Dallas 8th Birthday

 One of the presents we gave Dallas was a couple of rides at MB2 the indoor motor cart track in Des Moines. They had a great Groupon.com deal 

Robert and Dallas went and took their rides after Christmas and they both enjoyed the experience.

 We had the grandparents and family over for a little birthday celebration. Of course he got Legos and they got put to use right away!

 Robert and I gave Dallas a Traaxas remote control Slash truck.  It gets played with a lot and hasn't broken yet.  It looks really fun.

 Loving on his sisters

 Having a friend party in December is fairly difficult. I talked Dallas into having a couple buddies over on a Thursday night to watch the Iowa vs. Iowa State Mens Basketball game and call it a birthday party. We ordered pizza, had popcorn and ice cream. Everyone took guesses on what the score would be. It was a good time, but in reality all they really wanted to do was play wrestle-tackle football in the living room.  I don't really consider my house to be super large. But having a couple extra humans, plus a Christmas tree set up makes it crazy. Next year remind me to see if I can rent a wrestling room for the party.

 Eating!

 Three pizzas was just the right amount

 Cole, Trent, Micah, Dallas and Lucas

Playing with the Traaxas in the snow for the first time.

The Perfect Gift 2016

This church event has weaved it's way into our family Christmas traditions. Again this year we made treats attached an invite to The Perfect Gift and handed it out to over 20 people in our neighborhood. 

My kids absolutely love doing this. 

This year we strongly encouraged Grandpa Dallas to get involved so we signed him up to be a greeter at the door! I think he liked it?

 We also decorated again. This year we did a Patriotic tree. It was more of a hassle this year because the prelit tree we were provided was not working. The lights they had available were icicle lights. We ended up at Walmart to try to remedy the situation and came out with one package of LED blue, and a pack or regular red. It is breaking Robert's Christmas mantra to mix lights or use LED, but it was a make it work situation.  Most of the ornaments were Robert's moms and then we borrowed some from a friend who had done a USA tree in the past.

The girls were in the Christmas show/pageant. Emily had a singing solo, she was a sheep with curly horns. Noelle was an angel.

We also pulled taffy all day. I think we did 6 batched. The last batch was without my Dad and Barb, but only  made possible by my sister. I think she hit the nail on the head, I might be a little too distracted in that environment to successfully get a batch cooked. But she is a pro! For some reason I can't find a picture of that awesomeness!

Winter Pictures!

 Noelle and a finished phonics book!

 Emily and her car! 

 Robert took each kid on a date to shop for their siblings. Looks like Noelle got a hot chocolate out of the deal!

 Emily modeling a headband we liked at a local store

 The devotion we used this Christmas required a candle. I couldn't find one locally, my nephew made this at preschool, so I am posting it to remember for next year!

 I love this little bag from Aldi. I eat this with shredded chicken frequently for lunch. One bag lasts me about 4-5 days. It is easy to prepare when I have the chicken on hand. I like it with a sprinkling of sriracha sauce.

 I didn't make Christmas PJ's this year at it was so pleasant! These pajamas came with a pack of markers so the kids could color in their shirts!

 We had an apple pie making party. Invited the expert Benji and his daughter Abby over to show us the ropes. Total we made over 20 pies. Emily and Abby made at least 7 between themselves.

Some of the men from the pie prep party.