G'ma and G'pa were able to come visit for the week of Christmas again this year. They bring so much joy to our traditions, and they inspire us to enjoy Texas a little bit more too.
The weather was warming up again (70s and low 80s), so... Horseback riding for four.
Bocce ball and picnic with our Italian friends at the lake.
Visiting the famous Buc-ee's gas station/convenience store. We discovered some amazing, fresh beef jerky and some delicious huckleberry preserves!
Texas Decembers can still have 70-80 degree days. So nice for the kids and playing outside.
We decided to try some Texas gardening this coming summer, so we ordered soil and garden beds now to prep. Eleven cubit yards of soil delivered to our driveway!
Lots of muscle-building work shoveling all the dirt to the wheelbarrow and then to the backyard. The kids were great helpers!
We are now ready for "spring" planting (late February we've heard is the first planting season).
Cane pole fishing with Lucas (and some neighbor kids) down at the creek. Many little sunfish were caught and some bass and catfish too!
The weather cooled and turned quite windy, so we tried to fly a kite.
Happy Thanksgiving, Y'all!
Last month our oven door shattered. Instantly, getting a new oven moved up higher on our priority list. We purchased a new slide-in (one unit) oven & stovetop, and then a new microwave as well. Thankfully our new appliances arrived within a week in great time for Thanksgiving!
Scheels came to Frisco. The store is quite impressive/overwhelming! But we all had fun walking around.
Brent had some buddies over to celebrate his birthday. Lucas took them to a gaming restaurant for a couple hours, then they came home for dessert, gaga ball, presents, and other games. Brent was all smiles most of the day. :)
Sara and Ray were married earlier this month. Ray's daughter was Sara's bridesmaid. It was a small-but-very-special wedding, and I'm SO grateful us Smiths could be there. We are so happy for Sara! She was a beautiful bride!
The Frisco High School Band does a yearly performance/tour, and our Village Green was one of their stops. So fun to have bright music being played right out our front door. And...the free snow cones were a delight too.
Lucas built it. We all, even the neighbors, sanded it. Then we celebrated. Let the games begin! :)
Amber is starting her last year of middle school. She's studying "logic," and astronomers, and pre-algebra, among other things. She is really liking math and getting excellent grades; the Abeka online lectures have been helpful. She also enjoys the youth group at our church; she's got some nice girlfriends there (who all share a love of volleyball). :)
Amber's co-op meets on Fridays. This is her second year with this group of middle schoolers, and they are getting to know each other more. Some of the boys are quite funny.
Brent is a gifted student. He asked me for an even more formal and intense science and history curriculum this year, "including weekly quizzes and tests, please!" He's such an eager learner! And...he just really loves his Dad! :) Any moment Lucas steps out of his home office, Brent is by his side. It's quite precious.
Brent still loves his cold-blooded animals! His tortoise Wally got an upgraded tank. He caught an anole lizard at co-op. And in our subdivision found a GIANT toad!
Clara is in 4th grade this year. She enjoys fashion, playing with her neighborhood & homeschool friends, writing papers, and learning to bake and cook! She is truly always busy doing something. She told me, "Mom, just teach me how to cook, and then I can take over in the kitchen for you!" What an offer!
Below she was giving a presentation on one of her fishing adventures at WI family camp.
...the furniture has been spray painted, the new rug arrived... We can now start the school year!
It was special to have Brian's family visit us for the weekend. The kids played Legos and Minecraft and One Night Ultimate Werewolf, went swimming, played in the creek, fed the snapping turtles, ...and even the adults got time to play some board games too.
