If you think November was busy--- wait until December!
I love the before school pictures that Brandi captures of the kiddos!
Josh went back to the doctor and got a cast put on his foot instead of the splint. It helped a ton with movement. But geez- it looked rough!
And being the great Daddy he is- he got green because he knew the girls would love it!
And he was right- they did!
Maylee and Chuck came over that night and I found Macie and Maylee making "get well" cards for their Daddies! Sweet girls!
Nothing beats a Friday night in your footed jommies watching a movie and eating popcorn.
Jamie and I took the girls to Christmas on the Square on Dec. 2. It's hard to get in the Christmas spirit in SHORTS!
Brenna and Macie BOTH made the UIL team this year! They were so excited to travel to Eastland for the day!
Macie gave it her all, but didn't place this year. She'll get 'em next year! Brenna once again came away with 3rd place!
Josh went back to the dr to have the cast changed. Seeing his foot in person made me almost cry! OUCH!
He opted for a more low key cast color this time around. I tried to persuade him to get red, or red and green for Christmas....but he's no fun!
Brandi and I took the kiddos to Breakfast with Santa sponsored by Casa at Central Christian Church. Brenna, Macie and I have been doing this for about 4 years and we love it!
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| I sure do love these 4 girlies!! |
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| Letters to Santa |
We took this photo before we left the house. Nothing beats a picture in front of the Christmas Tree!
We went to the Riley's to hang out one evening (and get Josh out of the house for a little while).
I think he just needed a little Schaef time. :) But we all needed a little Riley time!!
I could go on and on about how much I love these people...
And I am pretty sure our kids like each other too!!
Poor Macie. Carter and Brenna both think she is their little sister! However- she was a willing participant in all of these pictures!
We got Pops a new shirt for his birthday. hahaha!
Brenna had her annual Christmas musical. Once again she got to sing a solo and nailed it!
Macie had her play this year at the school. She was Rudolph!
The following series of pictures may be in the top 10 funniest things I have ever witnessed!
I came home from school and as usual Brenna was sitting outside watching TV and eating her afternoon snack. I looked out the door and noticed that the cat had a DEAD mouse... playing with it and eating it!! But do you see that sweet and innocent 10 year old enjoying her snack??
She had NO clue what was going on 3 feet away from her! So Josh and I laughed for a minute, and then cracked the door to tell her to look at what the cat was playing with (because we are the poster people for good parenting!) And the freak out session that ensued was PRICELESS!
So what do the most amazing parents ever do??? They take pictures of course! oh- and LAUGH!
After the tears started flowing, we finally went outside and rescued her.
Disclaimer.... No children were permanently emotionally scared in the making of these pictures.... She quit crying and eventually forgave us for laughing at her. The mouse, however... well, may he rest in peace.
Josh had the grand idea to get cups for the girls for an idea he had seen. It was a hit! They loved stacking them and knocking them down.
The girls did some Christmas baking.
We went to Fort Worth to look at some Christmas lights and stopped by to see Nana and Papa!
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| She's almost as tall as her Nana! |
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| Nana Selfies!! |
Macie was a trooper-- but didn't quite make it home! ha!
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| Christmas light looking is hard work! |
We found a new icing recipe for our Christmas cookies that I wanted to try. I usually HATE decorating Christmas cookies, but this year it was really fun!! The icing recipe worked really well. Even Daddy joined us to do some decorating!
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| Only Josh would turn the ginger bread girl into a bikini wearin' mama! haha! |
On Dec. 23, the Baldwin's had their annual get together. I forever will be thankful for the friendship we have with the Riley's, Baldwin's, and Middleton's!
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| There is no telling what Schaef Riley said to make them all look at HIM! |
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| I love this chick right here! |
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| I love these two! |
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| The girls! Minus Jamie, plus Schaef |
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| When you aren't at a friends gathering, you get photo shopped in! Why is it always Jamie getting this done?? |
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| The gang! |
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| You can always count on Schaef to be there for you! |
Christmas Eve we gathered at Mike and Becky's for our annual Jackson Christmas.
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| Checking out Santa's location on the Santa tracker ap! |
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| My 2 favorite guys! |
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| Sweet girls ready to open presents. |
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| Yea for everything JoJo! |
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| JoJo headphones!! |
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| My loves! |
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| Uncle Joey is rocking those JoJo headphones with that bow! |
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| My Daddy- my hero. |
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| While shopping together one day, Memaw said "I need to find something fancy to wear to a party", and this was Brenna's response! LOVE!! |
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| Look at all those lurkers while Papa puts out his knives. |
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| Getting between these guys and their knives is a death wish! |
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| Memaw and Mini Memaw |
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| Three of the greatest men I've ever known. |
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| Memaw and her crew |
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| Nana, Papa and the original 2 |
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| Cutest Santa bottom I ever did see!!! |
After all the Jackson fun, we headed home to get ready for SANTA!!!!
