Happy New Year

 

We rang in the new year at the Smiths new house, with the Owens family as well! The kids played and jumped in the hot tub, the dad's played washers, cooked and set off the fireworks. And the Moms got to sit around and chat! It was a perfect way to end a year and start a new one! 

Here's to 2023!

As we head into the new year, my biggest prayer is for this sweet guy right here! He's got a long road of recovery ahead of him. He's still currently in the PICU and slowly moving in the right direction. We pray daily for his complete healing! We love you Drew & Cindy!

Pappy's Birthday & Katelyn's Buck

We spent the day at the ranch on Pappy's birthday and had a great time! We had steak tacos and dirt cake for a late lunch, set up his new TV for him, and got in the deer blind around 4. By 5:30 we heard a shot and Lex got a text that a deer was down and it was time to come help bring it in! These kids don't know how lucky they are to have such an amazing set up for hunting. They just wish they could get out there more often. Currently Katelyn & Levi have shot two deer, but Levi is itching for another one this year. We just need to see if we'll have room in the freezer for all that meat! :) 

Happy Birthday Pappy!!

Christmas Day

Happy Birthday Jesus!!

The kids woke up at 5:30 - or at least that's what time they were allowed to get out of bed! And then all the craziness began! They were so excited and thankful for all the things they received.

Kyler - Nintendo Switch, Telescope, Camera, Quidditch, Books, Candy, etc.

Levi - Bike, Walkie Talkies, Nike shoes, Decor for his room, candy, etc.

Katelyn - Skincare fridge, Jewelry Box, Nike Shoes, Skincare, Clothes, Candy, etc!

And we ended up getting them a Chromebook to share and SeaWorld Season Passes! 

The kids do such a great job making and buying gifts for each other too! Here Levi wrapped up a gift for Lex and wrote on the tissue paper that it was a sandwich - he's hiliarous!

Later that morning Pappy & Lindsay came over to spend the day. We had quiche for breakfast and Lex cooked his first prime rib! We ate well, that is for sure!

We played with all their new things for the next week!! Kyler received a 3D printing pen from Cindy and he made this book stand for one of his books to display it in his store. Love his creativity!

We busted out the telescope by the fire one night and I was able to take a picture of the moon through the lens. Pretty sweet!

Getting the hang of his new bow & arrow that Lindsay gave him!

And straw glasses from Katelyn!!

Apparently Kyler posed for me the most with his new toys! I guess those big kids were too busy to stop for photos :) 

 

Christmas Eve

Mimi and Pops came over for Christmas Eve lunch. We had a nice traditional dinner - ham, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, salad, rolls, and green beans! And I attempted Me-Maw's fruitcake this year! It turned out okay, but next year I will definitely need to source better candied fruit. The ones I got were soaked in orange juice and that flavor was just too strong for me! Definitely going to try it again. 

We opened presents - the kids were so excited!! I apparently didn't take pictures of everyone though, but Kyler's face sums it up!! :)

We had a great time. But Drew was admitted to the hospital a few days before this, so we were really missing Cindy & Drew. He has pancreatitis, a kidney infection, and pneumonia. Continued prayers for complete healing. We love you and miss you Drewski!!

That afternoon we went to Grace for their Christmas Eve service, which we love! Then came home to set up our Journey to the Manger. Where we focus on the journey that Mary & Joseph took to reach Bethlehem. (Our dinner has expanded over the years though - I doubt they had cheese balls and Babybel cheese!) But we love this tradition and look forward to the family memories every year!

Reindeer Food, Milk, Cookies, & Carrots for the reindeer! We were ready!

Food coma :)