New Year's Fun

Guess who came to join us?

The OTHER Reeds!

It may be freezing outside,

but that didn't stop us from getting out there!

The little pond across the road

was frozen...

which made for an awesome

ice hockey venue!

We all had a blast!

Well, most of us.

It WAS pretty cold.

We had to throw some rocks

into the lake too.

Well, make that

roll some giant boulders

into the frozen lake

and break up the ice...

Definitely a group effort

There it...

GOES!

Cold but fun!

We had plenty to do inside too.

There were a lot of crafts

and games!

We even made our first

actual fire

in the fireplace!

(The first one that has EVER

been made in this 20 year old

fireplace!)

But what we were most excited for

was New Year's Eve

We got on our party gear

and got the party started!

Only a few of us made it until 11...

And even fewer saw midnight...

But we were all up

and going in the morning,

ready to start 2018 off right!

Can't wait to see

what 2018 brings!

Reed Family Christmas Vacation

Mom worked the Christmas week...

that means we're all off the New Year's week!

Let's go to the cabin!

An attempt at a giant family selfie--

Ranger too!

It's a bit cold,

but that didn't keep us from

going down the path

to throw some rocks

in the lake

We just have to bundle up!

We were happily surprised

to find the lake was frozen

near the shore!

I call this

"The Mess."

I made it myself.

We did some 4-wheeler riding too--

Pappo warmed up Weston's

Dad and Tuck took a spin

and Beck couldn't WAIT

to get out there again!

It was pretty cold,

but that didn't stop us

from all driving down to

the Saddle

and checking things out.

Can you see us?

Grandma, me, Wes, Beck, Dad and Tuck

followed on foot by Mom, Ranger and Tippy

Yep, 

Ranger and Tippy were fast BFFs

We had some warm fun too!

Poker is a big favorite

Beckett made some bold moves

that paid off.

Pappo started calling him

Beckett the Balls.

Whew!

Between hiking, 4-wheelers,

trips to Dollar General and the VFW--

it's been a whirlwind!

I'm not sure we're going to be able

to keep up much longer!

A little downtime

Did I mention I got a desk for Christmas?

I'm about as excited as they come!

B-doh got an Xbox controller

for Christmas.

What is a 4 year old going to do 

with an Xbox controller?

Maybe only slightly more than

a 2 year old will do with one...

A very merry Christmas

IT'S HERE!

IT'S HERE!

We excitedly waited at 

the top of the stairs...

before running down

and tearing in!

T was so excited

with each and every package

Jack got lost in his new

Wimpy Kid book immediately

and me?

I was SHOCKED

Mom and Dad broke down

and got me an iPod!

Jack was excited too--

just not fall-over-excited

Tuck was really excited to get

a big boy desk

(Beck got one too)

Grandma and Pappo,

Aunt Mandy and Uncle Kurt

all came over for the traditional

ham and eggs breakfast

And then?

More gifts!!!

And then?

Off to Grandma Phyllis's

and Papa Kim's...

for more gifts!

Grossery gangers--

I'm in heaven!

Everyone got a little something

and Austin read us a letter

telling us that our BIG gift

was a trip to Great Wolf Lodge

in 2 weeks!

All this family time,

good food

and fun toys to play with?

This was a very MERRY Christmas!

An Eve full of family

We are SO EXCITED

the big night is finally here!!!

All Grandpa Mike's family

and Papa Kim and Grandma Phyllis

came over to our house for dinner and fun.

Here's Aunt Kathy hanging with us--she's fresh in town

from Columbia, MO

(newly moved back to Missouri from California!)

Dad in his AWESOME

ugly Christmas sweater we got him

(and Ranger in his Xmas 'kerchief)

We loaded up on food

Put on the Christmas jams

And got down to OUR favorite part...

presents!

I was thrilled to finally get a

claw machine like Jack and Wes

Grandpa gave Aunt Carol

some obnoxious gag gifts

There were all sorts of digging toys

and sand toys

Everyone was festive

and enjoyed a night of catching up

Hope your holidays are starting out

just as festive!