The Box Game

I wanted to take pictures of the girls, but I needed them to stay in one place. So I created the box game. I bought a bunch of boxes and a few small token gifts and candy. I put a gift for each in one box, then handed them the whole pile. They had to find which box the gift was in. It kept them amused for more than long enough to get pictures.

Two Christmases

Since we were going to Adam's for Christmas, we celebrated our own Christmas here at home on the 22nd. It didn't feel like Christmas, and we didn't have any decorations up. 

I put a wreath I made on the door and we set the gifts on a table near it. That was it. But the kids were good with it. It has been hard on them too coming home to huge debris piles all down our street since it's a small street and the city didn't bother to clear the debris like they did on the bigger streets. The condition of the house has been discouraging too. But Christmas is about hope, and we all need hope.

Although Kaleb knew the plan was to get everything done we needed to so we could celebrate, he decided to make life miserable for Rick. That's his usual Saturday behavior. Ty and I have been traveling to a flea market 90 minutes away on Saturdays, and the others have been working on the house. Kaleb likes to do the opposite of everything he's told, then act innocent.

After coming home and hearing about his consistently poor behavior, I told him that he had to write what he should have done instead. He decided not to do it thinking he'd ruin our celebration by his stubbornness.  

Instead, I removed him until he decided he could do what he was told. Then he'd be allowed to join us. Any other day that would not have been an option. He would have given up the activity.

 I miss the years of having everyone here for Christmas, but times change and children grow up and go out on their own. Normally everyone who can joins us here on Christmas eve, but the condition of our house didn't allow for that this year. We didn't want the babies where there is black mold, and most of our shop contents is still in the house.

This Christmas will always be the Christmas with the cats/kittens.

 We all spent Christmas Eve and Christmas day at Adam's house 3 hours away.

 Front: Jasmine, 17 Middle: Kayla 13, Jessica 27, Kaleb, 13 Back: Adam 23, Hunter, 30, Tyler, 28

Everyone spent most of the day playing, hanging out and playing board games.

Christmas and Beyond

Christmas was very low key this year. We did more celebrating on Christmas Eve when the adult kids were here than we did on Christmas Day. We really spent more time playing games together than anything. Here are a few pictures of our time.

Tyler got some sort of game where you get arms and legs bitten off by a shark. It's simple and it goes fast.

I think Rummikub is our official family game. I got several used copies, but they are missing a few pieces, so when I shop for used games for my flea market shop, I keep my eye open for them. We have a complete set, and now Jessica has a complete set for her family. We also played Apples to Apples freestyle a lot. Now that they've played freestyle, they don't want to play the traditional game anymore.

River helped make the birthday cake for Jesus.

Then River had her second birthday December 30th.

 I got her a sleeping bag because they like to go camping.

 Also got her crayons, markers and a coloring book because she's starting "writing" on my papers.

It was a pretty good holiday season, but we are dealing with some issues that I'll share more about once we know what is going to happen.

One of the best things we did was a photo shoot with the girls. I'll share those photos next time. 

In the meantime, please share your family's favorite board game.

Forgot to Post the Pictures

The first Saturday in January we had breakfast with Santa. I didn't get that great of pictures because my Nikon was in the shop. But Santa's helpers took photos. I didn't get them for a while, but then I forgot to post them. So here they are late!

Christmas Day

Those of us at home. Kayla is really that much taller than the others.

Jasmine liked her new jacket.

And her books from Uncle Ken.

The new DS was no surprise to Tyler since he picked it out.

Adam, Tara, Kealen and Sierra came over for  lunch.

Yes, we did all play Disney Uno.

The kids made a birthday cake for Jesus, and Kealen blew out the candles.

A week or so ago Jessica took River to see Santa. It looks like she had a lot to say to him!

The kids got tools for Christmas, and we put them to work right away on three projects that we need to finish before our home study begins. But that is a post in itself.