I honestly couldn’t tell you how it happened, but it’s Christmas in a few days.
What have we been up to since Labor Day weekend?
Ella started 7th grade athletics, beginning with volleyball (her favorite non-soccer sport so far).
Michael hit double-digits.
Henry logged another season of baseball.
And Ella played her first season with the Rockets.
That was September.
October brought more volleyball.
And our annual pumpkin carving mess, I mean, afternoon.
Ella the Elephant
Plus a pretend pirate and a knight who didn’t want to wear any part of his costume except for the tunic. Based on the candy haul, the night was a success.
Next up: Henry’s birthday month.
After an 11-month wait, we hit the road for Galveston to catch our Very Merrytime Disney cruise to Cozumel. Henry was pretty excited about the McDonald’s pancakes.
Checking out the Port of Galveston before we set sail.
Mmm, breakfast buffet.
So many activities!! (Joke for two.) Despite the fact the kids weren’t interested in any of the Disney Clubs, we were entertained all day every day.
We made pretty good use of the Concierge Lounge and it’s juice, hot chocolate, fancy little snack plates that the kids wanted to taste but not actually eat, and all of the coffee.
The shows! This was my favorite part of each day. Henry was on the edge of his seat for this one.
We woke up and found we were in Cozumel.
But we had some time to kill before we were allowed to disembark.
Cue: Shuffleboard
We made it! Swim with Dolphins Day!
Back to the boat.
By the last day, Henry was happy to chill in the room with some Frosted Flakes. All of those trips to the souvenir shop to decide how to spend his allowance must have really worn him out.
Note to self: Save $200 and skip the Disney photo pass next time around.
Back home, we gathered with family to celebrate Henry’s 007 birthday.
Our nearly 13-year old has been stricken with a familiar problem. She can’t eat a s’more without taking a photo of it first.
Thanksgiving at the Farm! Where Mom has a 5-gallon bowl ready for mixing the oyster dressing.
Gigi and Poppa came to visit!
Here are a couple of outtakes from our last-minute Christmas card photo shoot.
Drew’s birthday falls right between Henry’s and Rocket’s.
When you’re sixteen, nearly all of your presents fit inside envelopes. Time flies!
Rocket’s 70th birthday fell on Thanksgiving Day this year. xo
It’s been a tough year, but that makes us all the more grateful to be #TeamRocket and celebrate our favorite man with a mustache!
Moo.
Let the holiday season begin! Gigi and Poppa helped us deck the house and put some yummy decorative touches on gingerbread houses.
On to what’s left of December!
Merry Christmas Y’all.