Christmas Time

  

Christmas lights and wrapping paper and hot chocolate and carols: it truly is one of the most beautiful and magical times of the year.  All of the events and parties and present exchanges in December are constantly adding to the excitement! 

In our house, we have a rather relaxed Christmas Day. We start opening presents sometime between 6:00 and 7:00 A.M., and end sometime mid morning.  Granny and Papa usually leave early to travel back and we stay in for the day. * Pajamas and fuzzy blankets and apple cider and snack foods * new movies and books and games * between cat naps and trying out new gifts, we have a Doctor Who Christmas marathon.  We pull out the favorites and watch them (simi in order) throughout the day - occasionally interspersed with another tv series Christmas special.  It's truly wonderful to have Christmas itself a relaxing affair amidst all of the other holiday bustle.

using my new photography home studio set up for the first time  ^_^

Little House in the Big Woods {Thanksgiving 2014}

  Our annual family Thanksgiving comes at just the right time. The perfect break from school, work, or basic life responsibilities, we all enjoy the time away.  There's just something special about a break from the everyday, busy sort of life and taking an extra long weekend to spend time together.  Our time is filled in delightful ways. Board games and puzzles.  Various mountain hikes. A small stack of books. Target practice.  We make oh-so-much food and then buy still more.  From homemade pies to chicken nuggets, there's never a shortage of things to eat or hot things to drink. Thanksgiving in the big woods is not complete without a tower of pop cans, a fire in the living room stove, an intense game of Farkle or Blokus, Black Friday thrift store shopping, and of course a couple rolls tossed across the table.

 

 This year brought with it a new edition to the fun!  Just the week before we arrived at my grandparents house, this adorable white bunny was found wandering in the brush.  Clearly domesticated, and clearly in need of a home, Granny took him in until we could find him a home.  Of course, once I saw this little guy I knew I'd need to find him the perfect home, not just any old place.  I told my mom bunny needed a home, and - my animal addiction having been her constant companion these twenty years - she sighed and told my dad it looked like we had a new rabbit.  Look how sweet and cute he is!  we brought him home in a box in the middle seat between me and Aly, then mom and I ran out to the pet store to get him a cage and food and hay and other bunny necessities. He now lives in my room, leading a very happy and probably spoiled life, and Aunt Cheryl says he won the bunny lottery.  

Platinum Pass

(Worlds of Fun)

Having planned the survey trip of Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, it was decided that instead of our usual King's Island Gold Pass, we would get the Cedar Fair Platinum Pass.  This opened up opportunity for us to go to Cedar Point, Kings Island, and Worlds of Fun.  It was a heavy year for Roller Coastering!

Cedar Point

Now, I know I can't be the only one who looked at this crazy hill and said, "You go ahead, I'll wait here." I also can't be the only one with a crazy sister who was willing to get on it.  Sure enough, my dad and Aly waited in line for an hour, the ride closed, people got out of line, and they stayed with a small crowd waiting for it to open up again.  Thankfully it did and they were able to get almost right on.

Random nice person who sat in front of them and took selfies on the ride then sent them to us.

The above picture is of the coaster my dad and sister were on.  It looks like it's just getting ready to crest the hill, but actually it isn't - as occasionally happens on Top Thrill Dragster, there wasn't quite enough boost when the train was shot up to make it over the hill.  So they flew back down the hill backwards - Twice - before the third time when they finally made it over the hill.

Kings Island

 

Mom, Aly, and I took the kids to Kings Island before school started back up.  They had a blast!

 

 

 

The last day of the Kings Island season, the youth group took a trip down.  There are deals throughout the year if you have a pass, and on this day there was a great discount for any friends you brought.  It wasn't very busy, but it was very cold. Of course only a few teenagers actually brought hats or gloves or coats, so an extra pair of purple gloves was passed around.  There were a couple in the group who had never been to Kings Island before, or even on roller coasters, so it was quite an experience, and a lot of fun!