Magic Time Machine

A couple of weeks ago, we went to Magic Time Machine with these sweet friends to celebrate Tony's birthday.  Our family hadn't been there since Jessie was very little.  It was more fun than I expected and way more food than I needed.  We always enjoy these people and this day was no exception.  

There were lots of laughs to be had when you dine at a place like this!

My Sweet Friend

The Fortenberry's sit in front of the sweetest little family in church.  I have spent what seems like the better part of a year trying to befriend their cute little daughter.  We'll call her M.  M is shy and only smiles at me and says hi.  One day as we left church, she ran up and gave me a quick hug.  I call that a success.

One week, I thought Mom deserved a little break and I told her to send one of her cute littles our way.  She said that she had been threatening to do just that.  Just so we're clear, when you are at your wits end, I will never be your punishment.  I'm more of a friend.

I talked M into coming and sitting with us during Sacrament.  She sits so sweet and quietly.  She puts on all my jewelry and we draw or look at books.  She pretty much makes my Sunday.  One Sunday, she brought me a note that says, "Dear Sister Fortenberry."  I think M and I are on our way to becoming BFFs.

I Love My Boy

While Jonathan was away over the Christmas break, his grandparents bunked in his room.  He left his Christmas presents and his tuba strewn everywhere.  I was left to straighten it up.  While I was tidying up, I came across a tin box under his bed.  Scared out of my mind, I pulled the box out and found that Jonathan had written his name on it in sharpie.  I carefully opened the box-- not sure what I might find.  Much to my surprise, I found his stash of Christmas candy.  I'm not sure who he thought might take it, but he made sure to hide it!  I love my sweet boy.

Mountain Man Rendezvous

Jonathan had the opportunity to attend some sort of Mountain Man experience from December 29th through the 31st.  I can't even pretend to understand what it was all about.  Fred grew his beard out and went for one night.  I think they participated in activities that were reminiscent of the olden days.

Our friend, Tony, was nice enough to send me these pictures while they were away.  The climbing picture was accompanied with the message that read... "He was a little nervous going over the cliff."

I know that there was no running water, so he went three days without a shower.  THREE days.  I think they brought in port-a-potties for this thing, because-- well, no running water.  You can't even imagine how fast I washed his clothes.  He used his good UnderArmour IHS band duffel bag.  I Frebrezed it.

The best I can tell, Jonathan had a great time, and Fred was sad that he only went for one day.  Unfortunately, he just couldn't get off, because of the timing during the holidays.

We are so thankful for these experiences that both Fred and Jonathan have had over the last couple of years.

My Steven!

One of the best things about Christmas was getting to have lunch with Steven Parker!  You just don't even know how much I love Steven.  He is one of my oldest and dearest friends.  When I say oldest, I don't mean that he is literally old.  I mean that I've known him for a really long time.  I've known him for almost as long as I can remember.  He knows a lot of my secrets.  Too many.  Hopefully, his memory is fading.  We spent hours and hours on the phone when we were young.  I should probably send his dad an apology letter or send him a gift card or something.  

I remember that I was so homesick those first few weeks at UNT (yes, I am aware that I was only an hour and fifteen minutes away from home).  I was sad to leave my family and sad to leave Fred.  How thankful I was to have Steven there with me.  We had so much fun together.  1992 is still one of my favorite years!

Steven and I met for lunch at this cute little restaurant in Wylie.  It was in an old house.  How fun is that?   We talked and talked.  I could have sat there and talked all day.  I'm so glad that he made time for me while he was in town.  My dear friend lives in Colorado now, so we haven't seen each other in several years.  Mostly, we fill each other's Facebook walls with Steel Magnolias quotes and text occasionally.  My dream would be for him to move to Frisco and teach at IHS.  My ultimate dream would be for him to be my next door neighbor!

Steven, thank you for a great afternoon!  I love you and miss you, my dear friend.

