Christmas 2014

The weekend before Christmas we went to my parent's house to celebrate my mom's birthday. We celebrated her birthday with a trip to downtown OKC to watch the NCAA Women's National Volleyball Championship game. It was so much fun. After the game, we went out to dinner, followed by a trip up to the top of the Devon building to see the city and enjoy some drinks at Vast.

 The massive pinecones hanging from the Devon ceiling.

 The Myriad Gardens

 NCAA Volleyball Championship game

 Ice skating in downtown OKC.

 Love him.

 My mom and dad.

My brother and his wife.

Riding the elevator to the top.

We left the day before Christmas Eve and stayed through Friday afternoon at Aaron's parents house. 

 Aaron's family has a Christmas Eve tradition that involves cooking lots of yummy finger foods and snacking while watching Christmas movies and relaxing. Aaron LOVES this tradition and it's so cute to see how excited he gets about it....it's almost like he reverts back to his 5 year old self. 

 They hate it when I bring out the camera.

 Their pretty Christmas tree.

 Samson even got in on the Christmas spirit.

 Aaron's brother, Stephen is a Christmas Eve baby. Opening up his birthday presents.

 Santa Samson

 Aaron's brother, Brian took us out on his nice new boat for a little crappie fishing. Never thought I'd be out on the lake on December 25th, but it actually wasn't too cold. 

 Catchin' some crappie.

 Precious little pee-wee.

  Pee-Wee and Sherry in their Christmas sweaters.

Friday afternoon we headed to my parents house to celebrate the rest of the weekend with my family.

My family. 

 Eating and visiting with the out of towners.

 My brother reading us the Christmas story before we open up presents.

We were short three stocking for our guests of honor so my mom used socks.

The grandpups waiting on their stockings.

 Opening up our presents....he got a new fishing tackle box.

 So excited about this Hair and Make-up by Steph updo tutorial book.

Aaron's new Carhart hat.

 

 Ashley got new jewelry.

 Trevor got a grill blower for his new smoker.

 Mom opening her perfume.

 We woke up Saturday morning to snow on the ground. The pups were loving it.

 A cozy, snowy morning by the Christmas tree.

 Saturday, the rest of my mom's family showed up for our Christmas celebration.

 We went outside and played in the snow.

 My uncle brought a kite for us to fly in the snow. The dogs were barking and going nuts over the kite...it was hilarious.

My cousin and I made these miniature snowmen on the hood of my aunt's car. Aren't they cute?

 We played lots of fun games and yes, the face coasters made yet another appearance. Promise it's the last time. We used the coasters to notate who was out of the game. It made the game quite comical.

My mom and her siblings with their dad and step-mom. We missed you Hope!

The whole group. We are missing a few....and they were greatly missed from our celebration.

I hope you had a wonderful, safe Christmas!

My Grandpa's Letters- Volume 1

Meet my grandpa Marvin (my mother's father). He will be 90 years young this year. He can still play 18 holes of golf, while walking (and yes he refuses to ride in the cart with you). He doesn't believe in using a cell phone or telling anyone where he is, or where he is going. He still drives and has been known to take long road trips at a moments notice. He chews every bite of food he puts in his mouth 21 times, including ice cream (you think I'm joking, but I've counted numerous times). In the last five years of his life, he has taken a class to learn how to write children's books and he has taken flight lessons. He marches to the beat of a different drummer and is the most unique man I've ever met. I couldn't imagine him being any other way. He keeps us on our toes and makes our life quite comical at times. He is a clever little fella.

Since August, he has started writing birthday poems to each member of my family. They are great. I look forward to each family member's birthday so I can read his latest poem. Some of them make sense, some of them don't. I thought it might be fun to share some of them with you. For his 90th birthday, each member of the family is going to write him a birthday poem and we are going to combine them into a book for him.

 "There once was a fellow named Aaron, who appeared unto Quincee so darin', she gave up her home, never to roam and married him 'cause he's so carin'." -this is the letter he wrote to my husband, Aaron.

"There once lived a lady named Miako, who dextrously did the hand talko: She said to her Jason, "Please bring me a basin, my hands need a rest- maybe walko."  FYI- Miako is an interpreter, hence the hand talko part.

There once was a lady named Kas, who said one day to her boss, "I'm tired of this work- it makes me a quirk; Also, I'd like to go ride my hoss."

 There once was a fellow named Skip, who went to the ocean for a dip; he quickly said, "Salty!" but not wanting to be faulty, he decided to zip up his lip.

 There once was a lady named Marcy, whose kids June and Isable were varcy*1, her husband Chris, gave her a kiss, and made her be exceptionally blarcy *2.

 Then he wrote this on the bottom of Marcy's. *1- A new word meaning "rhymes with Marcy".
 *2- A new word meaning "rhymes with Marcy."
-Note: this one is my favorite so far!

 There once was a fellow named Bryan, got so hot in the sun he was fryin', he called for umbrella, delivered by Della and ended up smilin' and sighin' AAH!

 There once was a lady named Sandy, who with little kids sure was handy; she taught very well--all parents could tell, and she did it without any candy.

 There once was a lady named Jan, who laid in the sun for a tan; The sund beated down, and made her turn brown-- so now, she expects to be banned!

Note- He also includes a dollar bill with every letter and he writes the same thing on each one.

There once was a lady named Brenda, who had for herself an agenda; First, run for five miles, then, sit down to breakfast; Your feet will feel very tenda.