December

No real surprise-December swooped in like a roller coaster after ticking up the first hill.

We wrapped up the rest of our shopping, and the boys enjoyed all kinds of extras in the final week of school before Christmas break-an outdoor Christmas concert that Keenan was involved in,

secret Santa's with both boys grades, a few tests, outdoor ice skating one evening, Ugly Christmas Sweater day,

and Christmas wear on Friday.

Whew.

My birthday was the final day of school for the boys and we enjoyed a delicious meal out, then got up the next morning and packed our crew up for a long weekend at one of our favorite places (dogs included).

The Outerbanks.

This year we splurged and rented a house with an elevator to accommodate Flopsy's back.  It was worth every penny.

It was unseasonably warm when we rolled in Saturday evening, then a front came through during the night and Sunday was spent mostly indoor avoiding the pouring rain and wind.  We were fine with that-had books, puzzles, and plenty of snacks to sit back and relax.

Even in the chilly weather, the pups enjoyed taking strolls around the house and smelling all the ocean smells.

We all enjoyed brisk walks up and down the beach.

And one child enjoyed a surf side run.

It was a lovely few days away with my favorite people and pups but we wanted to be home for Christmas, so we packed it all up on the 23rd and headed back.

Christmas Eve Day was spent mostly in the kitchen (me), helping in the kitchen (everyone else), and last minute wrapping and shopping (Kevin).

We headed to church in the afternoon, then enjoyed looking at some of our favorite Christmas light displays on our way home.

Christmas Day was nice and relaxed.

It was a literary Christmas for us all, but Kieran won the contest for tallest stack.

New Years Day Keenan broke in one of his Christmas gifts and made us blueberry doughnuts.

And Monday, after a nice stretch of unseasonably warm weather winter blew back in with force.

As in woke me up at 4AM with crazy big wind gusts and knocked out power to lots, then dumped a couple inches of slushy snow where we had enjoyed 77 degree temp's the day before....

Thankfully it was a workday at school and Kevin had already planned on working from home that day.

Now here we are-trying to get back into the school routine, and facing exams next week.

And another busy season fast approaching for Kevin.