Papa and Nana visit for the Holidays

Yea! Nana and Papa came to visit for Christmas! First up is a visit to Arkansas Wine Country.

We visited four wineries and this was the first time that Sahara got to taste test!

We had a nice lunch at the Weiderkehr Wine Cellar Restaurant.

Cutie pups by the tree.

Sahara nominated me for a free cake from a local place called The Cake Place. I was one of the runners-up and won a Christmas cake! Thank you Sahara!

Christmas morning! We had to wait for Jared and Sahara to come over to open presents.

After presents we had cinnamon rolls and fruit and then we went on a walk with the dogs. After a little while we started our Christmas dinner. We had ham, smashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, pickles and olives, cranberry relish, rolls, green beans, pie and cake. Yummy!

Today we went to Little Rock to the Clinton Presidential Library.

These eggs were funny. Sahara snapchatted them and put the filters on them so they were even sillier with antlers and elf hats.

I tried to get us all coming down the escalator together. It really didn't work out though.

Outside the library is a walking bridge. It used to be an old railroad bridge but now it's just for people. We had to hurry up so that we could see the barge going underneath.

It was very windy but unseasonably warm today.

About a mile away we visited the Old State House Museum.

Lots of construction going on out there. They tore down an old bridge that was 94 years old I believe. And they're building a new one.

Nana signing the guestbook. She should have put in the comments section that when she walked into one of the rooms she still smelled the cigar smoke from one of the old congressman who must have traveled through there before. She told the guy at the front desk. He said, "no no don't tell me things like that. I have to come back here!"

The next day we went to Hot Springs to the Mid-America Science Museum.

Canyon loves to play and jump around in the big net like it's a trampoline. It's kind of scary.

Sahara was dragged to the center unwillingly.

We created some pretty creepy versions of ourselves by adding other people's eyes, noses, mouth etcetera.

Beautiful sunset on the way home! We played lots of games of hand and foot, sticks, golf, boulderdash, and battle of the sexes. We also went on a walk with the dogs to the Bona Dea walking trails. Sort of celebrated Misty's birthday early. Went to the movies. And most importantly, drank a lot of wine! 😄 Thank you all for the gifts and calls! Have a Happy New Year!!

Cookie Time

Classroom Christmas Door

We didn't place at all this year. But I think our door looks pretty darn cute.

The kids made their own cookies and colored and cut out 8 dozen little cookies. They also helped with the fireplace rocks, flowers, decorating and gluing.

I made Mrs Claus.

I also globbed hot glue from the hot glue gun on my hand. This is exactly why I do the gluing and not the kids.

2nd annual Christmas Boat Float

It was super cold out, but this year they had free hot chocolate stations and a concert to go along with the show. Saharas friends Lisa and Johnathan met us there.

There were several more boats than last year. We got to see some of them close up.

Sipping hot chocolate. We had come from doing other things so we didn't have time to get scarves and hats.

One of the boats docked right in front of us. It was the Grinch!

December Art Walk

Art Walk was about the same as usual. We have been hitting a lot of local craft fair type things in the last month. Going to another tomorrow. Canyon stopped into the train depot to say hi to Santa as usual. We took Sahara' s neighbors with us this time because they had never been.

And so it begins.....Christmas time!

Took hours but I got it put up. Sahara and Jared came over to help. Then they were off to a late Thanksgiving dinner.

Jared helped Canyon with his tree.

New lights for outside this year.

Sahara and Jared put their Christmas up before Thanksgiving. Jared is off for deployment training on Monday. As far as we know, he will be back for Christmas before actual deployment.

Family pictures

Bowling

Last time Canyon gets to do Special Olympics bowling with the Apaches! He and Lucas bowled doubles. They got Silver. Brittany bowled single and she got Gold. I'm pretty sure that means she gets to go to State. We will find out Monday.

Let the games begin....

Too bad there wasn't a lesser evil this time around :l

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4 days of Halloween

Friday night, we crashed the Bost party.  Well, we were told it was for the Russellville Bost people too, but all we saw were the adult Bost workers of Dardanelle.  Oh well, we brought a dish so it wasn't like we showed up empty handed.  Lots of good food and dancing in the decorated dark gym.

Saturday was the Annual Fall Fest for the town.  This year, it was HUGE!  I even got a couple of girl cousins Christmas gifts there! (wink wink)
Canyon loves the car show.  We watched the pet costume parade and may enter next year.  Only problem is I think it's for kids to enter their pets and we are kidless.



After a nap, we got ready for Aunt Lorie's annual Halloween party.

The whole gang dresses up.
There was a photo booth in a shed.  Someone got behind us and scared us as the picture took.  I thought this might freak out Canyon....nope!  He scared back!

The kids played some games like bobbing for apples, treasure hunt, and putting the body together.  The other kids (cousins) were so good with Canyon to include him and make him part of the guys, on the guys team  They are 7 to 15 years old.

Sunday we carved our pumpkins.

Monday, the flu struck mom, so she was out.  Sahara, Jared, and Carlee took Canyon trick or treating in their neighborhood.  He brought back a huge bucket of candy.

Till next year....

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