December 2018

Saturday, December 1, 2018 - Valparaiso, IN

This evening me, Holly, Jess and the kids had dinner with Diane and Lauren.  After dinner each of the kids got a turn to help Diane cut cookies and put them on the cookie sheet to be baked.  Alex was the first to help.  After the cookies were done cooking we then took them downstairs and decorated them.

Ami wore her cool cats for the picture.  :)  All the kids had a great time!

It was another wonderful day!

Sunday, December 2, 2018 - Valparaiso, IN

This morning we all headed for Indianapolis for a birthday party for Dad.  :)  The party was at Ben and Jamie's new house.

It was great to see everyone!

It was another wonderful day!

Tuesday, December 4, 2018 - Mission, TX

Today was a beautiful so I took a picture of Gracie enjoying the sunshine.

It was another wonderful day!

Sunday, December 9, 2018 - Mission, TX

Mike and I decided to head over to South Padre Island. We stopped at Pirate's Landing on Port Isabel to eat an early dinner.

When we drove over the bridge we drove from one end of the road to the other.  Then we drove out to the beach.

On our way back to the bridge we came across a pickup truck that was stuck in the sand.  At first we just stopped and asked if they had any chains or straps.  They said "no", so we drove on.  But as we were driving away we remembered we had our straps in the back of the Suburban.  So we turned around and pulled them out.  They attempted to drive in sand that was not already packed down...  That is what happens.  :)

It was another wonderful day!

Saturday, December 15, 2018 - Mission, TX

Each weekend that we eat at IHOP this lady is here painting faces of the kids wanting their faces done.  She does a really nice job.  Maybe when the kids come for spring break we will bring them here to get their faces painted.

It was another wonderful day!

Sunday, December 16, 2018 - Mission, TX

When went to Anzalduas Park today.  It is right on the Rio Grande.

It is a pretty big park.  This is the sign we saw on the pier.

This is pictures of the Rio Grande with Mexican park on the other side.

We did go down to the boat ramp and let Gracie go for a quick dip.

We watched very close for alligators.

The boarder patrol came in on their boats.  You can't see them very well, but they are there.  :)

It was another wonderful day!

Monday, December 24, 2018 - Indianapolis, IN

This afternoon we all headed out to Indianapolis for our annual Christmas Eve dinner at Kazan Japanese Steakhouse.  One year we did try another Japanese steakhouse, but it was just not as good.  :)

Once everyone arrived they started cooking dinner.  Ami seemed to enjoy it, but was cautious.  :)

Then she looked bored.  :)

Then back to happy.

"Did you see that Mom!"

As usual it was a great dinner!

It was another wonderful day!

Tuesday, December 25, 2018 - Indianapolis, IN

Merry Christmas!!!

Once the kids woke up and before everyone arrived we let them open up one of their presents.  Santa dropped all of their presents off at Uncle Tony's.

Soon everyone started arriving.

 Some of us were happier about eating first, then others.  :)

 As always Mom served a great meal!

Then it was time to open presents.  :)

Soon after presents were opened and things were cleaned up we headed north for Tony and Miranda's house.  Diane, Lauren, Dennis and Holly joined us.

 The kids finally got to open the presents that Santa brought.  :)

It was another wonderful day!

Saturday, December 29, 2018 - Angola, IN

For lunch we stopped by Culver's and we noticed it is proudly owned and operated by The Smith Family.  :)  Any relation Kathy?

After lunch we headed for Angola to go to Toboggan Run at Pokagon State Park.  While we waited for our turn to ride on the toboggans we walked along the track.

And went to the lodge.

It was finally our turn.  We picked up our toboggans and headed for the top of the tower.  Ami was ready!

Once we got to the bottom I am not sure Ami really liked it.  :)  "I am too cold Mom!"

The boys wanted to help Papa carry the sled back up.

Here come Miranda, Ami, Jess and Tony.  :)

On the way back up we stopped on the bridge to take a picture of the run.

We each got to go down twice.  It was a lot of fun!

It was another wonderful day!

Sunday, December 30, 2018 - Valparaiso, IN

This morning we got up and headed back over to the Toboggan Run and went down a couple more times.

It was a beautiful sunshiny day!  Ami put her snow pants on today and was much warmer, so she enjoyed the ride more today.

After riding down a couple of times we headed back to Valparaiso.

It was another wonderful day.

Monday, December 31, 2018 - Valparaiso, IN

I can't believe I did not take any pictures of our New Years Eve party.  We had the party at Tony and Miranda's house.  Diane, Lauren and Holly came over.  We played a couple of games and at midnight we said "Happy New Year", then everyone went home and we went to bed.  :)

It was another wonderful day!