Christmas Festivities

Our holidays began with the traditional ginger bread house decorating. Benny insisted. It makes me happiest when these 4 are together sharing in the same activity.

I was in charge of planning Josh's work party this year. It went over well. We held it at a restaurant where Josh was thrilled about the all you can eat sushi lunch special.

Christmas gathering at the Hogan's house. They also invited neighbors and the guys aren't pictured.

The kids school had 2 separate Christmas performances. This is the K-3rd grade. The other was the entire elementary and Benny performed on stage with the bucket drummers. I only took a video.

I somehow got this crew of non picture takers to be creative in thanking some far away relatives for gifts.

I think it's recognizable. Good job people! Jackson even smiled.

Christmas Eve service at church.

Christmas Eve with family and friends. We ate yummy food and played games.

Christmas morning!!! Of course Benny was the 1st person up before the sun.

I was most excited about Benny's gift. His room was off limits all week to be used as the gift wrapping area. He got a bunk bed and room remodeled to make it more kid friendly.

The kids kept saying "Look at this!" as they noticed all the changes. Aaron & Benny had a sleepover already. Benny typically sleeps in one of the boys rooms, part of why we fixed up his space.

I think he LIKES it!

Christmas morning gift opening. My 2nd favorite reaction was Jackson's to a 100 sided dice and others similar. He kept laughing and falling on the ground out of excitement.

Annual Christmas Day at Mimi's house.

Joyce is quite the cook and we were all spoiled by a fantastic meal with dessert.

Opening gifts. There's my brother Christopher. He drove down with my mom and nephew.

Snuggling with my guys. How many people can fit on one couch!?

The granny friends.

Oh my word! Josh's favorite gift. Look out.

Merry Christmas 2018! My very favorite gifts are these sweet people I love. >

Thanksgiving in Cincy

Oh, beautiful fall. This japanese maple in our front yard was glorious this year.

The day before Thanksgiving we drove half way to Pigeon Forge, TN and stayed overnight at a hotel. The kids got to watch their favorite cable TV show, Teen Titans Go and swim in the pool.

Thanksgiving Day we ate a delicious FREE breakfast and watched more TV before heading out. The boys got a little wild.

We also did some online Amazon black Friday shopping, from the hotel room, so convenient.

Made it to Cincinnati in time for the Thanksgiving Day feast.

My mom graciously prepared all the food. On our way there, Addy's face started getting red with a rash.

Got to see Ashley! The next day Addy was worse so we took her to the clinic and she had strep throat & some sort of dermatitis reaction from soap.

The boys enjoyed playing with cousin Mason. My mom got sick both nights we were there. The 1st we thought was food related but the 2nd night realized she was sick.

We booked it home Saturday morning to be greeted by these two in their yin yang position, according to the kids.

Sunday both Aaron and Benny woke up puking but luckily the rest of us were spared. Phew! Thankful we made it home.

YAY for November Birthdays!

We celebrated our friend Allison's birthday with a night out at Top Golf. Our 1st time, so fun!

Aaron turned 10 on November 10th!

No celebration for him is complete without friends. He had Ethan & Chloe over from school and the Molskness crew.

Mimi made a fun ice cream cake for all to enjoy.

Mimi's birthday!! We celebrated with a trip to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC.

Perfect size zoo, not as large as the NC, and it was beautiful weather.

The giraffes were our favorite!

Look how close! Of course she had to pet them.

Benny was hangry by the end. So we stopped at Culver's, Joyce's favorite restaurant from up north, on our way home.

Addy's 14th birthday!!! And believe it or not, I've got to register her for HIGH SCHOOL next month.

She invited 3 of her friends over for a sleepover.

Then the next day we celebrated with Mimi and another of her famous ice cream cakes.

Whether Addy likes it or not, there's always lots of little boys around to celebrate her too.

October - The Very Best Month of All

That's right. I'm officially old but couldn't be happier with life right now. Fabulous 40!

My sweet girlfriends surprised me with a get together with all my favorite people.

I felt so loved and what better way to celebrate then to be with friends. THANKS everyone! You guys are the best!

My family threw me a party at home too before we left. Thanks Joyce!!!

I'm trying to be better about holiday decorating so happy fall y'all.

Pumpkin carving must be part of the tradition.

Annual trick or treating in Mimi's neighborhood with friends.

Me and a very handsome ninja.

Adults out dressed the kids this year!

Our entire group. Got to hang out with all my favorite people AGAIN!

My friend Steph has the best ideas. She's so fun! She even bought this costume for me. Thanks Stephy!

Benny is pretty happy about his cotton candy. Some houses go all out.

Annual candy dumping at Joyce's.

Benny is the best at organizing his candy. He was calling Steph "Mom" from behind. A compliment to me!

Addy was gone on her 8th grade retreat to a camp. But she still got to wear her costume to a friend's party over fall break. Her and Keira as anime characters. LOVE her wig!