F-R-A-M-I-L-Y

A couple of days before Christmas we gathered with these people that we love so much.  Jessie and I weren't able to make it to see the Star Wars movie, but the rest of this group went to see the movie and then we had dinner at Outback.  I was tickled pink, because you may or may not know that I can eat me some steak.  I think Jessie and Jaiden had macaroni and cheese, and Jonathan ordered a hamburger.  Yes, these children go to a steak restaurant to order food that they could just as well eat at their house.  I still claim them anyway.  

We then went back to the Palmers to play the candy game.  I didn't even understand what the candy game was.  Now, I know.  It is Fred's new favorite game.  We have so much candy at our house, because Fred introduced the candy game to my family.  I think you should only play the candy game ONE time per Christmas season.  Seriously!  It's kind of like a White Elephant candy game on steroids.  The Fortenberrys came home with 11 different types of full size candies.  Crazy!

We are so thankful for the Palmers and Moffitts and their sweet friendship.  We enjoyed celebrating and having fun with them.  We love them and we are thankful that they are our "framily!"

And, He's 16!

Happy Birthday to our favorite boy!  I can't believe that he is 16.  Time has flown by... it is not fair.

We are so proud of this young man.  We love him so very much.

Christmas Scavenger Hunt

Christmas morning, we had the kids open their presents and their stockings.  Just when they thought they were through, we sent them all around the house looking for clues to their last gift.  It was only money, because Santa had absolutely no idea what to get these children for Christmas.  Last year, they had big gifts that they wanted.  This year, Santa ran out of time and ideas.  There were no requests from the little children, so Santa thought they might enjoy a little green for their wallet.  However, we made them work very hard for it.  Jessie was quick to figure out her clues and was running all over the house.  Jonathan let her know that it isn't a race and it doesn't matter who gets there last.  We laughed and told him that is what all the people who are in last place say.  In the end, they had fun and enjoyed hunting for their gift.

Christmas Morning

Historically, I struggle with keeping my blog updated during December and January is overwhelming to me.  Posting during the busy holidays is next to impossible and then there is the thought of trying to give a Christmas update!  I think I might just hit the highlights.  Or, I might just post pictures without much commentary and let you use your imagination.  We'll just see where the posts take me...

We enjoyed a quiet Christmas at home with just our little family this year.  It was a busy week and a a half.  We were running everywhere and enjoying so many people that we love.  I was thankful that we were able to just enjoy our family on that special day.

 

Fred grew his beard out for the Mountain Man Rendezvous that he and Jonathan went on right before the new year.  

Sweet Mollie loves being the center of attention.

Our holidays were crazy, so Jessie decorated my tree for me! Thank goodness or it might not have gotten decorated.

We had a busy, but wonderful Christmas.  December just about did me in, but it was worth it.

Secret Santa Shenanigans

I can't even tell  you how much I love the week of Secret Santa at work.

I pulled the name of the office geek and had so much fun putting his gifts together.  I had help from another geek who had great ideas and I think everything was perfect.  I wish I had taken pictures.  He received Star Wars Duck Tape, a Captain America key chain, a Star Fleet decal, and an Agents of S.H,I.E.L,D,S. patch.  And, the best one of all, Spock socks with ears that stuck out.  They were so amazing.  He has already worn them and he actually had a Star Trek shirt that matched them.

My Secret Santa was Ben.  His wife, Jen, helped him put his goodies together and they did an amazing job!  I can't even tell you.  

On Monday, I received an entire bag of Almond Joys!

There was a questionnaire that asked if you would like one big gift or smaller gifts throughout the week.  I said that I wanted to be surprised.  So, Ben, waited until Thursday and made a big drop. I received all of my favorites -- Mint M&M's (I love these so much), note cards, gel pens, cute socks and a mug.

On Friday, we had our big reveal.  I received a gift card to Chick-fil-a!  Ben's wife, Jennifer, knows how much I love Chick-fil-a!  I eat there so often that they know my order by heart.  (6 count kids meal with a bottled water and BBQ sauce.)

Secret Santa week is the best!  I love playing Secret Santa and I love the sweet gifts that my Secret Santa left behind.