bass pro santa

I took these cuties to see Santa the day after school got out and I couldn't believe how big they looked. I'm feeling very sentimental this Christmas since we decided to tell Brooke that Santa wasn't real and I am just wishing that time would slow down.  I don't want them to grow up too quickly, but we also didn't want Brooke to find herself in a situation where she was embarrassed because she didn't know things that other kids knew.  She was REALLY sad when we told her and said, "I really thought it was all true!"  Kevin joked that I was just too good at the magic of it all, but really I wanted her childhood to feel magical, but also to know what was real and what wasn't. But she was a great sport about keeping the magic alive for Colby and humoring me with a trip to the Bass Pro Shop. 

They always love to build with the Lincoln Logs...

Before walking over to Santa, Brooke asked if she had to sit on his lap.  I assured her that she most definitely didn't need to sit on his lap.

He asked them all about what they wanted and Colby asked for an electric scooter and Brooke asked for a L'ange hair straightening tool. 

They wrote their letters to the North Pole and placed them in the cute mail box...

You know you're at the Bass Pro shop when they have duck hunting, 4-wheelers, and taxidermied animals...

I ended up buying the pics since I'm not sure how many more years we will continue with this tradition.  Colby asks way more questions that Brooke ever did and I honestly think he knows that Santa isn't real...but we will continue to do this until he confirms my suspicions. 

broncos-flag football

Colby's first flag football games are in the books!  He played two games in a row and was seriously SO happy about it. He scored two touchdowns, had several great handoffs, and a great punt I caught on video.  I don't know much about football, but I'm gonna learn by the time this season is over. 

Go, Broncos!

Grandma and Papa were there to support Colby :) My kids are always in some sort of sport season, so with the Peacock girls as well, their weekends are full of sporting events!

At the next game, Colby caught an interception and I was lucky enough to catch it on video!  I can't remember if they won or lost, but he is really enjoying his team and the whole experience. 

The next week was really brisk, but Colby was looking extra handsome for team pictures so I insisted on a picture. 

The Broncos lost their game, but Colby enjoyed playing quarterback more than he did at the last game. The normal QB was injured, so Colby is taking over and it honestly isn't his favorite position, but he's doing a great job. He had a really good throw for a touchdown near the end of the game and I managed to get it on video!

I missed most of Colby's game since I was with Brooke at UTA, but I was able to see him with a touchdown at the end of the game! Kevin also had some amazing videos of him pulling flags in some key plays!

I wanted to get one team picture after the final game, but than the coach informed us we'd have a consolation game the following week, so I guess the season wasn't quite over!

The last game of the season was a good one for Colby. He was a flag-pulling machine, had a few great catches, and several great throws, one of which ended in a touchdown.

We were missing several of the boys (and the main coach) at the last game, but that meant more play time for these kids!  

Thanks for a great season, Broncos!!

winter orchestra concert

My beautiful girl had her orchestra concert on the 10th.  Her group (Lyrica) played two songs and then joined Symphonia and Chamber Orchestras for Christmas Carols. I am honestly amazed at the progress they have made in the 3.5 months since the school year started.  We were super early (as usual so I can get a good seat), so I was able to get a few pics of Brooke and Avaani, her "cello bestie."

Grandma and Papa came to watch and joined us for the refreshments afterwards.

Kevin and I were unintentionally matching, haha.

I made Brooke pose for a picture when we got home because I wanted a full view of the cute Christmas sweater we found while thrifting...

We are so proud of you, Buggy!  It was pure joy listening to you play and seeing your hard work and dedication pay off. 

prairie lights

Since we missed the Sneak-A-Peak again due to our camping trip, we invited family to join us for Prairie Lights. They were eager to join us, so we met at our house for a quick lentil soup and roll dinner, then piled into Uncle Jeff's truck and drove through together.  The workers were super accommodating and allowed Jerry (and everyone in his car) to park near the Fire Station near the entrance of the park so everyone could pile into the truck and only pay one admission fee.  It was close quarters, but so fun to be nice and cosy.  

We had a lot of laughs, consumed tons of treats, and serenaded a few cars!

They moved my favorite light tunnel to the entrance, which meant more time for tunnel pics as we waited for the gates to open!

You're never too old for a carousel ride, but I AM too old for the spinning puppy ride, haha. 

The Santa boots were a fun new addition and created the perfect photo op...

\

The Walk-Through Forest is another favorite, so we were grateful that the ground dried up from the previous night's downpour.

Every time I see these cousin pics, I feel such gratitude that they have such a close bond and that they get to grow up together.  I never lived close to cousins, so this is something I hope they never take for granted. 

What a fun night as a family!!