Wrapping up 2017....

A lot has happened in 2017. Some hard, some changes....but overall I am beyond thankful for how we are ending 2017. This note sums it up....one night Mike and I both had church events so we left the kids alone at night for much longer than usual. I was even later than planned....and kept trying to call the kids. I was running in the house SO fast to make sure they were okay....that I missed this note. 

The kids had done JUST fine. I had no reason to worry. The house was clean.

They were all in bed. Everything was fine. 

And that's how we are ending 2017...it's all just fine. We have been through so much with Jake and medical issues. Mike ended his first year on his own. We've gotten through it!!  Some very hard and worrisome times, but at the end of this year, we are in a much better place.

If 2017 was the year focusing on medical and major work changes...wonder what 2018 will bring??

New Years at the Ranch...

We spent 5 nights at the ranch after Christmas. While we were there, a cold front came through. And I mean COLD!!! It even snowed a little. 

Armadillo hunting is a big, important activity now. The kids love it. Even in 30 degree weather. The armadillos should fear those tough faces!!

We tried to do fireworks on New Years Eve. But it was just TOO cold...see the snow? Between the cold and wind, we postponed until the next night. No pictures from that night, but it was a good show!! Even a little added excitement when one went sideways instead of up....and when the box caught on fire after we were all done (or so we thought) and inside. 

These two...they are peas in a pod. How did they both get so grown up!??

Family Pics....

It had been awhile since we had family pictures done....and once again Brenda takes the chaos of a photo shoot with 3 kids...and manages to capture some incredible pics!!!

Christmas Lights....

We did something new this year and went to a walk through lights display in Marble Falls. It was SO cold but so beautiful. 

 Mike's big contract is with Perdernales Electric Cooperative. People who worked there had been telling him about the lights display....and it was unlike anything I have seen before. There were SO many lights. It was amazing. And we ran into friends there too!

A very dark family picture! 

Christmas Eve and Day....

Christmas Eve and Day were a whirlwind as always! We did Christmas Eve at Shirley's. This year was a little different....Sullivan and Vivienne were with Noel. 

Christmas morning was full of fun and surprises! And later that morning we went to Mom's to open gifts and have lunch. 

Annual Christmas Program....

The kids all had speaking parts in the Christmas program. It was a bit different (and shorter) than last year...but always fun to see the kids up there. 

Snowing in SA????

Who would have believed it would snow like this in San Antonio??? Out of the blue one evening about 7:00...it started with big fat flakes! The kids were in heaven. It was so much fun. And so beautiful. 

The next morning was incredible! 

 And then...since the night wasn't exciting enough, the power went out about 9:00. So we all put on a bunch of layers and climbed into bed. Power finally came on about 3am.

The snowman (or woman) lasted until early afternoon the next day!