Christmas Break

Our Christmas break sure was a good one.  We had a week at home doing Christmas crafts and activities, a week in Kentucky, a week in North Dakota, then a few more days at home.

Our friends had us over for a fabulous Christmas Craft Day!

The girls made snow globes, a giant 'gingerbread' chocolate chip cookie girl, and gingerbread houses.

Their older sister made personal miniature clay figurines for the snow globes.  She used each girls favorite colors and items.  It was super cute! 

  Chad was in Florida most of this week for a conference.  Rose and I enjoyed doing Christmas activities, arts and crafts, and baking for a relaxing start to our Christmas break.  

Here are some candies we made on pretzels and candy canes.

By Saturday daddy was back in town in time for Rose's first piano recital.  This was her first semester taking piano.  She really enjoys it and practices every day.

Carissa, Rose, and Shaina at their recital.... 

...A little snow on December 23rd

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On Christmas Eve we flew to Kentucky.  It was great spending time with Gma and Gpa Irvin, Aunt Jennifer, Aunt Kiki, the cousins and uncles. We enjoyed visiting, playing, laughing, and just being together.  We had a good time at the gift exchange. Grandpa made a fun cash gift for everyone.  Did I mention, we spent time laughing?  We always have so much fun and enjoy each other.

Rose and Tori working on the last bit of baby Isaac's baby blocks and playing cards.

Stocking time....

We received this beautiful snow on the farm.  It was gorgeous to look at it, but prevented us from traveling and seeing Uncle Josh, Auntie Samantha, Lilly Kate, and baby Isaac.

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On New Year's Eve we flew to North Dakota.  We spent a couple of days in Fargo visiting the Sunderlins.

We are trying to stay up to ring in the new year...

We watched the NYC ball drop live at 11 PM CST and called it good.  I don't know about everyone else but after only a couple hours of sleep the night before and a full day of travels, I was tired.

Rose enjoyed sledding, playing pool, video games, and doing duct tape crafts with Isabelle and Max.

Then in Walhalla we spent time with Gma and Gpa Anderson, Aunti Cami, Uncle Tim, and cousins.

Rose and daddy helped make Christmas goodies.  Grandpa always reads the birth of Jesus story to us.  Grandma always plays the piano and we all sing carols.  This year Rose played Deck the Halls when we sang that song.  We had a fun gift exchange.  During the visit Rose really enjoyed playing on grandma's piano!

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Back at home Rose enjoyed a day of shopping and going to the movies with the Beck's.