Holiday Duo

 Hello Everyone :)

These Holiday Duo months of November and December were a whirlwind.  We spent about 3 weeks in Kansas in a 5-week span.  Lots of miles on the road!  We were exhausted and ready to just 'be' at home once we got home from our second trip up to Kansas.  It was good and such a blessing seeing family and a few friends, though.  We missed seeing many of you, as free time wasn't as plentiful on these trips.  We did find another favorite coffee shop that will become a regular stop now to/from Kansas.  As a family, we were thankful to attend the wedding of a niece/cousin, help my parents, enjoy time with some of our family, and enjoy many sourdough baked goods made by a dear loved one and many other things.  Some of what the young guys enjoyed was cold weather-camping, hunting, bowling with cousins, game board nights, time with a couple of close friends, jerky making with grandpa, and wood cutting with the other grandpa. Some pictures to take you through the Holiday Duo months... 

In the next several pictures, the credits go to Kirk...I won't identify each one he or others in our crew have taken, as I can't keep track of who takes which one....and anymore I am not the only one snapping pictures ;)...views from close to our 'home sweet home'...

...we love our animals...

...mums in the backyard garden...

...such resilience...a form of armor and being able to grow in such a rocky place!...

...Mango...

...why yes, we are loving the dishwasher broken again, and Daddy decided it wasn't worth having the repair guy AGAIN...

...Mango thinks he needs in on the fun too...

...ah, this is one of a few apples that a dear friend gave me from her stash from Washington State...they were SO delicious and reminded me of the apples that we had in abundance in Kansas...Thank you, sweet friend...

...this young man right here cooks a mean pan-seared steak!!!  They are very full and rich in flavor!...

...on one of the 'making steaks' nights, Kirk did homemade french fries...needless to say, there weren't any leftovers ;D...

...Christmas cookies Kirk made from scratch for a baking contest for a baking club he is in...

...a fun gift for Kirk from a friend...

...heading to a local homeschool good old-fashioned barn dance...

...while the young guys were gone, this auntie showed up :)...

...we had so much fun with their surprise visit...

...We three ladies made a quick day trip to Fredericksburg on one of the days...

...KeKe with Jasper on a walk...

...one of the best meals we had while they were here...Katana sushi...thank-you for the treat out to eat...

...the girls are loving and enjoying some kayaking with a sweet friend...

...at this time of year, this spot is the most favored spot for early morning quiet devotion time...

...and maybe sometimes not as quiet as wanted, lol :)...

...Cross Classical Academy Poetry Chapel and History Fair...

...Janessa was Deborah, the Judge for the History Wax Museum...

...slow and precious moments...that slip oh too easily and quickly through our fingers...

...listening to an audiobook and carving spoons in front of the fire on a crisp evening...

...the Saturdays, we are home, and there isn't anything going on; you can find these four curled up eating breakfast while watching their favorite outdoor survivalist videos...The Outdoor Boys...it has become a special tradition that they all enjoy...

...these two sweeties playing 'survivalist' after watching an episode...they made their own 'tent' and are 'cooking' the 'food' they caught :D...

...Dodger being grumpy about KeKe holding his 'hand'...he is about ready to sink his teeth in her...

...the tent big brother helped make...it took up the whole living room area, lol :)...the best kind of play though!!!...

...and we are off to Kansas...

...ahem...she has found she LOVES riding four-wheelers!...she wasn't too bad of a driver either ;)...

...the brother of Mango...why yes, he is just a bit furrier :)...

...enjoyed some early morning reading from big brother...

...Taz, the evasive cat until, like that, he wasn't, LOL :)...

...hunting Kansas deer...

...good job, boys!!!...

...woohoo!...

...sadly we are missing our favorite stop for coffee drinks and smoothies in Sabetha since it closed down, so we settled for our next favorite place...and yes, the girls are thrilled that they have fries :)

...saying hello to Gma and visiting her in the hospital...

...Gpa went with us two ladies to take a Thanksgiving supper to Gma on Thanksgiving Day...

...yes, we schooled the second week in Kansas, which is definitely NOT my favorite, but it was the way it rolled out...finishing some school reading to Gma in the hospital...

...a glorious and crisp(frigid) Kansas sunset...

...the Rokey Thanksmas...

...KeKe slowly warming up to some Rokey side cousins...

...Gpa Rokey playing with a couple grandkids...

...KeKe enjoying books read by Gma Rokey...

...Gma Rokey making KeKe very happy...

...oh, the bunnies and the joy they bring to the youngsters ;)...

...Happy 42nd Birthday Jason!!!!!  We LOVE you more than you'll ever know!  Thankful we were still able to celebrate your birthday while in Kansas, and thanks to those who helped to make his birthday a bit extra special :)...

...Rokey grandkids with Rokey Grandparents...

...Jason's family...

...these two handsome cuties...

...enjoying some games with some of the Meyer side cousins...

...and more games...

...Tomahawk steaks...this guy did an amazing job on them!!!...

...our new coffee shop stops to/from Kansas now...too bad this barista fellow won't be working there for future stops... it's such a great coffee shop; we will be stopping on future trips, though :)...

...Rambo...

...yummy sourdough crackers made by Kirk...

...killing time until all the guys show up for Bible study...

...her favorite way to use markers, LOL :)...

