Christmas Eve

Christmas came too quickly this year; it does every year now. For breakfast, Cailey joined us this year. We went to Black Bear again, which was good, however they did shorten their menu, so there wasn't as many things. We left all stuffed to open Pjs and gifts. 

Our Pj's this year were bands (Cailey was Studio Ghibli-her favorite movie studio). Everyone liked what they got for their gift exchange too. 

Jacks got me Legos and we build one. Then we played Rock Band. We all played random things after and made pizza for dinner. 

Emery went through her Squishmellows and has a lot more than she even thought. 

After dinner Brad and I took the presents down, then most of us played games for a bit. 

Annual family picture. 

After a bit Brad and I set up gifts and went to sleep until they wake us up at 6 am tomorrow. 

Pottery

 

Emery took pottery this past semester. It was not her favorite class and I think were all happy with her being done with it finally. The things she made turned out cute. I'm pretty sure I smashed all of mine the day the class ended. 

Gingerbread Houses

The other day the older boys were gone and Emery and Jacks wanted to decorate gingerbread houses. We got 2 of them and watched Elf while they did them. I don't enjoy doing them, but they had fun. 

It is tough to pick one that's better. Until next year. 

IB Graduation

It takes a bit for the people to grade all the papers and test from the kids who do the IB program then around this time each year they do a certificate ceremony. Not all the kids are able to come to this, but most were there. Cam took 4 test and got 3 fours and a five. Passing is a two. This and being at Renaissance got him 18 credits in college. 

With Cailey home from college they have been hanging out every day. They  have done a few art projects too. I think they look pretty good.

His is the bottom one.

Emery's Post

Since getting her license, Emery hangs out with friends all the time. Thankfully she does take pictures and she even smiles in these ones. 

She went to the Boise Tree Lighting with Jenna and ended up seeing another friend Maddy there as well. 

For YW they did a Grinch night. We went to one of the leaders mom's house and it was decked out with Grinch all over. She had a project for the girls to do and it turned out so cute. We played BINGO and got prized, had a door prize and a hole punch prize. She said she gets all she can at the end of each Christmas season and saves us. I know all the girls had fun. I am now with Emery in the 16 year old class. 

Her and Jenna went today to Build a Bear to make bears for Christmas. Have to love these .5 photos.

Emery wanted to make gifts for all her friends, perfect trifecta for her friends. Little candy, fuzzy socks and a little Squishmallow. She also crocheted flowers as well. 

Tree Time

I love December and the decoration that comes with it. I love that we still all get together to put up the tree and listen to Christmas music. I don't know what I will do when Cam's gone and I won't have him to get up on the shelf, but for now, he is out heights man. 

She really was happy to put the tree up, just not for pictures. 

We thought the kids would be over the 'elf' but they asked the first few days of December where it was at. So we brought the elf back. Not as big as we did when they were little, but a few things. You can kind of see the candy poking out of their socks. 

The best look there is!

Another day they all got a small Lego car and we built it while we watched a movie. Just the time together is what I look forward to. 

Good Girls Hero's Quest

 Camden has really taken off and been cooking at least one meal a week recently. He wanted to try a Brazilian night and did a really good job with it. With it being Thanksgiving week, Cailey is home from college too. When we had pizza at their house before, Matt, her dad, mention a game Hero's Quest. We love and play that game a lot but not many people have heard of it. So Cam set up a time to Matt to come and play that with them, while Cailey and I watched "A Good Girls Guide to Murder" on Netflix. We both read and loved the book.  I really do love how Camden will just take over and cook a meal. A little side note.... Brad spoke in church about service but he talked about how we should be able to accept service, not just give. He gave a 'fake' story about a mom who would accept help from a child for a while, but eventually just decided to do it alone because it was easier. That mom was me. Cam would ask every day if he could help. While I did 'have it', he wanted to help and I should have let him. But me being me, I just did it alone. He eventually stopped asking, as anyone would, and one day it hit me that I did wrong and drove him away. He is now back in full force ( he does let me help him) and making amazing food. 

Back to Monday, the food was good. He did cheese bread, Bacon wrapped steak, grilled pineapple, yellow rice, Brazilian lemonade and a dessert. The boys played 3 quests and Cailey and I watched 3 episodes of our show. Both were good. We have a few more to watch, and they have a lot more quests to do as well. 

New Ride

This week we did something amazing and weird, we bought a car fully online... that we never drove or saw. It wasn't the first time we've done this. The house were in now, the first time we saw it in person was the day we signed the papers. However Paul did do a walk through it for us. 

With Cam taking the small car to college, we were needing another car here for us. Emery is gone all day at school. Beck has work and I go in a few times a year for a few weeks to train. We wanted to avoid salesmen so Brad started to look online. We decided on Carvana and it was so easy. Only downside was the cars went quick, we'd find one we liked and were waiting for a certain day before we bought it. Every one we really liked, we'd go back in and it was on hold or taken. We ordered it Wednesday and it was delivered to our door front door Friday. They even take care of all the registration. Easiest car purchase ever.  We love the car so far. It's a Nissan Rogue and so far so good. We have 7 days to try it out then the purchase is final. Now we keep it from the kids so they don't dent and scratch it up. 

Forest Blakk

 

It's been about a week, but recently Cam, Cailey and I went to Utah to see Forest Blakk. I love pretty much any song of his I hear and I was super excited to see he was coming semi close. It was about 12 hours in a car, there and back, but totally worth it. The venue was super small and got really hot, but he was so good live. 

Halloween

 

We have  started the holiday season, kicking it off with Halloween. Jackson is really the only one who still goes out. He goes out with his friend Luke and the just do the neighborhood. Not sure if he'll go next year though. We did run out of candy this year, which is kind of new. 

Emery's Weekend

Emery had an exiting weekend. For the past 3 years, her and her friend, Jenna, have gone to Haunted World. I'm not sure if the first year Emery was super into horror and scared, but she has since come to love it. They watch scary movies together all the time too. She actually took a few pictures that weren't just in .5. 

The on Saturday we went to a different friends house and hung out for a Halloween Party. She went as a divorced 40 year old dad. She has a good group of friends that she loves to hang out with. It's fun to see her happy with the Boise move. I know it's been a few years, but it took a while to get used to it all.