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| I'm still amazed that God chose ME to be their Mommy! |
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| "Any sign of him yet??" |
After the cookies and milk were set out and the reindeer food spread in the yard, we settled in to listen to MeMawMom and Graddy read us Twas the Night Before Christmas from the book they recorded several years ago. And as I listened to my Mama's voice, I couldn't help but be filled with mixed emotions. Obviously sadness because I miss her, even more so at Christmas time. But I also felt joy. Joy because my girls had the best MeMawMom ever. Joy because we have the opportunity to hear her voice on a night as special as Christmas Eve. Joy because she left us with SO many wonderful memories.
Santa was good to the Pool girls!!
These two don't waste any time getting to their gifts!
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| I can't be sure....but I think they were excited!! |
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| A gymnastics mat and crutches....what a combo! |
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| A hoverboard made this girl's Christmas! |
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| Peppa Soap for the win! |
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| Santa sure knows how to make them smile! |
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| Oh Macie Claire.... only you would ask for crutches for Christmas! |
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| Virtual reality goggles kept everyone entertained. |
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| Once the Santa presents were played with, it was time to move on to opening presents. |
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| Daddy got a new coat! |
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| These girls love their Vera Bradley |
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| Cash is always a hit! |
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| Add caption |
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| Roll Tide! |
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| See- everyone was entertained by the virtual reality goggles! |
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| Billy Cakes and bacon....it's a Christmas morning tradition! |
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| I sure hope she doesn't end up needing those crutches!! |
Santa was good to Mommy too!!
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| Josh did good!! I didn't even ask for this, yet he knew I would love it! He was correct! |
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| A necklace with his helmet number! |
This might be my favorite Christmas picture!! One foot surgery requiring a scooter, one knee replacement requiring a walker, and one 7 year old that wanted crutches just for fun! hahaha! A family that hobbles together sticks together!
That evening we went over to Pops and Memaw's to celebrate with them. I love that my kiddos have cousins to celebrate holidays with.
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| Never a shortage of gifts, fun or laughter at Pops and Memaw's. |
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| Sweet WyMan |
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| Walker J |
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| A new lamp for her room! |
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| The look you get when she gets new panties for Christmas! |
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| A leather jacket for this stylin kiddo! |
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| Diapers for her baby dolls. |
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| Elf shoe wine holder |
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| There is no happier mess than the one left in the living room after Christmas. |
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| These people bless me more than they know! |
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| When you leave them unsupervised with "Mrs. Sara's chocolate cake"... |
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| The race was on to see who could eat the most the fastest. |
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| Uncle Josh and Booger |
It was a great evening!!!!
On December 29 I decided to make a quick, solo trip to El Reno. Mimi was down in her back, and it was killing me that I hadn't seen her in a while. I just needed to lay my eyes on her and hug her neck to make ME feel better. But I didn't want her going out of her way to prepare for me to be there. So I talked to Aunt Susan and decided to make a SURPRISE trip to Mimi's house! Not gonna lie- I was a total nervous wreck! I was hoping she wouldn't be mad at me for just showing up on her door step (even though I knew she wouldn't be.) So I got up early and made the trip north. When I got there, I just went up and rang the door bell. I definitely succeeded in the SURPRISE part! But it felt so good to hug her neck!
Of course I had to tell Taron that I had rolled into town! So I just sent her these pictures. haha!
And later that night.....
It was a fast trip, but totally worth it. I left the next morning after breakfast. A winter storm was threatening to roll in, so I had to beat it home.
This was the temp in my car as I was getting gas on my way out of El Reno.
And the wind chill made it even worse! Yuck!
I made it home late that afternoon. I wasn't gone long, but I missed my crazies!
On New Year's eve we went over to the Middleton's to hang out.
The kids enjoyed playing together and baking brownies.
And the adults enjoyed a few rounds of LRC.
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| I lost this money as fast as I won it! |
We opened an expensive bottle of champagne that someone gave Chuck...
And all agreed we like the cheap stuff better!
But beware.... expensive champagne might cause you to wear Frosty's hat!
or pretend to kiss your phone....
or kiss other people.... but we won't share those pictures.... hahaha!
2017 was a good year! I am blessed beyond belief and thankful for all life has given me and taught me. And I am the most thankful for these people!
