A Christmas Of Memories {The Activities} #makingmemories

While the panic of only having 18 Summers {if I’m lucky} continues to loom, I’m determined to make the most of EVERY opportunity to make memories as a family. And with friends.

Christmas was no different.

As a way to ensure this, I made an executive decision to do NOTHING EXTRA during the month of December. Aside from work and the other basic family/parenting duties, I focused on a few things – my 3 major Christmas projects {with a few little ones in there}, spending time as a family, and spending time with friends.

AND WE HAD THE BEST DECEMBER EVER!

We made foam houses:

We saw Santa:

We got a real Christmas Tree {thanks to some great friends who cut it down for us}:

And {of course} decorated it with our *more is more* philosophy:

We decorated a gingerbread house and train:

We went to look at lights with friends:

And enjoyed a warm Tim Horton’s treat afterwards {there were 6 adults and 7 kids}:

We took toys to kids at the hospital:

We went skating:

{And smiled even when we fell}:

We took self portraits:

We spent time with Brent’s dad’s side of the family. Sadly, I didn’t take any photos {doh},but it was awesome. And, as always, we committed to getting together more often. Highlight? Brent’s cousin in labour the whole night and having her baby girl early the next morning {24th}.

We got to have a fire in the wood burning stove – a favorite of mine at my mother in law’s:

We read the Christmas story from the Bible:

And the kids enjoyed a story with Grandma:

We had whipped cream with a little bit of hot chocolate:

We went ice fishing with great friends {though unsuccessful at catching anything – this time}:

The boys played ALL day!:

And laughed the entire time:

We took another self portrait – this time Brent and I. One of us takes it more seriously than the other:

Brooklyn *wimped* out and spent most of the time in the vehicle.

We made milkshakes {Brent’s are the best!}:

And we ended the year celebrating Brent’s birthday {New Year’s Day baby} – for the first time in our 10 year marriage I actually got him a cake. I always planned to but never did, until this year.

Behold the DQ Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard Cake:

It was an amazing – AH-MAZING – December. And taking time for US was the very best decision I ever made.
We spent our time making memories – and did we ever.

Onto the memories of 2013!