Christmas in Cole Camp

We spent the last weekend of the year in Cole Camp to celebrate Christmas.  The cousins had a great time playing together and Emma loves little kids so she was so happy to be with Emerson.  Lesa managed to get a shot of all five of the younger cousins after church with all looking and smiling at the camera.

Christmas 2018

We got up and opened presents from Santa, ate breakfast and then headed to church.  Shortly after service started, Josh said he wasn't feeling good.  Brad took him downstairs where he got sick to his stomach.  Since Emma was serving as Crucifer, we all couldn't leave so Brad took Josh home and Emma and I got a ride home after service.  Whatever happened at church, Josh rebounded by the time we got home and was ready to open some more presents.  The rest of the day was a pretty low key affair.  

They both got chromebooks.  Emma figured it out a lot quicker than Josh and was excited to say the least.

Christmas Eve

Cookie baking time on Christmas Eve.  Need to make sure she have some yummy treats for Santa's arrival.  Josh still loves red hots or "hot reds" as he calls them.  Good thing that he'll eat the cookies too or they might go to waste since he has a tendency to overdo it a bit.  After cookies, Emma helped make Angel Food Pie.  Can't wait until I can turn all the baking over to her. 

Christmas Break

Our Wildcats were out of school three days earlier than most schools in Little Rock so we got to have some fun before things got crazy.  Brad stayed home with them Monday, Wednesday, and Friday while I took Tuesday and Thursday.  We had fun bowling, going to the zoo, the Museum of Discovery, and climbing.  Emma got to pet a hedgehog, which is evidently her spirit animal.  We all went to see Finding Neverland on Saturday night.  Josh and Brad could have done without and were disappointed that it wasn't more about Peter Pan.  I enjoyed it and Emma found herself somewhere in the middle.  We had tickets the same night as the Kolbs and Morrisons so we met for dinner before heading to Robinson.

Grace Lutheran Kids Christmas Program

Josh was Joseph and Samantha was Mary for the Christmas Program.  Emma graduated out of a costume and got to read at the lectern.

Polar Express 2018

Emma had basketball practice after school was released so we sent her to practice and then it was off to Branson for the Polar Express.  The weather was cool and rainy so we didn't spend a whole lot of time exploring the Landing the first night.  Dinner and then back to the hotel to get ready to ride.  We managed to trick Josh into thinking that the Hobo had stolen his ticket; he was getting totally stressed as the Conductor was getting closer and nearly had a panic attack.  Sorry Josh but we sure did get a kick out of your distress.  The next morning was cold but sunny and dry.  We started with breakfast at our favorite place, the Branson Cafe and then to the Landing because no trip to Branson is complete without visiting the Cardinal store.  Josh had no interest in Santa at Bass Pro because he "isn't the real Santa."

Last Day of School

School got out for Christmas on December 14th.  The morning started with the sing-a-long followed by the class parties.  Fifth grade had a Mexican theme with a live Mariachi band.