Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful Christmas week. Maggie had school on Monday and Tuesday, so it felt like it snuck up on us quickly. It's very cozy having the girls home for a few days, the house all decorated and lots and lots of cookies around :) If only we could make it last a few more weeks!

We've had these Santa hats for the horses for awhile, but just hadn't gotten around to using them. Wednesday night we made a quick trip out to make sure they were ready, incase Santa needed them.

They're very good sports :)

We couldn't leave out the original four legged elf.

The girls had been hoping for a white Christmas. It started to snow lightly just as we were packing the car. If only I'd known how much
was coming, I'd of packed snow boots!

By the time we got to Omaha there was a lot of snow, but it couldn't stand in the way of our annual
dive bar lunch....We were just about the only people at Danny's, but it wouldn't be Christmas without it.

All ready for Christmas Eve.

Did Santa come?

Yah!!! Santa came through :)

Maggie's hanging chair was a BIG hit....

....with everyone!

They might need life jackets!

Whoa....what a mess!

Uncle Arnie helped Elsie try out the swing for her new baby.

....Uncle Arnie's turn.

I can't believe I didn't take more pictures on Christmas Eve or at Aunt Joyce & Uncle Lee's. The girls had a great time playing with Hailie and Connor and enjoying our family.

 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from our family to yours! 

Arnie, Gracie and I came home from Omaha on Saturday. Maggie got to stay with Grandma and Grandpa for a few days on her own. Sunday Arnie and Gracie took advantage of the new snow.

Maggie's first Grandma Day request was HuHot for dinner :) She'll come home totally spoiled (and happy as a clam!)

Friday night we'll have Westerfield Christmas here in Norfolk, can't wait for them all to invade our home!

BASKETBALL!

Saturday Maggie had her first basketball game. I'm not sure who was more excited her or Arnie. She did great and had the BIGGEST smile the entire game. She was pretty tired by then end, there are only 6 girls on the team so they don't get to take very many breaks.

The 3 coaches on Maggie's team, grew up playing ball together.....it's funny how fast time goes.

Gracie wasn't impressed by basketball but she had fun taking selfies with her friend :)

After the basketball game we headed to Omaha for Aunt Trisha and Uncle Jeff's kid Christmas party. The girls had a great time. Gracie says it's because no parents were allowed and "grandparents are funner" :) ......she's right!

 

Sunday while Mom, Dad and Mark were at a meeting, Elsie locked herself in the hall bathroom at mom and dads. Thankfully Uncle Arnie came to the rescue. We'd asked her a hundred times to try and turn the lock, she always said she couldn't. Arnie had the door handle taken apart and we were contemplating breaking either the handle mechanism or the door, when Arnie thought to ask Elsie to try and turn the lock the other way.....click....and out she came!

notice her little fingers under the door :)

HE SAVED ME!!!!

Sunday night was the last night of Hanukkah. Gracie stayed in Omaha for a few days so we didn't even have to argue about who got to light the candles. Happy Hanukkah from the little girl in the Christmas sweater :)

Gracie stayed in Omaha Sunday to spend a couple of Grandma and Grandpa days. I'm sure she's having a great time. It's sure been quiet around here with her. I've seen a few pictures....they all contain food (usually sugar:)) I get to pick her up today at lunch time, I'm not sure she'll want to come home, but I'm excited to see her!

This picture is from last week, but I love it so I want to be sure it ends up here someplace. Gracie and I were working on a project in the shed, she was helping me haul wood to the house.....but of course that required a scarf, vest and pretty boots.....we wouldn't want to look sloppy while we work :)

catching up since vacation....

We had a nice Thanksgiving. Gracie was sick and spent most of the day in bed. I was heartbroken for her, she kept saying, "why do I have to have germs today, this day only happens once a year!" poor thing. Unfortunately, 2 weeks later she is just really getting over it now, that stomach bug was holing on to her with all it's might. I'm hopeful we've finally turned the corner now and can stay healthy for awhile!

For their Thanksgiving feast at school all the little girls were Pilgrims and all the boys were Indians....I suppose that will get
her teacher sued at some point, but I think it was pretty cute.

Annual stuffing making.....I think Maggie managed to ask dad at least 1000 questions, during the mixing of 3 batches :)

When we got home after Thanksgiving it was time to get the house ready for Christmas! Yah, I love all the lights and decorations.

Monday was a Snow Day, which is pretty rare around here. The girls had fun and are looking forward to the yard at our new house where they will have some great sledding hills.

Wednesday night was our Christmas Party at church. I think you can tell my cute little reindeer didn't feel very well, but they sure are adorable. Thankfully Maggie's stomach bug was much shorter lived.

Thursday night was Maggie's school Christmas program. Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Joyce were kind enough to make the trip. She was so excited to have them there. (and thankfully Aunt Bobbie thought to get her a pretty holiday outfit....mom was not on her A game this year!)

It's Panther basketball season again, lots of weekends spent cheering in the gym! You can see that Gracie is thrilled.

 Happy Hanukah!!

Sometime on Monday Clarence came. The girls had been talking about when and if he'd come so the were very excited (and a little relieved) that he made his annual appearance. I'm so grateful they still believe in all the magic.