Treasures of the Season: Part 4

On the weekend before Christmas, we made our second annual trip to Santa's Wonderland to see the lights.  It was such a treat for me to have ALMOST the whole family there for the trip.  We were only missing Jim and Matt.  I won't bore you with a lot of commentary...I'll just let you enjoy the pictures!

Maddux, Davin and Brooke with their light-up swords.
This was worth the price of admission!

We even got to see a REAL reindeer before he headed back to the North Pole to help Santa with the flight around the world.
52 points!  Jim says it looks like his horns are attached to a Great Dane!

My babies!
I couldn't convince them to get a picture made with Santa...but they did agree to one in front of the Texas flag in lights.

Brooke had her picture made with Marshal Frost.

We ate LOTS of kettle corn!

We went on a hayride to see the lights.

We went on a pony ride.
Look at that smile on Davin's face.

Maddux kept yelling out, "Yee haw"!

And Brooke waved to the crowd like a true Rodeo Queen.

We then went to pet the animals.

Or kiss them, as the case may be.

Then we stopped for a funnel cake the size of your head!

And warmed up with some hot chocolate or hot cider...whichever you prefer.

And then it was time to head home.

And God bless us all...each and every one!

Hope you enjoyed my walk down memory lane. Thanks for letting me share the things I treasured this holiday season!

Treasures of the Season: Part 3

Each December brings with it an opportunity for Jim and I to co-host a party with these two amazing people for our amazing employees!

Alison & Porter Bentley

We have the best time visiting.

Jim, Zheng, Shirley and Jonathon

And apparently, so do they.

Meagan, Derrick, Heather, Billy, Our Waiter, Chris, Dona & Trey

<>We have some fun by drawing for door prizes.

Ricardo, Ezequiel & Aida

Five Years!!!  Way to go, Jesse!

And we celebrate those who have stuck with us through the years!

But mostly, we just have a whole lot of fun!!

Treasures of the Season: Part 2

Thanksgiving is a special time for our family.    We travel back 'home' to southeast Arkansas to hunt and visit with my family.  We are not all able to make the trip anymore (this year we were missing Bri and Matt), but we try.  Since the majority of both of my parent's families are in the area, we generally get to see most everyone in one visit. 

Thanksgiving Day is hosted by my sister, Rosa, and my brother-in-law, Steve, at their cabin in the woods.  (Kelli pointed out the other day that their cabin looks eerily similar to the Santa pictures cabin!)

My Little Sister, Rosa: Hostess Extraordinaire

Rosa usually prepares most of the meats, including her delicious stuffed chickens which you have to be first in line to get some days!

The Jenkins Clan: 2011

This is Arlee & Lurlene Jenkins' crew...minus at least fifteen people!  We are a mob of chaos to try and get in a single photo.  Even in this one, we couldn't convince Maddux to get off of Uncle Steve's tractor for even one shot.

Uncle Bobby, Ray, Brandon, Glen & Will discussing the morning duck hunt.

We catch up with one another...

Time to eat! 
Mrs. Bertha, Steve, Brian, Jana, Shelly, Taylor and Derrick

...and we eat!  Boy, do we eat!!!   This is just the meat and side dishes.   In case you missed it, the dessert table is seen in the picture above with the boys talking. 

The Bolins and the Goodes

It is one of my favorite times of year because I get to be with those I love!

Standing: Derrick, Meagan, Will, Brian & Kelli
Seated: Fonda & Jim
Front Step: Davin, Brooke & Maddux

Treasures of the Season: Part 1

The tree was decorated.

The stockings were hung.

The fire was lit.

All was ready for the family to gather and celebrate.

Meagan, Derrick and Davin.

Kelli, Matt, Brooke and Maddux

Bri, Josh and Blue

Brian

William

Jim and I

Hoping you and yours had a Merry Christmas and are looking forward to a Happy New Year too!

From Our Family To Yours...

Merry Christmas!!!