Christmas 2016

We had such a great time this Christmas vacation!

For the first time ever, we took the kids out of school a day early. Its amazing how my standards have changed since I made all those "My kid will never do that" statements 10 years ago. But it was a great decision this year and no truancy officer has come to take me to jail yet.

We did the 11 hour ride to OK in one day, which we usually split into 2. It was nice to just get it done and wake up at Grandma and Grandpa's!

This is a fun screen shot of the weather we were facing when we left Friday morning. Yay for winter travel!

But we made it work.

Laura's flower

My caterpillar

Its just sooooo funny!

Found a gas station with humor

"Diet Ice"

!

Hey there good looking! I think you have a little something on your nose.

Dad took Kim, me, and both kids to see Rogue One. Check out the line!! We sat down just as the last preview was ending, so it worked out perfectly. It was Adam's first time to join us in this tradition and it was lovely to have him.

Dad is channeling Obi Wan as we wait for tickets.

Kim and I went with Cousin Annie to check out Ree Drummond's Pioneer Woman Mercantile in Pawhuska. It has cute stuff, yummy baked goods and coffee, and a ridiculous line into the shop by the time we left. Luckily, we arrived before the line started. 

And snapped a quick pic with a famous, handsome cowboy

We had some fun with power tools...

...and hand tools.

And took a walk to the lake, of course.

And went to Army Corp land on a manure hunt for Mom.

Dad made us some pancake art.

At Aunt Rosemary's, Uncle Kenny let the kids take the Mule out by themselves for the first time. They took turns driving, used Reverse, and didn't even run over the dog!

Bob and Kate put together a surprise carnival for us, including T-shirts (mine's different because I won the participation award!) and games like ring toss, throwing darts at balllons, and a cake toss, and lots and lots of prizes. So much fun!

Laura, Bob and Kate made a blanket with her new Christmas sewing machine!

The material was part of the gift and was all cut and ready to go!

It is keeping her warm on her bed as I type!

And Kim made me my most favorite purse ever. I found the pattern on Etsy. The pattern is full of mistakes and problems, but she turned it into this beautiful purse that I will probably make her make me again and again and again.

With the leftover blanket fabric and her new sewing machine, Laura made herself a purse too.

Help! I'm being attacked by balloon animals!

And then we came back to reality at home. 

I actually took this picture because it was so pretty and I'm thoroughly enjoying the snow.  Next week is supposed to be 40 and I'm bummed it might melt before we get to cross-country ski.