Christmas Eve and Morning

We all really loved our Christmas jammies this year. They were cute and comfy. Even Tashi had a matching neck scarf, but getting her to pose is a challenge.

The guys

The gals

Lots of stripes!

We decided that Santa would be getting enough cookies so we left him a healthier option.

The kids had never had brand new bikes before. Every bike they've had has been a hand me down. But this year, Santa brought them brand new bikes! 

The kids were surprised and excited on Christmas morning!

Jalen got a Gi because he is starting martial arts. He was so excited to get it!

He also got a suit since he is turning 12, will get the priesthood, and will start passing the sacrament.

He got a poster of himself.

Baylie also got some fun presents.

She always gets books for Christmas. This is a children's book, but it's so good.

She collects Monopoly games and I custom made her a game of Baylie Anneopoly.

She loved it.

Jalen's favorite present was a PS4. He has wanted one for a very long time.

Christmas morning is always a happy crazy.

Dianne made me and David fleece jackets. I've worn a red one she made me for over 30 years. I guess it was time for a new one!

Tashi got a Wonder Woman collar. Very stylish!

She's such a cutie pie.

Sadly, the first time Baylie took her bike for a spin, she crashed and burned. In Argentina, we say she "compró tierra." She bent up her bike and she was pretty devastated. The bike will still work, but it's a little wonky now.

All fixed! (Sort of.)

Tashi was pooped!

We went to the discount theater and saw Dune. It was really well done.

Baylie tried out her new hair straightener. She loves wearing her hair straight. (I prefer it curly.)

A few days later, we tried out the new curl enhancer product she got. I love it!

We had a fantastic Christmas. God has been very good to us this year. It has been a blessing for me to stay home and have us still make ends meet. We are grateful to be a family and to be working together to make our family better.

Pecan Harvesting

Pecans are expensive! We are so grateful that the Giles familiy lets us harvest some of their pecans. They have sooo many! This year, it was a bit chilly.

We each picked a grocery bag full. When you consider that they sell for over $5 for a tiny bag, that's worth a lot of money.

Once we get home, I husk off the outer shell and rinse them off.

Then we boil them for about 10 minutes. This makes it easier to crack them and get the meat out.

Then we freeze them until we need them. They last longer if we keep them in the shell while freezing. This year Baylie learned how to make pecan pies. Yummy!!

Irmo High School Band and Chorus

 Baylie is in both band and choir at Irmo High School. This year they had a joint Christmas concert. That made things a little crazy for her.

First was the band. She plays the flute.

Next was the chorus.

It was a combined choir  with Irmo Middle and Elementary school.

Some of her friends came to support her. 

Alexa Alsup

Olivia Chorey and Belle Adams

Mailbox Miracle

Our mailbox has always been pretty cruddy. It was ugly and rusted so I at least hid it with a cute cover. One day, I leaned on it and it snapped right over. Much as I hated the mailbox, I didn't want to pay for a new one and had no idea how to start putting it up.

I posted about it on Facebook and was shocked a short time later when Greg Courtney - the amazing husband of my sweet friend, Esther, showed up.

He had everything to set up a new mailbox!! What the heck!!?? Who does that?! Obviously this sweet man does!

I love him so much. He's big and burly, but man does he have a huge heart!

Esther is one of the kindest, most giving people I know. She loves God and her family. Her son LJ is a joy - just look at this face!

In no time at all! I had a beautiful new mailbox!

God has definitely blessed me with amazing friends. I felt so loved at a time when I really needed it.