Xmas 2017 Wrap Up

My sisters, Mom and I headed back to Wayne with the kids on Friday to play pool, ping pong, shoot hoops, and get in some walking at the Community Center. It was a good outing. On Saturday, the Marshall family took off for Park Rapids and the rest of us enjoyed a lazy day at home after Marshall and I ventured to Popo’s with my Dad for breakfast. We played cards, worked on the puzzle, D-man and his cousin made a cake, and we crashed a party at the bowling alley where the kids got in some bowling and pool. There was a pretty snow falling when we left which was a great way to wrap up our last night in Pender. The boys stayed at Nana and Pop’s and Pop tucked them in.  We’re now about 3 hours from home and it has finally warmed up from -11 to -1. As always, the time goes too quickly and the real world is right around the corner. 

Hoops 

Ping pong 

Pool 

Cards 

More cards 

Lookin at D.C. pictures 

Bowling 

Pool (and a new friend) 

The cake! 

Jenna and our kids 

Home for the Holidays

It’s been very cold in Nebraska so we’ve had a lot of time indoor. We arrived on Tuesday night and had a nice turkey dinner. On Wednesday, some people went to Popo’s for breakfast. Then we had a day at home playing games, cards, doing puzzles, eating, drinking and opening presents. The adults played Meme that evening which was fun. 

Today we headed to Wayne and then failed on bowling and getting D-man’s new phone set up. We checked out Cam’s office and watched a bit of basketball instead. It was good to get out of the house for a bit even if we didnt succeed in our adventure. Tonight the kids ate dinner together and then the adults enjoyed a delicious meal. I feel very lucky that this many people can be cooped up and (mostly) get along. 

Chilling at the hotel hot tub 

Just like six years ago - staying at the Quality Inn in North Platte 


Legos! 

Helping cousins with legos 


Watching grandkids opening presents 

Opening presents 

Putting gumdrops on the gumdrop tree 

Learning life skills - Keno! 

Dinner together 

“Christmas” dinner - so blessed 

I Wish Every Day Could be Like Christmas

T-man did not really enjoy my Christmas music this season, but this week we did sing “I wish every day could be like Christmas” together and he told me liked that Christmas song. I told Marshall that I think Christmas Eve is actually more special as it is anticipation of the magic and no risk of disappointment that sometimes comes on Christmas morning when the “big gift” isn’t what the kids were hoping (it gets harder and harder every year to meet expectations). However, it was a great day and I hope the kids realize how fortunate we truly are and remember the Christmas experience more than the gifts. 

Around 5:00, we hit the road to Nebraska after packing and cleaning up. We didn’t think weather would be a factor, but it changed RIGHT as we crossed the Nebraska border. It continued to not be great basically until we got to our destination (thanks to Marshall for driving).  According to D-man, NOW we have a white Christmas. And on a Monday night exactly six years ago, we made this same trip and stayed at the same hotel. And like six years ago, finding Christmas dinner is hard in small town Nebraska.  :) 

Star Wars pjs (we all got them) 

Before the madness 

Presents! 

New sleeping bag 

The big gifts! 

Why we don’t leave until later - enjoying the gifts 

Great roads 

White Christmas 

Christmas Eve 2017

All the Peavy men shoveling 
Church 

Annual picture in front of the tree (D-man wasn’t feeling so hot, but rebounded) 

The boys before chowder and sparkling cider 

Love the lights on top..... Dman put them up without us knowing and neither marshall nor I want to fix them (and D-man is not allowed) 

In the Barn

It’s fun (and unusual) for us to have the days before Christmas free. It’s been nice to do some wrapping ahead of time, do some last minute shopping, and just enjoy the hustle and bustle of the holidays without dealing with work too. On Friday, we attended a neighbor’s annual cookie party and then another neighbor’s holiday party. On Saturday, T-man had his final futsol game, D-man spent the day with his friend and we hosted a euchre party. Lots of laughs and good times. 

D-man is NOT going to miss a party with sweets 

Cookies! 

A great bunch of kids 

Euchre 

In the barn 

Alana’s bubble wrap gift 

5th Grade Winter Concert

Fortunately, T-man was able to perform in his school concert after battling a tummy bug last night and this morning. Given that band is his favorite class, I’m so glad he felt well enough for the concert! It was a really fun performance and shows how much they have learned this year. T-man also played the bells during one of the songs for music. 

And so fun that the band and orchestra teachers joined in for Jingle Bell Rock (both of them are professional performers as well). 

Jingle Bell Rock 

https://youtu.be/oJp1SLPH2wI

Deck the Halls 

https://youtu.be/3kLxupPmDzg

When the Saints go Marching In 

The performer 

Jingle Bell RockJingle Bell Rock

Holiday Date

There was a work happy hour scheduled downtown tonight so we turned the evening into a date night. I went to happy hour briefly with my (young) co-workers and then met Marshall, Darin and Molly for dinner. Going out on Monday nights is great - easy parking and no crowds. A fun way to start off the week  (and how nice to be able to leave the boys at home). 

Union Station all decked out for the holidays 

My handsome date 

Star Wars

Our weekend wrapped up with the Star Wars movie. 

Holiday party at the Wrights 

T-man In goal during the futsol tourney Sunday 

Proud papa