And the Ball Drops!

But I doubt anyone in my family was awake to see it!

Here's the makings for a winner of a night though:
Dinner with lemel-aid for the New Ears, requested by Ollie.  A game to follow; Uno requested by Seth.  Camping in the basement for the grand finale.  Then throw in some Pinochle after the tent dwellers fall asleep.  

 

I was just reading some blogs and remembering that people blog about year end reviews.  I was commenting to Jon that I'm not a real blogger because I completely forget about things like that and he said I should blog about a year pre-view; what to expect in 2015.  At first I thought he was totally crazy because it is clear we can not plan or expect much in our crazy lives (for instance, Carson left our home today after a short 15 days- totally unexpected) but he went on to explain that in 2015 our readers should expect posts to be a few weeks after the fact, birthday pictures and the like put up late.  Ha! Now that sounds more like it!

 

Cheers!  A good and hard 2015 awaits!

 

Christmas and the aftermath

Sheesh!  It's hard to blog with an almost one year old in your lap!  Or crying by your feet on the floor after you banish him there for general keyboard banging. 

Christmas was wonderful!  However, starting Christmas Eve or so, we have been dropping like flies.  Currently we've got one confirmed flu case who also has an ear infection, one on antibiotics for bronchitis, one on antibiotics for a sinus infection, two sickies that didn't go to the doctor, one who randomly threw up and has been fine since, and one who has remained well.  We've been passing around Purell and Zicam liberally. 

I've got lots of recapping to do, but let's just settle for a few pictures today!

 

 

 

Christmas Eve

The Motts, Christmas 2014

A Full December!



It's been a busy month!  Jon, the intrepid Geocacher, finished a major goal he has been working on since 2007.   

Caches in all Texas counties!  And people, what do you make of that beard?? For the record it was inspired by a Royals pitcher in the World Series. 

 

Momo and Mimi have been here a fortnight!  That's long enough that we had to wash the guest sheets mid-stay.  :) 

We've been busy with early morning coffee and crafts.

 

We've witnessed first-hand the pros and cons of school lunch...

 

Mimi brought lots of books for the boys to open as a countdown 'til Christmas. 

 

 

We've gotten giant milkshakes and shoestring fries. 

We've even had a few date nights in the last 2 weeks.   

 

Of course, more cookies. 

 

Ollie and our tree. 

Very picturesque until I tell you that this tree is trying to do him in.  We put it up and it was immediately very apparent that he is allergic to it.  We were at the doctor for Seth and an ear infection (another story about us causing harm to our children; Seth and tile removal dust lead to terrible allergies for him, which resulted in an ear infection) and the doctor gave Ollie some singulair to get him through the Christmas season.  I'm happy to say he is healthy and we didn't have to move the tree outside. 

 

And of course, Carson!

We had originally thought we would wait until January to get another kiddo, but after talking about it, it kinda seemed like a no-brainer that there would be no better way to celebrate Jesus' birth than to open up our home.  Plus from a practical point of view, Jon has close to two weeks off and with Momo and Mimi around, we figured the transition would be easier now rather than later.  

And he is a major peach! He's been very easy going and a good night sleeper!

 

He's a pretty inquisitive little guy, crawling, cruising, and walking with help.  

We're already thinking about smash cakes ideas, as he turns one on Jan 3rd. 

 

And he cannot wait to start popping off those bows!

 

Merry Christmas Eve Eve!

Welcome Carson!

We break for yard sales

Like moths to a flame, my mom and I and stumbled upon a garage sale last weekend while on a walk.  You know us.  You know how this story ends.  Yep, we had to return home for a truck and a pocket full of ones. 

Our new $5 bench!

 

While fixing up the bench, we also did some work on a junky old rocking chair.

A work in progress!

 

I tell ya, little by little this house is coming together!

 

 

Royality, et al.

We had some friends over to play yesterday and Ollie couldn't resist the request to play king with these princesses.  And wouldn't you know it, our always prepared for grandson fun,  Mimi had material for crowns.

The entire Royal Family. 

(Ok, maybe not the entire family.  Seth got his later because he was at school, and Micah was at home because we were testing peanut allergies in the youngest Hohbeins.)

 

Ahh!  Addie's so excited!

Ollie has the absolute worst faces for pictures lately.  His King face was especially bad.

And Ellie's got this princess posing down!

 

I can't exactly remember who brought this up or how it started, but then these two got married.

Queen and King. 

King Ollie, not looking impressed. 

More of King Ollie, unimpressed.

Two cutie pie buddies.

Later, King Ollie was trying to teach me the royal face. 

A little more practice and I think I'll have it down.

Kinder Christmas Party

Alternative Title: Grandsons, make the weirdest face you can with your Mimi. 

My Kitchen Smells Better Than Your Kitchen.

My kitchen is a death trap for those trying to remain in the same jeans in 2015 as they pranced around in back in 2014.  We've made peanut brittle, candied pecans, spicy pecans, and cookies.  Lefse, krumkake, pralines, and turtles.  Carmel, more pecan candies, and holiday hot drinks.  I can't tell you how many times we've run out of brown sugar. 

 

Mimi and Ollie, lefse rollers

 

 

These are delicious. 

We knew we were flying to close to the sun, however, when we started to think of fillings for them. 

 

 

Cookie decorating Elfs!

 

Ruidoso