2016: Memories

As I've read back through this year's blog, one word seemed to come up often: Memories.  We made a lot of memories in 2016.  Parts of the year were pretty rough.  Daddy had a severe stomach ache for the first few months.  Mommy had 4 leg procedures/ surgeries to deal with varicose veins between June and December (and may still have to have one more).  Ella fell off a scooter scratching up her face. Both girls dealt with many coughs (although not as bad as in years past), ear aches, tummy aches, etc. But... we also made many great memories as well: vacation to San Antonio, several trips to Six Flags, birthdays, and general fun as a family.  Overall, I do believe we made more happy memories than sad.  I love my family so very much.  God has been with us in the bad and smiled with us in the good.  I thank God for my family!

December Fun

Looking at Christmas Lights:

 The girls made Christmas cookies at a friend's house:

 School Christmas Parties:

 Donuts with Mom during Christmas break:

 After all the Legos, we decided to put together a puzzle:

 Sleeping Sillies:

 Yes, there is a child under there:

A Very Lego Christmas

Daddy and both girls received Lego sets for Christmas this year.  They all worked very hard on them, and have already completed them.

Emma's set is an adventure tree house.  Aleisha helped her complete it in one day!

 Ella put together an amusement park.  While she did the majority of it on her own, she did have a little help from Mommy.

 Daddy put together all 4,080 pieces on Cinderella's castle in 4 days!  Mommy even got to put a few of the pieces together.

Merry Christmas

We had a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve Jammies:

 Uncle Richard reading "The Night Before Christmas:"

 Daddy reading the true story of Christmas from the book of Luke:

 Goodies for Santa:

 The children were nestled all snug in their... toy room, because company was in their beds.  They didn't mind though:

 Santa brought Legos!!

 Girls gifts to each other:

 Ella casting a spell on me with the wand she received from Emma:

 Now for the stockings:

 Presents:

 So excited to get a Nerf bow:

More gifts:

 Daddy got some Nerf guns, so he can defend himself:

 Hmmmm..... What's in that one, Daddy:

 A Disney Lego Castle!

 Meanwhile, Mommy received an Apple Watch!!

 And a Disney Vera Bradley purse!

 After presents and breakfast, it was time to get ready for worship services:

Counting our many blessings this morning!!

Ears Pierced!

One of our girls' Christmas presents this year is getting their ears pierced.  Emma has been asking for this for some time, but it took a little convincing with Ella.  When we got in the store, however, Ella was the brave one, while Emma was very nervous.  In the end, though, they both did fantastic!

 Glad Cousin Aleisha, Aunt Connie, and Uncle Richard were here with us.

 Here we go! (They had 2 employees available to pierce ears, so we were able to do both of them at the same time.)

 Amazingly, Ella did not shed a single tear.

 Emma shed a few, but not too many.

 Seeing themselves:

 Our beautiful girls with freshly pierced ears (and a new toy):