Ugly Sweater Christmas Party

We held our third annual Ugly Sweater Christmas party last weekend. We had a really good turnout this year with almost 30 of our closest friends in their tackiest attire! It's so fun when everyone participates and I think the sweaters get uglier every year! We also did our traditional White Elephant gift exchange which always brings a good laugh or two :)

Tim was this year's winner for the 'Ugliest Sweater' even though I don't think it was technically a 'sweater.' Hilarious either way and he may have even slept in it ;)

A special thanks to BeBe and Grandpa for babysitting the buckaroos again this year. After our Christmas exchange they took the kids with them to the Embassy Suites for the night. We couldn't have done it without them!

You can view all of our party pictures here.

Christmas: Part I

We celebrated Christmas with my parents last weekend. Our visit was a little short as we had to get ready for our ugly sweater party afterwards but it was a great visit nonetheless.

The kids loved their gifts. The favorites were their very own tablets! Crazy, I know, but at least now they will stop using mine :) So I was putting an app on Addie's tablet (per her request) and while looking over my shoulder she says, "Mommy, is it downloading?" I had to laugh but seriously...she is growing up way too fast! Of course, she likely learned it from us but still super cute to hear her say. That and her shouting "YESsss!" when she gets a strike on her bowling game.

You can view the rest of our pictures here. Thank you BeBe and Grandpa for a wonderful (early) Christmas! Stay tuned for Part II down in Cape Haze with John's family :)

~~ Happy Holidays! ~~

Santa

Addison did awesome, no tears this year!! I was a little worried when she didn't want to go see Santa so we weren't rushing it. But then Santa visited the kids at daycare on Monday and after that she was excited to go. I think it helped! 

We went Tuesday after school to try and avoid the long wait we always incur on the weekends. It seems the long lines are inevitable though. I'm sure it was much less crowded than the weekend but we still waited forever. The kids were great though and entertained themselves pretty well in line. The snow palace is a nice touch!

To top off our great visit with Santa, Addie even sat with the Ice Princess afterwards!! Such a big girl! :) 

RIP Jackson

Jackson

April 20, 2001 - December 10, 2013
 

It is with heavy heart that I tell you we lost a loved one this week :( We are all hanging in there and find peace knowing he is in a better place now. Jackson lived a good life!
 

 

Thanksgiving

 

We spent Thanksgiving with my side of the family again this year. We divvy up the holidays and have historically spent turkey day in Waldo and Christmas in Cape Haze. BeBe loves Thanksgiving as it is all about the food and there are no gifts to fret over. Who can argue with that? I love getting to see a good majority of my family all at one time. And we had a special treat this year...cold weather! You never know what you're going to get in Florida and I hate wearing shorts during the holidays. Granted we are already back to 80 degree weather today but it was nice while it lasted :)

 

 

There were 14 of us gathered at my parents for dinner and we had all the traditional fixings and then some. Unfortunately I caught a bug the day before and it had fully blossomed by the end of Thanksgiving Day :( By Saturday I had no voice which derailed our plans to go to the FL/FSU game. I was bummed as I had been looking forward to attending a game this season and this was my last chance but it wasn't a good game for the Gators (as we all expected). John (and Connor!) were happy with the turnout, to say the least, and I was just pleased we weren't defeated by 60+ points.

 

 

 

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well. You can see more of our weekend pictures here.