Grammy & Bobba in Town

Lane's parents came back home with us for a few days after we had Thanksgiving in Flippin.  One afternoon we drove out to a local hotel to see their pretty Christmas lobby decorations.  They have quite a variety:  a giant nativity scene, beautifully decorated trees, a gingerbread village and a Santa hanging in the atrium.  I think it would be so fun to build one of these gingerbread houses.  We loved the cathedral, and the dog house (covered in dog treats) was cute too.

We rode the elevator up to get a better view of Santa.

That afternoon we purchased a Christmas tree, and Bobba hauled it home for us in his truck.  (Home Depot doesn't quite provide the same farm-to-livingroom experience we used to enjoy in Little Rock...we still miss doing that activity every year...but it's a really pretty tree and smells wonderful.)  I love having the tree lights twinkling in the house every night!

Look at this fun winter scene! :)

Sunday we had breakfast at Cracker Barrel before Grammy & Bobba had to leave for home.  It was a good visit!

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family in Flippin.  My sister's family was in town, and Lane's parents drove up and met us there this year, too!  It was great to all be together. 

We stayed at the river house (and had our Thanksgiving meal there also), so I tried to do all the grocery shopping and most of the cooking at home before we left town.  

I burned the first buttermilk pie so I started over and made another one.  The "bad/burnt" one actually tasted fine (we ate it Wednesday night) even though it didn't look very nice.  I thought these cranberries looked so bright and pretty getting ready to go into the cranberry fluff.  I always think of my Great-Grandmother Wood when I make it. 

We picked up rolls from a local bakery on our way out of town.  We were loading the car to leave on Wednesday when the bakery called (at 12:50) and asked if I was still planning to pick up the rolls.  They told me then that they'd be closing at 1:00, but someone would still be there to let me in.  Oops!!  It was a crazy busy morning and a cold and rainy afternoon, but as soon as we made it to the river and got everything unloaded Lane built a warm, cozy fire and we had a relaxing evening. The kids played cards and chess, and I made veggie soup and cornbread for dinner.

Getting everything ready for lunch on Thursday:

Mom brought my (belated birthday) red velvet cake!  We forgot to take a picture before the kids got into it.  :)

One of the many things I'm thankful for this year is this precious baby nephew!  We love him so much!

Thankful for everyone in this photo--what a blessing to be surrounded by a loving family!

Happy Thanksgiving!

My sister brought me this for my birthday.  I love the mug--I've been using it almost every morning!

So after lunch it was time to get ready for the next family gathering with the Hoppers!  We had about an hour drive to my aunt's house, so I made a grape salad that afternoon, we rested for just a few minutes and then left for her house!  The two new 2016 babies were very popular at the party.  :)

J is growing so fast!

This November would have been my Papa Hopper's 100th birthday, so my Dad and Aunt Judy put together a very special photo memory book for each of his children and grandchildren.  It's such a treasure to me!

Judy also had this neat display table in her living room.  I loved looking at all the photos, letters and keepsakes.  I was blessed to have a lot of time with my Mama Hopper, and I have many wonderful memories of her.  I wish I could have known Papa, too.  I'm really thankful we were able to remember him together this Thanksgiving.

BBQ, Basketball and Brunch

On November 18, some friends of ours from Little Rock were in town for a cheer competition so we met them for BBQ.  It was SO good to see them and catch up!  

Alexee's basketball team played in a local tournament on the 19th.  Their first game was at 7:45 A.M.      What were they thinking with that start time!??  But it was a fun day...after a lot of coffee.  One of Alexee's teammates spent the night with us the night before the tournament, and they made Joey a gold robe. Ha Ha!!  They are very funny and creative.  After the three basketball games, the volleyball team had a season-end indoor swim party so we hurried home to change clothes for it.  Busy day.  

Monday was Bible study group at our house.  I tried two new Pinterest recipes:  Cinnamon Eggnog French Toast Casserole and Spinach Artichoke Egg Casserole.  I'll make them both again!

And here are a few pictures of Christmas decorations around the house.  Right on schedule, our Christmas cactus is in full bloom!   I think it is such a pretty plant.  

I bought these ornaments on sale at Michael's after Thanksgiving.  I love the soft colors with the twinkling lights behind them.  