...well, hello there...

...Jadon's graduation pictures and our family pictures...Stuard Images did an amazing job, and I'm so thankful she took them for us!...I am in denial that he graduates and only has the spring semester of high school!...

...another pic or two by Kirk...

...took an elfie picture while waiting for a special coffee drink...

...the girls loved sharing this drink, and they gave them a second cookie so each one had one...thank you CoffeeHaus at Shaw's...

...Kirk is working on painting magnets of Texas landscape...can anyone guess what bridge this is?...the correct answer spelled backwards...onalL

...ahhhh yes!!!  We are restocked on teas for a while!...

...our two teen guys went to help go through and repack Operation Christmas Child boxes at a packing facility in Dallas...it's quite amazing the tips they have given after helping there of what is best or not best to pack into the boxes...

...some of our December reads...

...love the festive look...

...why yes, I wanted to do snow angels so bad I decided a gravel snow angel was second best :)...

...this girl...borrowed sunglasses from someone helping with a CCA lunch, and the lady kindly sent me the pictures she snapped...oh, Janessa ;)...

...they worked hard and got to have a treat day of bringing their favorite stuffed animal to campus day...

...Gray decked out in holiday gear for the riding lesson Christmas party...

...the riding lesson group Christmas party...Janessa had lots of fun!...thanks to the lady that teaches and puts this on...

...Daddy packing for a work trip...LOL...He had better repack ;)...

...why yes, I know I am loved!...

...Gingerbread house decorating...

...these two can be such good friends and play like crazy with each other...

...chilly but cute!...

...beef tongue makes some of the best BBQ-smothered beef!...

...LOL, this cat has made it interesting...we had to tie a bell on the inside of the tree about a 1/3 of the way up the tree to alert us when he was climbing :)...

...watching the kitchen activity...

...thank-you sweet friends for this treat and another friend who gave us some special coffee that made the best dirty chai ever!...

...morning snuggles...

...helping Daddy and Jadon fill in holes in the yard...

...and yes, we are headed to KS again...

...cozy and comfy...

...doodling and waiting for Mommy to get clothes laid out for the day...

...this is what happens when Mom and Dad are chatting with people after our niece's wedding and the kids are ready to go, HAHAHAHA :)

...the young guys helping make deer jerky with Gpa Meyer...

...up at 3am to get it on the dehydrators and keep it turned...it turned out delicious!!...

...enjoying some food, drinks, and treats...

...and yes Aunt Elli did teach this concept that my kiddos just love...french fries dipped in vanilla ice cream :D...

...this little lady had one evening in KS that she was not herself...thankfully it was SHORT lived!...

...at the park with some cousins, Gpa Meyer and Daddy...

...enjoying puzzle time with this auntie...

...yep, we are playing another game :)...

...headed back south...

...and KONKED...

...this orange furball was so EXCITED to have us back, LOL; he would not leave anyone alone :)...

...hmmm, this goaty character did make it to Texas after all :)...this will be something put away with the winter holiday stuff and gotten out, and I wouldn't be surprised if he makes his way north to visit a certain someone that just loooooooves him up North :)...the inside info is that this goatee can be a bit annoying of how he sings...once is about enough for the adults, but you know the kids think its the best and hits the button on his foot on 100 repeats, lol :P...

...snagged a couple of clearance winter pillows that add a little extra cozy...

...Kirk's diligence and time put into these cupcake toppers paid off!...they are so cute...

...Kirk's made from scratch Caramel-filled Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting topped with mini gingerbread cookies...

...the mini gingerbread cookies make cute Gingerbread nog drink toppers...

...my attempted Chocolate Yule Log...looks neat for the first try...

...Jadon has enjoyed pursuing hunting this year...

...the buck he had watched for a while and named Rambo...

...and yes, I am still enjoying harvesting greens from my garden!!!...

...our puzzle love got resurrected in Kansas, and we have been enjoying puzzling pieces together on quiet, slow evenings here and there...

...snuggles and reading...

...Christmas morning...

...no matter if we have company or it's just us, we try to make all holiday meals special... it's a tradition that creates beauty and memories that are special and treasured...

...yummy...

...dessert...

...silent night with the glow of the fire and lights from holiday greenery and carols softly drifting from the speaker...yes, it was a needed few moments to unwind from the day...

...science experiments that the girls got for a Christmas gift...thanks to Daddy for helping them do them :)...

...Jadon enjoying some hog hunting...

...smoked and shredded wild hog...

...a board game night started with...

...a gel blaster war :)...

...they had so much fun!...

...this chef made sourdough naan bread that was absolutely the best...

...Rosie and Janessa...

...Rella Rosie's winter coat cracks me up...

...she got up early and went hunting with Jadon...these two deer went to the Good Samaritan Deer Project...obviously pink didn't deter the deer that morning, lol :)...

...the smile you get when she knows she is going to a friend's house and almost all of her favorite people are there for NYE :)...

...this puppy dog is one of the sweetest...

...ending the 2023 year out with some great friends...so thankful for y'all!...

...we are so very thankful for all our family, all of our friends, acquaintances, and all that God has done in 2023: the blessings and the many moments of growth!

May you seek God's guidance, peace, and love in the year 2024 :)

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."   ~~C.S. Lewis