Winter Is Here

Ryker has developed into quite the impressive chef. He's so good, that when DeA needs something she can just ask Ryker to make it, like this last week when she needed no-bake chookies. Ryker was more than happy to accept the assignment.

Perfect little peanut buttery chocolate scoops.

Luca is getting squishy.

Leo has spent a few days at the office, he still loves to lay right in the middle of the hallway where people have to stop and pet him.

I had to load up Doug's 4-wheeler to take to Malaga in case Nick was able to get one of the elk off of Alcoa land. Violet and Poppy were happy to help.

It was quite the adventurous day, I was blocked by sheep below the tunnel.

The elk wouldn't leave Alcoa land, but we did find some monster bulls up on DNR property. Too bad he doesn't have a big bull tag.

DeA was on a little bit of a warpath getting the house ready for her aunt Valerie's visit. I helped her burn boxes when I got back from Malaga.

Leo puppy "helped" too.

Javi blessed Luca on Sunday, it was a great experience and his parents were there as well.

DeA's little warpath also included mini graham cracker stables that the kids decorated like ginger bread houses.

There is little baby Jesus in swaddling clothes and Mary laying down to rest because I couldn't get her to sit up right.

Leo Baby went hard with the chocolate chips as animal dung, to make it seem more realistic.

I guess he decided that we all needed haircuts.

DeA needed a profile pic for her season pass at Echo. She decided to create a variety of head shots for her upcoming modeling career

 

Winter

The weekend after Thanksgiving was filled with kids, extra kids, and Santa flying in by helicopter. Even though Dad sold Whirly, he still gets to bring Santa into town. We stopped and took some serious family pictures.

Baby Luca made his first appearance at church. He was a pretty popular little guy.

Mom ordered a giant Rudolph. It fills up the deck.

I was burning some boxes and I turned around to see a shoeless Leo Baby coming to help me.

Nick came over to try and find a cow elk that was not on Alcoa land. We found the elk, but they seemed to know exactly where they could and could not be shot.

Our luck of only seeing animals that we were not allowed to hunt continued, with the new development of seeing legal animals on private property. 

we got home in time to see Leo Baby enjoying his new red gloves.

DeA tried to replace me while I was gone.

We hosted family dinner and were pleased with Chayo's visit. She loved Luca.

I got to run the clock at Ryker's game. He played well. He is desperately trying to get a hat trick so that he can win a Nintendo game. 

Chubby cheek Luca is the best Luca

Rock had an outdoor tournament in Winthrop. He also had a snowboarding training at Mission Ridge wedged in there, but we aren't talking about that right now. He played great, scored two goals in three games and was very aggressive in front of the net against bigger guys.

The outdoor  games are fun, but cold. 

"I'll build you a rainbow, way up high above...sprinkle down sunshine, rain drops of love"

 

Thanksgiving!!

Turkey Bowl pre-game photo. I had to pull Rock aside and tell him that he wasn't taking this game as serious as he should. Jeans and tennis shoes? To the Turkey Bowl? What is this, JV football?

We had a big cheering section this year.

Brother Thompson brought hot cocoa and donuts.

Ryker was super excited that I spatchcocked the turkey. Yes, it is a real thing.

We were full on adults this year, we hosted and did the turkey and potates.

It was a fun day.

And a relaxing day. Now, the next two days with extra kids around is another story...

Football, family, naps, and food is all that you need for a great Thanksgiving.

Leo Boy loves the massage gun that I bought, and wanted to try it on everyone.