Candy Trees!

Advent nights are a Christmas tradition at our house. One night a week, during the month of December, we make a craft, eat a snack, and read part of the Christmas story. Last night's craft was...Candy Christmas trees!

 Jed was the only one cooperating for pictures...as you can see. :) 

The younger kids used wrapped hard candies to decorate this Styrofoam cone. It turned out great...they did an awesome job!

"The Best Christmas Tree Ever"

We say that every year...but it just might be true every year. :) As is tradition, we went to cut down our Christmas tree on Sunday.

 Jed and Sam on the wagon

 Grace and Rissa (Ben's girlfriend) were able to come with us this year!!!

(Grace and I)

We found it...the best Christmas tree ever. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving this year was filled with games, cousins, 

desserts, and lots and lots of FUN!

 Grace, Grandpa, Grandma, and Sam playing euchre

 "The guys"

 Abe and Elizabeth decorating a gingerbread house...

those kids are getting better every year!

The Brockers were able to come for part of the day, which was super fun.

Thanksgiving night, all 27 of us went to watch 

"Frozen" at the theater. If you haven't seen it yet...go see it. :)

What do you get when you cross homeschoolers with a simple, Thanksgiving craft like Native-American headbands? This.

Animation Mentor

Sam has officially begun Animation Mentor, an 18 month, online program that pairs you up with a mentor in the industry, teaching you all you need to know to become an animator. Sam's mentor, it turns out, used to work for Pixar on movies such as Toy Story 3, Wall-E, and Brave! Cool, huh?

On a side note...we're leaving for a month-long RV trip today. Your prayers are very much appreciated! 

The Grand Unveiling

     Wow! It's hard to believe that it's already mid-September. I apologize for my rather...inconsistent blogging over the past couple months, we've had a busy summer. 

     Anyway, for those of you who were hoping to see the reactions of certain family members when they got their first glimpse of the newly-renovated lake cottage...here you go! 

 Grace (cousin)...

 Jed...

 Cal...

and Grandpa. :) I think he was a little shocked, don't you? :) 

Happy Birthday, Mom!

We love you!!!

Lake Wawasee!

Once again, the Wilson clan all gathered at Lake Wawasee for their annual 1-2 weeks of vacation! Everyone had a blast swimming, fishing, turtle hunting (or getting stranded out in the boat while turtle hunting), fishing, playing games, and more fishing! :)

 Annie and Jed. 

 The swan and her cygnets (baby swans), were so much fun to watch and feed! 

 Playing games!

 Dad and Uncle Dru catching a few minutes of relaxation on the pontoon boat.

 Grammy frying up the fish for our annual fish fry at the end of the week. We've never had so much fish before!!!

 Playin' Nuke 'em! 

All the little girls being silly. :)

July 4th!

Our absolute favorite place to spend the 4th of July? Lake Freeman!!! Cousins, sunshine, games, cornhole, and water volleyball are just a few of the things that make July 4th at the lake so much fun!

Kristen and Maggie...best buds!

 Jason and Sam loungin' on the hammock.

 Gramma and Elizabeth

Abe's quite the pro at cornhole!

 Grampa enjoying a relaxing boat ride...

...and the little kids enjoying the huge waves splashing over the front! :)

Maggie, tuckered out after a long day of swimming!

 This is what happens when you give boys marshmallows, but no fire to roast them with...they get resourceful. :) 

 Sparklers before the fireworks!

Cal, Katelyn, and Jed

I think just about everyone felt like this by the end of the weekend...tired, but happy!

Happy 4th of July!

Sam: Class of 2013

 1995

 2013

Sam graduated from highschool this past Friday! Here are some pictures from his open house! Congratulations, Sam!!!!

 The proud parents with our graduate! 

 Rissa and Ben

 All the kids waiting for a ride on the tire swing. :)

Playing Catch-Phrase after the open house with friends and cousins.

We're so proud of you, Sam! 

Ouch!

Well, we made it home safe and sound! The past week has been crazy busy as we try to get back into the swing of things. But...the "crazy busy week" ended nicely with a trip to Lake Freeman! In the middle of a game of volleyball, however, Abe somehow hit the ball wrong and dislocated and fractured his finger. Here are some pictures...

No...that is NOT normal. :)

Always smilin'! :) 

Thankfully, he was never in too much pain, and I think the first thing on his mind was "Does this mean I can't swim?!?!" 

Travel Update: Carlsbad Caverns

Since we had some free time this week, we were able to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park! It. Was. Amazing! Absolutely breathtaking! We had been to caves before, and didn't think this would be much different...were we ever wrong! :) If you are ever near Carlsbad, New Mexico...it's definitely worth stopping! 

Behind Jed and I is the cave entrance. It was about a mile walk down to the bottom and at least another 1.5 miles from there. 

 The rock formations down there were absolutely stunning! We probably took over a hundred pictures all together, but I just posted two. :)

 

We're now in Tulsa, Oklahoma and tomorrow is Ike's 14th birthday!

Travel Update: New Friends & White Sands

While we were still in New Mexico, one of the board families from the Albuquerque convention invited us to their home in beautiful Los Cruces. After having a blast with them Monday evening and Tuesday morning, we all went to White Sands for the afternoon! 

Note: Never go to White Sands when the wind is blowing approx. 40 mph! :) We learned the hard way. 

Between the two families there were 12 kids. 

Here we all are at the top of the dune...

...and here we all are "sledding" down the dune. :)

One of the perks of RVing??? All the great new friends we get to make!