Terrible. Just terrible.

I am a loser.  A blogging loser.  I have taken no pictures.  I have written zero blogs.  LOSER!  I didn't even get my camera out once at Christmas. 

 

It was glorious.  I enjoyed my kiddos and didn't think once about getting the perfect shot.  I am not saying that I will do that every year but this year was nice.

 

I am preparing to construct my yearly blog book so I will be absent for a bit.  But I will be back in 2014 with much vigor!

 

Here are a few parting shots for 2013...

 

The dudes in a Minecraft haze.

Hi babies!

Always a party around here!

This sweet thing got "boops" from her Grandmolly for Christmas.  She LOVES them!

See Grandmolly!

The girls.  Jolie, Micah and Ridgleigh, Jolie's good friend.

See, always a crazy, crazy party!

 

Winter wonderland is stinkin' cold!

We are in the middle of an Arctic freeze here in the Panhandle.  It is 20 degrees today but will be 17 tomorrow.  Not the coldest we have ever been but it is sticking around far longer than I would like it to. 

 

We have animals secured and winterized.  We have water running to keep the pipes from freezing.  But we have still frozen.  Having to boil water to do the dishes makes me feel like a real pioneer.  That's life on the prairie folks.

 

Praying that you are warm and cozy where you are today.  Enjoy these shots from the Tundra of Texas.

 

I am a mean mom.  I never let my babies go out in the snow.  But I do bring the snow in to them!  (Do you like the beads with the footie jammies?  We like to dress our best.)

Jolie is teaching Micah how to eat snow the right way.

Levi photo-bombing Micah.

These boys couldn't wait to go out!  Asher, who is that snowball for?

Oh!!  It was for Zaddie!

Three amigos.

Love these weirdies.

It is a COLD, COLD winter!

In other news...

Matt's mustache challenge came to an end.  So we took some memorial photos.  Goodbye old friend.

Say hello to MY new friend!!!  5 years ago, when I was pregnant with Levi, my family surprised me with my first Kitchen-Aid.  I used the heck out of that thing!  Many meals began in that mixer.  Tragically, my love for it led to it's demise.  I set some bread to knead one day and came back in the kitchen to a horrible smell!  Smoke was pouring out of the motor.  I was so sad!  But my sweet husband could not let me be without for very long.  Hooray for early Christmas presents!  He got me a professional version which might be more durable for our usage.  I think the color is adorable.  Happy Mama!

 

Canadian trip (part 2)

I'm telling you, this is a beautiful place.

Birdie took a break.

I love this.  If only her face wasn't dirty!

The girls took a turn with the camera.  I think they did a beautiful job!

She is either contemplating her 12 years or getting ready to stomp a brother.

Of course there was some tree climbing.

Gracie took this family photo of us in front of the giant cottonwood. 

Birdie decided to split.

Her big brother wouldn't let her get very far.

Being hidden on these back trails is a little magical.



You don't find this much where we live.  It is a nice oasis on the prairie.

Matt was feeling artistic.

I just love the shots he got.

 

 

These guys were not as excited about our artistic walk.  They were tired and ready for ice cream.

The road home.

We will see you next year!

Canadian, our annual trip! (Part 1)



We gained a kid for our trip this year.  This is Gracie.  She and Jolie are tight, and goofy, and fun.  We are at the bridge in Canadian.  We like to get a few shots before crossing.

This is

Asher's jumping

picture sequence.

And Zaddok

The girls

The guys

The deer. She was spying on us as we crossed the bridge.

Hi sweet Weebies

Asher chose to run the entire length of the bridge.  The little boys followed.  These girls, they made it halfway before they were oh so tired.

Our favorite part of crossing the bridge is the water.  These tiny fish are always there.

It was so beautiful.

The colors were changing.  Such brilliant golds.

After the bridge we made the drive to the lake.  There are wonderful little wooded trails that we like to visit.

This girl hitched a ride with Daddy.

Our boy did security on the trail.  You know, just in case.

This beautiful plant is all over.  It is soap wort.  Not edible but can be used for washing.

She loves her daddy.

He is growing up.

Love these girls!

And this sweet boy.

Lots of love to go around.