Date Night in Mena...

I know you are thinking..Date Night in Mena?, what is there to do (at least that is what Chris thought)?  But there are actually several things to do there, but we settled for dinner with Tiffany and Kevin.  Normally, the kids and I go over to Tiffany's house and hang out one of the days that I am there, but this time since Chris was with me we decided to make it a date night for the big kids.  We haven't been out on a double date since they lived in Farmington about 10 years ago...TOO LONG!!!

 

It was a lot of fun, we went to this Italian place in town, and had the best time just hanging out and talking!  I wish we could do this more.  Thanks Tiffany and Kevin for a great night out!

 

Melissa and them were gracious enough to hang with the kids while we went out, and let me tell you they had a really good time too.  Edd spun them around on the dinner pallet...so much fun!

 

This girl and I have been friends for what seems to be forever.  I was thinking the other day how crazy it is that we were so good at writing and talking on the phone even though we lived 2 1/2 hours away.  I am forever grateful for my Aunt Lavon and Uncle Jerry living across the street from her sweet family, and allowing me to spend at least 2 weeks during the summer with them!

 

I sure do love this girl!

Baking, Airplanes, and Planking...

We decided that after Christmas we would take a trip to Mena, and hang with some of my family.  Chris doesn't normally get to go with us during Spring Break (very busy time for him), and he hasn't been since my friend Tiffany's wedding which was 12 years ago.  So, off we went to Mena, and we had such a good time.  I love hanging out with Shane and Melissa and their families, and they always make us feel so welcome!

Last Spring Break Edd was baking pies, and let Kennedy help him, so I guess this is becoming their thing...they made homemade biscuits and gravy on Sunday morning before church for us...yummy...they know how to keep me coming back!

 He is so sweet and patient while teaching her and letting her help...

 Night 2 we went over to Shane's new house to eat and hang out...let me tell you it was a fun filled night. We started out with airplane rides...

 Then did a little planking... (one of my friends is starting a 30-day planking challenge, so they decided to time each other)

 I love this picture of the kids...I love that Daryan and Seth (2 oldest) let our kids take over their lives for a few days.  Kennedy and Bailey actually ended up staying the night with Daryan and had the best time.  Again, I sure do love my family!

 And finished it off our last night with some more baking...this time some more pies...

 Such a cute pic!

Thanks Pucketts and Torix's for letting us invade your space for a few days, we had such a good time!!!!

More Christmas Fun...

We had such a wonderful time with all our families over the Holidays...

 

Next Christmas stop...Nana Flynt's house.  The kids did a white elephant type gift exchange this year, this is them waiting patiently for their turn to pick a gift.  We had all gender neutral gifts for them to chose from, and I think they all liked what they ended up with, well except poor Laurel, she probably had no idea how to play Jenga :).  They were all then blessed with gifts from Nana...they are all spoiled...

Our last party was at Papa Flynt's house...we were going to be out of town when the others got together, so we met with them earlier.  These 4 again waiting to nicely for their gifts to be handed out and then opened them.  They loved all of them.  Again, we are so blessed!

 

 

Thanks to all of our families that made this Christmas one to remember.  I got to see my cousin from Alaska and her family, and so many more.  I cherish these times with each of our families, and so do our kids.  I say this a thousand times, but we love our families, and getting to hang out with them is always a blast.  I am so glad that on both sides of our families our kids have a lot of cousins that love them and love to play together.  Love our family time!

Christmas morning...

We always wake up on Christmas morning and do Christmas with just us, and then my parents and sister and her kids come over for breakfast and gifts.  So, this year was like every other, the kids woke up and saw what santa and us had gotten them.  They are so good with what they get, even when it is clothes that they open.  I love that about them, yes they want more gifts, but they never complain about what they get, I hope that is always the case. 

My sweet family...

 Opening their santa gifts... (Carter a tablet and girls Leapsters)

 When I say Carter likes to read it is an understatement...he LOVES it, and is very good at reading.  Sometimes I have to remind myself that he is only in 1st grade, because of the level at which he reads.  So, this year we got him some chapter books, and he was so excited!

 Look at that hair...

 So focused...

 So excited!!!

 The big kids got to go to the Holiday Shoppe at their school that the PTO puts on each year.  Its a way for kids to be able to get their parents something special for Christmas without having to spend too much, and something they can pick out on their own.  Well, the girls got Chris these santa and penquin bobble heads and he loved them!

 I do have to pride myself this year...I listen to what Chris has be HINTING to me for about 2 months now and got him that for Christmas.  I think he never in a million years thought I would go to the store, ask the gun counter for a rifle and bring it home.  Well, that is exactly what happened, I was so excited that he was surprised by my gift.  Can you tell he is a little happy?  He is so ready to go out and shoot it...weird I know, but that's what he wanted...

Webb Family Christmas...

We had our annual Christmas Eve gather with the Webb's at my cousins Misty & Lance's house.  It is always a good time with the family.  The kids all ran around playing games inside and out, and the bigger kids adults played cards, dominoes and ate non-stop.  I even got Chris to play double handed Canasta with me, and if you know Chris you know how much he dislikes that game because of how long it takes...well the icing on the cake, we won!!!  So, he is stuck playing with me, as we are unstoppable when on the same team, at least this time.  :)

These are my cousins Marie (L) and Ashlyn (R) with the girls.  They are so grown up, and my girls love both of them so much!  They definitely entertained them while we played...

 And this is my cousin Jennifer's (the one in Alaska) youngest...Isn't she adorable?  She really did like Chris, you just can't tell by her face.  I just wanted to squeeze those cheeks...

This was the kick-off to our Christmas', and it definitely started out strong.  I love my family and all the times that we get together and the fun we have!

On another note, my cousin Sherri has a birthday today!  Happy Birthday Sherri!!!!

Progressive Birthday Dinner...

My sweet friend Danielle had a birthday on the 27th, but because of the holiday we celebrated the Monday before Christmas.  We had a progressive dinner at some of her favorites to celebrate.  We started with appetizers at Mojitos, dinner at Houlihans, and dessert at Starbucks (we tried Bliss, but they were closed). We had some good laughs, and ended our night with some funny YouTube videos which is one of our favorite things to do.  Thanks to this group of ladies (and the ones that weren't able to make it), you are so fun to be around.

Our group at Houlihans...

 This coaster was so funny...Lauren is probably the furthest person I know that would get beer pressured...so funny!

Happy late Birthday post Danielle, it was great celebrating you!

Kickin it off with clean teeth...

We started out our Christmas vacation with our annual teeth cleaning!  They all did so good and, except for the fillings that I never got filled last time, there were no new cavities.  Now to get Kennedy and Bailey in for fillings...Carter was supposed to have his today, but he came down with the stomach bug, so no dentist appt for him. 

Look at all those pearly whites...