Merry Christmas!

Due to COVID, we didn't attend our regular Christmas Eve party. But instead, decided to go out to a nice dinner at Bonefish, just the 4 of us.  It was delicious!  We were home in time to scatter our reindeer food, leave our cookies and milk out for Santa, and still snuggle in bed by 8:30.  This is the only night of the year that my children are excited to go to bed. 

Christmas morning didn't disappoint.  Santa brought both kids exactly what they wanted.  Reese got her American BOY doll, and Brooks received his Nintendo Switch. They were both over the moon.  We opened all our presents at our house and then headed to the farm to have Christmas at Mimi and Pawpaw's. 

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Mimi always has matching pajamas for all the kids. They had the best time opening their presents.  These little nuggets have no idea how good they've got it. 😏 

 

Mom surprised Dad with a new Weber grill.

And Dad surprised Mom with diamond earrings 😍

Playing reindeer games

It was a wonderful day together!

Big Cedar

After Mamaw's burial on Friday, we went to eat as a family at Cracker Barrel. Then Matt, the kids, and I headed to Branson to spend the weekend at Big Cedar.  We had the most amazing time and it was so good for our hearts, after a long and emotional week, to soak in the Christmas spirit and enjoy the holiday season. 

When we arrived, we checked into the lodge.  We had a beautiful Christmas tree in our room, and a fireplace that pretty much ran non-stop.  It was so magical to me.  We decided to grab dinner at Devil's Pool and then go ice skating.  We also participated in the scavenger hunt to find all the elves that were on the property.  I think this was one of Reese's favorite things we did.  We walked around and looked at all the lights and it was truly wonderful.  I love Christmas time so much, and I needed this trip.  I feel like 2020 has dampened my spirit. It shouldn't, but it has.  This little weekend getaway was so perfect for our little family.

We started our Saturday with breakfast with Santa. I love that my children are growing older and more independent, but I will so badly miss these magical days around Christmas.  Breakfast was delicious, and getting to see the big guy in red one more time was the icing on the cake. After breakfast, we spent the majority of our day at Fun Mountain.  

We went bowling as a family, played many games in the arcade, watched the kids smack computerized bats on the climbing wall, got dizzy on the bumper cars, and made stockings.  It was such a fun day!!

Saturday night, we grabbed a quick bite on the property and went to watch the lighting of the tree.  There were so many Christmas characters there to make it magical, and the big ending of Christmas fireworks was probably my favorite.  We also got to snap a quick photo op with Vixen and Cupid. 🦌

That night we let the kids jump in the jacuzzi tub for a bubble bath and I enjoyed a nice glass of wine by the fire and Christmas tree.  

Sunday morning, we grabbed a quick breakfast and headed to Snowflex Park around 11:00. It was a BLAST!!  I was really proud of the kids for conquering their fear of being a little bit scared to do it.  After our first time down, they loved it!

We drove home Sunday afternoon and my heart was so full.  It was the best weekend I could've asked for. I'm so thankful we were able to make such great memories. 💖