Santa!

The girls were fired up to make the trip to see Santa and fill him in on what they wanted this year.  For Whitney, a last minute change from an American Girl doll to a Flutter Bye Fairy and for Lindsey, a bell for her bike.  I told you that girl loves her bike!  After Santa, at Bass Pro again, we had to go see the fish tank and make at least one lap around the store, per daddy.  And also do Whitney's favorite, pick a set of animal tracks to follow all throughout the store.  Frantically, I might add.  With no attention to those around her, human or display cases.  After Bass Pro we headed to dinner at Texas Road House.  It's somehow become the tradition, the girls love the peanuts. :)

Waiting...

Yes!

Shooting...

and slot cars

and coloring

and crafting

and catching him in a 4 wheeled machine.  It was only a matter of time really...

They love Santa!

But they love this guy even more!

Worn Out

We've been burning the candles at both ends recently.  This poor girl is plum worn out after doing some shopping with daddy and waiting to pick up sissy at school.

TE Christmas

Third annual tight end Christmas party.  The Olsen's know how to throw a good one!  A private chef, three types of meat, various sides...scrumptious!  Should've gotten a picture of the guys, but here's Tate and the girls in their Christmas jammies.  The twins were already in bed.  Everyone is growing up fast!

Panthers vs. Jets

Ben's second game back in action!  We had many visitors in this weekend.  20+ family and friends.  Lots of kiddos running around and having fun.  Lots of grown ups having fun too!  We came out with a win.  Next week is a rematch with New Orleans only at home.  And for a chance to the playoffs!

Ben doing what he does best...making holes!

Sweet friends!

Move Part 1

It's been a wild weekend.  About 2 weeks ago WE SOLD THE DOUBLE-WIDE!!!  Such a blessing, such a huge answer to prayer.  You see, we found out in September that we couldn't get our CO (certificate of occupancy) for the new house until the trailer was off the property.  (It's a long story, but it includes many layers of governmental red tape and deficiencies.)  Regardless, we were a little antsy to get the thing sold before January when we would be returning back home.  So obviously we were beyond thankful and thrilled for it to sell.  With the sale though meant all of our contents needed to be moved out ASAP.  So that's where the girls and I were all weekend.  It wasn't supposed to be all weekend, but you know, sometimes things don't always go the way we want it or plan it.  Sometimes little ones get sick vomiting the night before you're supposed to be meeting movers.  Sometimes you have to push the movers back a day and do the whole pack and move in one day instead of breaking it up.  Sometimes the finish time doesn't finish at the time you thought it would, so you have to stay an extra night.  Sometimes you get a text from your friend in the morning telling you that your car door is open and you realize it has been all night, and it rained.  Nope, not really anything went the way I wanted it to over the  weekend.  But you know what did?  Friends.  Friends prayed.  A lot.  For Lindsey to stop puking, for Whitney and I not to get it, for safe travelling, for a smooth move.  Lots of praying.  Friends sent texts and called just to check on us, to see if we needed anything.  They stopped by to chat and laugh with me.  Friends came to rescue my girls from a day of being miserably bored with me and the movers.  Friends were there to hug my girls at Christmas party at school.  They were there to give us a bed over night and feed us.  Friends were there to give me a towel to dry my rain soaked car.  Our friends, every single one, near and far, new or old, are amazing.  Special, special people.  We are so blessed to do life with all of them!

The old d-wide.  We're going to miss this thing.  Lots of memories and laughs here.  Funny enough, we are all a little sad we won't be staying here anymore.  The blocks are already busted out underneath and it'll be moved sometime in the next week or so.  Ben made the point that we weren't there when it got moved in and we won't be there when it gets moved off.  Hope the old girl isn't offended. :)

The girls had "sticker collections" on their walls in their rooms

The movers worked ALL day to get it done.  It just seems surreal that we are finally moving our stuff into our new house.  It seemed so far off, but now it's here!!!

And one last goodbye...sniff, sniff...

Goobers

Here's a taste of a day in the life of Ben with his friends at work.  They really are just a bunch of goobers.

Oh Christmas Tree!

Tree Decorated!  We let the girls pretty much do it all on their own this year.  Daddy just got a few of the high spots.  He's good to have around for things like that! :)