We were planning on getting out of Wellington after Christmas, but Cary Shane got tested for COVID and was positive. Our family had cold sympotoms, but were feeling fine. We ended up staying here rather than risk getting anyone sick. Kenney got tested because he could have used COVID pay rather than vaction time. He was negative so he had to use his vacation hours just to stay home with us. Bummer! Technically, we were suppposed to quarantine, so we just gathered with family here. The Payne family came into town which was great entertainment for us. We spent a lot of time with family in Childress and enjoyed our change of plans as much as possible, even though Kenney and I really wanted/needed to get away!
These boys always have so much fun together!
Ringing in the new year with cheers!
These three are quite the trio!
We brought all the Payne kids to our house one night and the kids LOVED it! Our van was a little full, oops!
There was a lot of game playing!
The girls got some new dresses from Grandma for Christmas. They love twirling together. Mackenzie is obsessed with anything Frozen so she loves her new Elsa dress.
Christmas was great this year. We spent the entire day at home and didn't have to leave. The kids woke up around 7 which wasn't too early thankfully. Everyone seemed really pleased with their gifts and played all day! We had our 'fancy' dinner once again this year. The Barlow family also joined us which was fun. They played the saran wrap game with us too. We finished the night with a final Christmas movie.
She was a little overwhelmed when we were all ready to open presents, so she kinda shut down for a minute, haha!
He was so excited to get The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings books.
The best picture I got of the 5. Bentley already had a costume change and one boy lost their shirt, go figure.
There wasn't enough room at the big table for everyone so the girls got their own special arrangement.
All ready for their 'fancy' dinner.
The boys were impressed with my napkin folding, haha!
Christmas Eve, much like everything else this year, was very different than usual. It started off pretty normal with me baking and cooking to get ready for Christmas Day. I had just gotten a root canal done two days before so I wasn't feel super great, and a couple of us had a cold. Kenney was at work and was able to get off a couple hours early. The kids wrapped the presents they got for one another and couldn't wait to open them!
The family didn't want a big gathering at Nanny & Papa's house with all the Key's crew, so we did a drive by wave hello to wish them a Merry Christmas from the car. We then went with the Mark Keys family to a few home to sing some Christmas carols. After all that we gathered at Nana & Papa's house to have pizza and decorate cookies for Santa. We then had a surprise visit from the man himself! The kids all got to sit on his lap and got a bag of goodies!
We drove through the park to look at the lights and then went home. After getting home, the boys spent over an hour trying to set up a trap to catch Santa. It was hard to watch!! Kenney mentioned several times about how they didn't understand physics and nothing was going to work, but we didn't say anything to the boys. They ended up tying string all over the living room that led all the way down the hall into their room which would pull a car door open on one of their toys that makes a really loud noise to wake them up, allowing them the run into the living room to see Santa. Lets just say it didn't work and Santa left a note telling them to try harder next year!!
She had to have her hair curled for the occasion.
Thanks for the Christmas jammies and pizza!!
This might be my favorite part of Christmas. I love how excited the kids get about the presents they pick for one another. They really do put thought into what they buy one another, and they take pride in what presents they receive. It's great to watch.
Mackenzie had very bittersweet feelings about Santa. She loved that she could say his name and could point him out, but she was terrified once she saw him in person! It was funny her named ended up being the first called. She didn't want to sit with him, but she did tell him thank you!
She was so excited to see Santa, and very proud of herself for telling him thank you!
Kyler and the big man!
Will Damon be asking for a jersey every year until he gets a real one for playing in the NFL?
Radley wanted a hoverboard so bad.
Bentley waited and waited and waited for her name to be called. I love the deep breath she takes, haha!
Kerry invited us to join them and make gingerbread hosues. The kids loved it, and it was more fun this year than it ever has been for me. The kids were all pretty independent and enjyed doing it without too much help. It was fun to see what they created. Of course they reallyed enjoyed eating their houses once they were all done!
Blank canvas ready to create
Radley and Asher ready to go!
Intense concentration
He was taking this very seriously.
Look I was there too!
So was this monster. Dad was supposed to be distracting her, but he fell asleep on the floor so she found us!
Damon's masterpiece
I did the thatched roof and the stepping stones on this one.
Kyler did awesome!
Very neat!
Bentley did this almost 100% by herself!
Lots and Lots of houses!
We brought them home and Damon was this desperate to eat all of his!
Gross!
Kyler cracks me up at the beginning of this video with the headphones, the dancing, and the Rubik's cube!!
Didn't take them long to try and devour their entire house!
