Christmas Memories

We've had a wonderful Christmas break.  We didn't waste a moment from the time Lily Grace got out of school and Matt left the office.  
We've had so much fun and enjoyed a lot of family time.  It truly has been a special Christmas this year. 

Gracie roped Matt into being her sous chef for macaron making.  I have to say, he wasn't half bad.  He is such a good dad.  Making macarons is quite time consuming.

We enjoyed a yummy brunch downtown on Christmas Eve.

Before Christmas Eve mass, Lily Grace and I worked on a chocolate cottage.  We had to melt chocolate, mold, build and decorate.  We actually liked it better than a regular gingerbread house. 

Even if we weren't the best at it...

With LG getting older, we actually slept in until about 9:00 this year before we heard her coming downstairs.  She was most excited to find the Apple AirPod Pro set she has been asking for as well as a personal bluetooth printer. Even I agree that the printer is so cute and cool.  

Before all the paper ripping got started

Lily Grace and Matt filled my stocking and I had to declare her the best stocking filler.  

I was responsible for her and Matt and I packed her full of Oreo's. All I ever hear is her making fun of me giving "healthy" snacks so this year I buried all the good stuff at the bottom of her stocking beneath all the individual Oreo packs.  

Matt got an updated set of Apple Air pods himself.  

With a new bear, she was set for the day and busy so we could open gifts. 

This beautiful crystal snowflake came on a pair of Tieks I had asked for.  Gracie wore it as a headband.  Too funny!

Lily Grace also got the Harry Potter Funkoverse game.  People, this game should come with a warning.  It can cause families to tear each other apart.  I thought I was going to have to put this game up as these two went at it while figuring it out.  It has turned in to quite the joke around here.  They've played several times since and actually really enjoy his game.  I'm happy to report, it's a lot more civil. ha! ha!

The Rise of Skywalker

We were among the excited fans last night who braved the cold and the crowds to see the premier of The Rise of Skywalker.  
The theater was filled with excitement and characters from the movie.  
We loved the movie and how it all came to an end.
What a fun start to the holiday season!  

Posing with Emperor Palpatine and the dark side...

...and Legendary Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi.

Happy Turkey Day!

We flew south for Thanksgiving this year.  Our first stop was in AL to visit my side of the family and then on to FL to visit Matt's side.  We stayed on the beach in Pensacola and soaked in the warm weather which is a far cry from November here in the midwest.  
Thanks so much to everyone for hosting us.  

Lily Grace couldn't wait to get to AL to visit cousins Wilder and Henry.  She adores these two boys.  

Henry was more about the chase and less about the picture.  

Gracie and I got in some corn hole out on the deck at the hotel our first night.   Corn Hole for the record, is more fun when you can hear the ocean crashing beside you. 

We spent the mornings on the beach walking and looking for sea shells for a couple of hours.  This was one of our favorite memories from our Thanksgiving this year. 

Gracie was a good sport and joined her younger FL cousins in Pie Face.

She also helped Owen and Emma decorate a gingerbread house.  She had so much fun doting on them.

These two proved they have skills.  I took this picture to remind them of that. Ha!