.  They were surprised and happy to get to open their gifts at the first house!

 House #2 - Main dish at the McIntire home.

Mantha, Zoey, Annie, Elleigh, Asher, and Auntie got to open their gifts next.

House #2 shared with the Estes Family - 

Since our family is so large now, the Estes family has started combining at our home and helping to provide the main dish.

Blake, YayYay, Brynn, and I got to open our gifts from the Estes family.

House #3 - Desserts/Coffee at the Gillespie home.

They drew an interesting combination of names this year!

Cade, Cousin C, Uncle Bradley, Robert, and Uncie got to open their gifts from the Gillespies.

The cousins outgrew the annual stairwell picture, so we had to move them to fireplace.

 The Grable Family

 The food, conversation, and laughter made this another wonderful progressive dinner to remember!

Elf Magic

Compton, Niles, Tricia, Timmy and Candy Cane provided us with lots of fun and mischief again this year!

We love sharing the joy, laughter, and love of Christmas with our elves!

Christmas Festivities

Christmas festivities were in full swing the week we got out for Christmas break!

Brynn and her teacher showed up to school dressed alike one day.

 Brynn was an adorable elf in the Christmas Musical that was performed for the whole school.

I didn't have a good view of the stage, so I didn't get an action shot.

 Christmas parties and Jingle Bell Run made for a fun-filled day!

Early Release

Blake always looks forward to his exam/early release days.

He chose Whataburger for our special lunch,

 and a trip to Guitar Center to look around.

 It was a fun afternoon!

Christmas Sewing

Brynn and her friends made an adorable Rudolph for their December sewing project.

 They worked hard and put in a lot of hours to get him finished by Christmas.

 He turned out so cute!

Library Card

Our last little one got his own library card!

Barrett in December

Barrett memorized and recited 50 Bible Verses at BMO's (Boys Mission Organization). 

 He received a medal to celebrate his memorization.

 We are so proud of his hard work and dedication to memorizing God's Word!

 Barrett's big Winter Orchestra Concert was cancelled due to power outages/issues.

Luckily our elementary school orchestra group performed a small concert for us at school one afternoon.  

They all did great and we enjoyed the Christmas music, including Barrett's solo!

Christmas Favorites

Our church choir and orchestra performed "Christmas Favorites" this year for our Christmas musical.

 Their special performances never disappoint! We always look forward to attending these as a family.

December

Brynn and her fellow H.E.L.P. Team members donated toys to Women in Need.

 Baxter is enjoying being read to.

 Kaleb had so much fun on his first trip to the deer lease!

Honor Choir at NorthPark

Brynn and her Honor Choir group did a wonderful job performing Christmas songs at NorthPark Center.

 Brynn has the sweetest group of friends!

 They are making memories together and having fun doing it!

 Robert and I both got to attend the performance.  We ate lunch and browsed the mall with Brynn afterward.  Such a special day with our daughter!