snowshoe

We took a trip to Snowshoe with friends for a fun after Christmas getaway.  

We went up on Sunday and met up with our friends for dinner on Sunday night.  The next two nights we took turns cooking dinner for everyone.   

Jason took the boys last year for the first time and we were excited to all go this year. 
This year vs. last year. 

Bryce snowboarded both days we were there and Jason skied one day.  

Emmy didn't like skiing the last time she went.  She was up in the air about doing it this year.  I was hesitant since she's getting ready to go to California to compete.  We decided we'll get her lessons at Wintergreen so she'll be ready if we go back to Snowshoe next year.  

She and I ice skated the first day while everyone skied.  

I enjoyed getting to relax a little.  I read and we did two puzzles.  The condo we stayed in was decorated for Christmas and was so cute and cozy. 

The boys night skied both nights. 

I don't know who thought outdoor hot tubs at a ski resort was a good idea, but it didn't stop them even though it was less than 10 degrees outside. 

We enjoyed walking around the village and taking in the sights. 

Never too cold for ice cream. 

Bryce enjoyed the trip and was excited to break in his new snowboard he got for Christmas.  

all things christmas

Jason worked at the bakery on Christmas Adam, Bryce and friends went to dinner and looked at Christmas lights so Emmy and I took pizza over to Nana's and decorated a gingerbread house.  

When we left Nana's, we went to Chick Fil A for peppermint milkshakes since we hadn't had one this season.

We went to Nana's for Christmas Eve.  The weather was nice, so we went on a golf cart ride before our Chinese lunch and presents.  

Christmas Eve service at church. 

Bryce went to Avery's for Christmas Eve evening and then we came over to visit.  

Christmas morning.  

Everyone was happy.

Callie's first Christmas. 

We went to Kelly's for breakfast. 

We went to Nana's for lunch. 

It was a full day. 

 

not a lot to report

This week flew by with little to show for it.  Emmy had exams this week.  She got out early every day and then hung out with friends and family while we worked.  I was able to wrap up most of the Christmas shopping while she was out and about.  Her friends went to Top Golf and shopping on Thursday to celebrate the end of exams.  

Jason and his buddy were twinning at church today.  

 

a busy fun and festive week

The second round of snow was more significant than the first.  The kids knew on Sunday night that we'd be out of school on Monday.  It was a nice treat after getting home late from Florida.  My neighbor dropped something off while we were out Monday night and snapped this picture of our house.  It's so pretty at Christmas in the snow.  

We ended up getting another snow day on Tuesday.

Pap would have been 80 on Tuesday.  We celebrate him each year with ribs for dinner.  We even got the gang from Pap's 70th birthday together for the big day. 

I give my mom an ornament with something that reminds me of Pap.  This year I went with 80 for his birthday.  

This was also the 10th birthday we celebrated without him. 

Emmy went back to school on Wednesday and Bryce managed one more snow day.  We all met up Wednesday night for our annual Santa picture.

There were talks of this being our last Santa picture since Chase is a senior.  Emmy said they had to take Santa pictures until she's a senior.  Bryce told her he'd go with her.  We'll see how it pans out over the next few years. 

Smaller crowd this year.  MeMa and Nana and Paul were busy and Dave was still working.  

I capture pictures of this cutie whenever I can.  She was spayed this week.  We're supposed to be keeping her calm, but that's pretty difficult with a puppy.  

Emmy had her disco themed gym Christmas party on Friday night.  A few friends from her team did a secret Santa gift exchange at Starbucks before the party.  

Jason and I had our neighbor Christmas party on Friday night too.  I love making this veggie wreath.  

The Beljacklocks have morphed over the years, but it's a fun group.  

The youth had a Christmas play at church tonight.  Emmy was the main star.  She was basically the babysitter of the little stars, ha!

Bryce and Chase were the camel again this year. 

a snow day and a beach day

We kicked off December and advent with fun advent calendars.

A friend told Bryce that he was in the newspaper following the state championship volleyball game.  I was excited to get my hands on it and proud of him for being recognized. 

Not a bad way to be described as an athlete.  

Bryce and his buddies made jerseys to cheer on their friend at basketball games this season.

Bryce and Avery at the National Honor Society induction ceremony this week. 

Bryce was inducted into the Beta Club and the National Honor Society. 

We had a snow day on Friday.  

Then we hopped on a plane on Friday night and headed to Florida for the weekend.  

We went to Cocoa Beach for the day on Saturday and the weather could not have been more perfect.  

Two of Emmy's teammates joined us at the beach.  Others from the team went to Disney World or did other things, but we're beach people!

Putt-Putt is a must at the beach.

We had the best time!

Bryce even had a good time!

It didn't feel like Christmas in Florida, but there were small glimpses of it.  

She's a nut!

Sunday was meet day. 

Emmy got 1st on bars and 3rd on beam. 

She placed 3rd all around.  

We missed the Mechanicsville Christmas Parade for the first time in fifteen years of living in this house.  It was bittersweet to have our friends here and not be here, but we made sure to catch Santa on the firetruck (on our doorbell camera) at the end of the parade.  To top off our weekend, another round of snow came in, and we get another snow day!