Branson Weekend

On a very cold weekend in the middle of December we headed to Branson for an overnight getaway with the Stearle family.  It was SO MUCH FUN!  We rented a townhouse in Branson and enjoyed movies by the fireplace, games in our pj's and lots of just fun play time.  My favorite thing that we did had to be Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede.  I am not a "Branson person" at all but I have always wanted to go to this particular show and it did not disappoint.  The kids and the grown ups absolutely loved it!!!!  Our plan was to enjoy the lights at Silver Dollar City after the show but it was freezing cold and raining so we opted for an indoor put put golf game instead.  The next day we hung out at the townhouse until check out and then had some fun at an indoor arcade and play area.  Cole hit the jackpot and won 1,000 tickets!  He was so excited!!!  I think all of the kiddos passed out from all of the fun on the car rides home.  It was such a nice break from our normal routine and something we will definitely be doing again in the future!

Cookie Decorating

This past week Cole, Lily Kate and I hosted our 4th annual cookie decorating party.  We have had to trim down the guest list a bit each year because our group of friends keeps having babies!!!  We love that but we are simply out of space for a big party so we kept it cozy and still had a lot of fun!  Since the kids had been stuck inside their houses for a week they opted for more play time than cookie decorating time which was just fine.  They loved being together and they did enjoy decorating a few cookies and eating a few snacks in between playing and running around.  The moms had a very nice and relaxing time catching up and talking as well.  We cherish these friends and these memories.

Gingerbread Men

We tried our best to stock up on fun activities before the snow hit because we knew we would be stuck at home for a few days.  One new thing we tried this year was decorating Gingerbread Men.  The kids had a lot of fun and were able to spend some good quiet time decorating their own huge cookie!

Buds

These two just loved having their Pops here for an extended visit!!!

My Little Snowman

Cole had always loved the fun that comes with snow...even when he was a baby.  This year he has shocked me though.  It is so incredibly cold outside and we are having to drag him in when his cheeks look so red that they might burst.  But his smile never fades, his laughter never stops and he never stops asking, "When can I go back outside?"

Walking In A Winter Wonderland

Slide!

She is a lover of adventure and fun!  Her favorite snow day activity so far...zipping down the ice covered slide.