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Tom Sawyer Musical

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Presented by the 4th grade class on November 17, 2016

The students (and teachers) did a wonderful job!  It was such a cute musical.  Many of those fun little songs are still stuck in my head!  I thought the kids looked so cute dressed up in their old-fashioned clothing.

My Birthday

I had a great birthday even though I had been dreading it because of the BIG, unpleasant number.  My family and friends made it very special, and I definitely have much to be thankful for.  The kids bought me a new wallet, made cards for me, and Rhett went into Target and brought a Starbucks tea back out for me.  I loved their gift, and how thoughtful they were!

November 16, 2016

Keeter Center--Branson, MO

I love this group!

On the night of my birthday we had reservations at The Keeter Center.  I was so happy my parents drove up to celebrate with us--thank you, Mom & Dad!  It was a great meal and a fun night together.  Afterward we asked a nice couple in the lobby to take a group picture.  We expected just a quick snap, but this guy happened to be a former wedding photographer so he did not take the assignment lightly.  He moved a coffee table, a sofa and a few chairs for this shot above.  :)

The staff sang and brought chocolate cake!

Had to have a birthday picture with Bogart, too.  :)

I received a special surprise gift from my parents.  They brought me the crystal snowflake ornaments that they'd collected over the years.  I've always thought they were beautiful, and I'm so proud of them.  Definitely something I will treasure always.  I bought a mini white tree for the ornaments and placed it on the nightstand in the guest bedroom.  (I didn't know about the mini-tree accessories at Target...the cute skirts, battery powered light strands, etc.!)

November Activities

The leaves waited longer than usual to change colors here this year, but they are finally really pretty!  Crosby and Alexee went on a walk with me one Saturday afternoon.    

We took dinner to a friend last Monday, including this chocolate chip pumpkin bread for dessert/breakfast.  I've shared the recipe before, but here it is again if you'd like a yummy treat for your family during the holidays:

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
(Makes 2 loaves)

1 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs
16 oz. can pumpkin

3 cups sugar
2 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp. cloves
6 oz. bag chocolate chips

***

Combine wet ingredients. Combine dry ingredients. Then add dry to wet ingredients and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour into two greased loaf pans (this recipe made enough for one regular size loaf and the two mini loaves in the picture above). Bake at 325 for approximately 1 hour, 10 minutes.

I was at Michael's one day to pick up some painting supplies and noticed that shadow box frames were 50% off.  I've been meaning to frame these baby outfits, so I thought it would be a good time to buy the frames and do the project.  We hung them in the hallway to the basement.  :)

Alexee's last volleyball game was the 12th.  She loved being on this team!  Sweet girls and a sweet coach!  

A & C had friends spend the night last Friday night, and R and Lane went to a movie together.  Everyone had fun!  Saturday afternoon Crosby attended a birthday party, then that evening we decorated the kids' tree.  It's earlier than I like to decorate for Christmas, but it's less stressful if I don't get all the boxes/mess out at once.  We'll decorate upstairs a little later.  

Sunday afternoon the weather was beautiful so we went for a short hike in the woods.  :)  

I love spending time with them!

Monday morning my Bible study group surprised me with a birthday cake, flowers and sweet cards and fun gifts!  SO NICE!  I'm so thankful for these friends, and I always look forward to our time together.  We're doing the Beth Moore "Children of the Day" DVD study, which has been wonderful so far.  This was such a great way to start the week.   I wish I would have thought to take a group picture!

Touchdown!

Saturday was Crosby's last 2016 football game.  It was such a terrific season, and we really didn't want it to end.  It was a GREAT group of boys and coaches.  We loved watching the whole team play.

We were excited about Crosby's touchdown in the final game of the season!  So proud of him!

We were also proud of how our players and coaches were always encouraging to each other and respectful of the other teams and referees.

Loved their expressions as they received their medals.  Sweet kids!

Alexee helped me make some little treat bags to hand out after the game.

Crosby was so happy when I told him that Mo & Grandad were driving up for his last game.  It's always good to have them here!  They treated us to lunch to celebrate his touchdown, then joined us for Alexee's volleyball game that afternoon.

We loved watching Alexee play, too!  Only one more game for their season.