Holiday Round-Up

I remain eternally behind on this blog, so we are going to cover the holidays in just one post. Here we go!
For Halloween this year, James and Leo went as bats. James was Batman last year, and this year, “just the bat” as he put it. That kid really makes me laugh. We went trick-or-treating with the Shenks and there was a rolling cooler full of beer and wine. It may have been the best grown-up Halloween I have had. All Halloweens going forward will have alcohol. 
James and his jack-o-lantern
Leo, Hope (Maleficent), Taylor (BatGirl), Jackson (cop), and James
Corey (the Joker), Chris (as his adorable self), Matt (Jackson’s prisoner)
James and Jackson ready for some candy collecting!
Thanksgiving this year was celebrated at Richard & Cindy’s house. It involved football and excessive eating- my favorites! They have a traditional Silly String Fight every Thanksgiving and the kids had a blast.
James helped Uncle Matt out in the kitchen. He loves to cook!
Cousins enjoying the Silly String Fight
We spent the rest of Thanksgiving weekend with Pop up at Luther Springs camp. It was so nice to get back in a little nature and Leo was thrilled to get to run down trails again and go exploring.
James found animal tracks.
A very happy Leo
James and his GrandPoppa enjoying a beautiful day and a lovely lake.
I get to photograph all new kinds of plants. Woohoo!
Our little Shenk Family spent Christmas morning at home lazily opening presents and enjoying the day. Then, we headed over to Richard & Cindy’s for a great family dinner.
I really love these faces!!!
Santa brought James a new scooter!
He can read the cards himself now. So big!
I love watching him open presents.
He makes the best faces. 
Our sweet boy!
A slightly out-of-focus picture of the cousin pyramid
Finishing out the Christmas season, we enjoyed a visit from most of the Paul family (we missed you, Danny) and the kids had fun decorating a gingerbread house. 
Despite their faces, they seemed to have a good time making it.
I’m sure they would have preferred to eat the candy, but mean moms said no.
A “sweet” little house.