December

The first half of this month was warm and filled with fall activities.  Our good 'ol pecan tree is going to have a record breaking year.  We haven't even brought in half of our pecans to the shelling place yet, but have gotten over 85 pounds so far.

 

 

Geocaching, of course. 

 

 

We finally put up some Christmas decorations.  We bit the bullet and bought a fake tree, as Ollie was super allergic to our live tree last year.  We hemmed and hawed (the forester wasn't thrilled) but in the end, I'm glad we did.  Having a fake tree means you get to put it up the day after Thanksgiving, which I think in the future I'll be happy to do.  

 

Ollie said the darlingest things about my efforts.  "Mom! I feel like I'm going to cry! Look at these decorations. Come 'er mom. Give me a hug."  I think it was my hanging Christmas lights in the bathroom that he and Seth share that really put it over the top for him.   

 

 

We celebrated with Seth at his school Christmas party. 

 

Then Christmas break started and we celebrated the first day by.... going to the dentist.  Ollie had his first ever cavity, and now has a crown on one of his molars, which he now calls his batman tooth. 

 

Jon and I had a cheap date night before the weather turned cold.

 

We played with friends and made Christmas crafts. 

 

Then Christmas day was finally here!  In eleven years of marriage this was our first year with a fake tree and first year with no extended family.  It was quiet and low-key, but it was also weird.

 

 

 

Then we spent the rest of our break playing and trying out new gifts. 

 

 

Dad and Ollie, excited to have matching shirts. 

 

And to finish off the month, close to a foot of snow was dumped on our town of a quarter million people and one plow truck.  I don't think we left the house (other to build another snowman or sled in the driveway) for at least seven days.  I am not exaggerating when I say we saw at least ten cars get stuck directly in front of our house.  Jon helped shovel out probably half or more of them.  

 

And that seems like a full December!  Happy New Year!