Mashed Potato Breakfast!

Aeva gets very upset when anyone eats the left over mashed potatoes. She tells us not to "waste them" when we are making ourselves a bowl. They are only truly being used to their full potential when they are in her bowl, topped with gravy and going into HER mouth. I am going to have to pay Grandpa Ken some money to keep her stocked up. She never gets them from me because I hate peeling potatoes. I have a feeling that Grandpa Ken would be more than happy to oblige her.

Christmas 2017

Another year of traditions has come and gone. We woke Christmas morning to our first snow of the year.

Haun Christmas Party.  We were told to bring a shovel and come early.  Gracie had the honor of holding the shovel and the presents.  She's a good sport.

Santa made it!

Gordon, the elf.

White elephant game.

We managed to offload this beauty of a gift to, Dax!  He loved it!  I'm so glad he loved it because if he didn't, it would still be on my kitchen table!

Troy, unfortunately, did not win this beauty of a pillow but he spent several minutes creating sparkly patterns.  His birthday is coming soon.  Maybe we know what to get him?!

Grandma Rett and I managed to arm Garrett with a Christmas gift in case his new friend that happens to be a girl showed up with something for him.  We take such good care of him (whether he likes it or not)!

3 days before Christmas someone pointed out that Grandma's tree was nowhere to be found.  What?!?  We had to fix that immediately!

Sugar cookies for Santa!

We made a few extra plates and took them around as we caroled to a few of our neighbors.

Christmas Eve

Christmas morning

Grandma is focused on her Christmas dinner mission!  We would starve without her!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Snowman, Cats and Tubes

 Maddie got a new camera for Christmas!  

We decided to put it to work with some outside snowman building.

Soon, Gracie...and the cat became the focus for the future photographer.

We have decided to call this look her "smolder".

They finished their afternoon with some impromptu tubing.  When there's not enough elevation, you go down the stairs!

Aeva's Christmas Art

 On Christmas Eve we had a one hour church service.  Aeva spent the entire hour coloring.  At the end, we had 2 new pieces of art.

Display #1:  Let it Snow

Display #2:  "Food", Subcategory: Favorites, Breakfast and Least Favorites

We should take some time to analyze her second piece.  First of all, the categories.  Favorite, Least Favorite and a random bonus category of "Breakfast".  Love this kid.

Next...favorites.  This would include doughnuts, Hawaiian Haystacks, crapes (crepes), noodles, ice cream, watermelon, cookies, mashed potatoes and hot chocolate WITH marshmallows AND whipped cream.

Least Favorites:  radish  and beets (two foods I am fairly sure she has never eaten), green beans, fall apart sandwiches (basically this is a turkey, cheese and lettuce sandwich that falls apart when she tries to eat it...hence, the name), cooked veggies, Zupas (Troy and Maddie quite like Zuppas so Aeva feels it important that everyone know she does NOT like it), tomatoes, broccoli, tamales, sushi and a broad category of "sour things".  Overall this category seems to be heavy on all vegetables in general.  Perhaps we can turn this into a New Year's goal for 2018...try new foods with an open mind.

The Infamous Stapley Christmas Card

Every year the Stapley's impress us with an incredible Christmas Card. 

 This year did not disappoint!  Truly magical!