The Return of the Surprise House

It's December and that means the return of the Surprise House! Here is what the House has had us do so far....

December 1
I was actually sick this day so we didn't get started until the 2nd.

December 2
"Put up the Christmas tree" - All of our decorations, really. And lots of Christmas music to help us get in the spirit.

December 3
"Eat candy canes" - Always a fun one.

December 4
"Eat Christmas ice cream" - Dreyers Peppermint, to be exact. Due to a behavioral issue, Sadie missed out on her chance to participate in Surprise House activities on this day. Bummer.

December 5
"Drink Christmas milk" - Target always has holiday flavored milk at Christmastime. Our favorite is Chocolate Mint.

December 6
"Play with Cousins A and Z" - My cousin Stephanie watched the kids for us while Andrew and I went to Andrew's work Christmas party. The kids were excited to play with her boys!

December 7
"Watch Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas" - They had a "picnic" while they watched.

December 8
"Take a glow bath" - This momma thinks that the kids are a little too old for bath pictures on the internet, but they had a great time playing with glow sticks in the bath.

Thanksgiving 2012

This Thanksgiving was quite the holiday for our family. We spent it in Arkansas with 31 of Andrew's family members (including us)! It was the first time in a number of years that everyone was able to get together at the same time, so it was a special time. Thirty-one is also the number of hours we spent driving there and back. Yikes! We spent the night at my parent's house coming and going, so we also got to briefly see some of my family members.

The kids with their great-grandpa (my Grandpa)....

....and their cousins!

With Grandma and Poppy.

On the road again to Arkansas, we met Andrew's dad for lunch!

The following day was spent spending time with family at Andrew's grandparents home. Here are the kids playing with some of their second cousins.

Handsome guy!

Gorgeous girl!

Three Parkers!

A room full of family.

The following day, we took advantage of some great weather by having a picnic outside!

Our family on Thanksgiving Day!

Everyone enjoying a delicious Thanksgiving meal!

The next day we did a photo shoot with the family. Andrew's cousin's wife, Christina, took the photos and did a great job! *Photo credit Adelphia Photography*

First cousins....

....and second cousins!

The kids with Nonni!

All 31 of us!

The weather was chilly during pictures, so the kids shared Daddy's jacket to stay warm.

Getting a little more playing time in before having to get back on the road!

Saying good-bye!

Stopping to enjoy some Braum's on Day 1 of travel on the way back home.

One thing that I really miss about Oklahoma....these unbelievable sunsets.

A welcome sight near the end of Travel Day 2....almost home!