Fort Christmas

We couldn't go camping at Christmas this year because of my eye debacle but we still made it to a State Park!  

Eye Surgery and Naughty Part 3

For my birthday, this year, Jed wanted me to have Lasik done but I was still nursing Isla so it had to be postponed.  

When Isla weened in June, I had pretty much forgotten about my birthday present.  

Until, recently, when this girl reminded me by doing this, 

 with her bare hands, no less!

Granted they had already been snapped by several of her brothers but it was the straw that broke the camels back!  

I made an appointment to find out if I was eligible and it turns out, I am! 

So I scheduled my surgery and while in the chair, at the beginning of the procedure, I found out that I was in fact, not eligible, due to my eyes being too small for the suction ring instrument that's used. 

So instead, I had a different surgery done, called Photorefractive Keratotomy, otherwise known as PRK.  It has similar results to Lasik, with a much longer recovery.  

So for the last week I've been, well, recovering.  Eventually when my vision is less hazy I'd like to chronicle my full experience!  

Birthday Boy

Due to my unexpected change in eye surgery, I was in bad shape on Evan actual birthday.  My eyes would barely open in the morning and burned and watered most of the day.  It was a bummer!  

Thankfully my big nine year old was a trooper about it and so was his dad!  

Jed wrapped all of Evan's gifts.

And made a 3 tiered cake!! 

I think Ninjago dvds make up for mom laying on the couch all day, pretty well. 

So does a first bow and arrows set!

He's already planning his first hunting trip for next year!  

The next day I was feeling quite a bit better so we went out for his birthday dinner to our kids' favorite restaurant.

Steak and Shake! 

I'm so thankful for the last nine years with this amazing and sweet boy!  

Love you Evan!! 

Books and Bears

Our Annual Christmas Picture Fail

The pictures speak for themselves.  

This is as close as we came to a good photo, before Isla had a meltdown which I documented in the fifth pic above.  

Naughty Round 2

Just playing a little angry birds on mommy's phone, no biggie. 

Oh no, she caught me! I've gotta hide! 

She'll never find me now!  

"Going to Town"

It's been over a decade since I've had to use those words regularly and I smile to myself every time!  

That said, I don't remember going to town being as eventful when I was growing up as it is here.  

This is one of two rattle snakes that we've spotted. 

 A forest fire near our house that was thankfully put out. 

And a poached gator.  

Every time I get in the car I wonder what I'll see next! 

A Name

We'd like to name our new property but we're having a hard time picking between two finalists.  

The Duckling Ranch

or

The Duck Pond Ranch 

Which one is your favorite?!  Also, if you were going to name your house what would you choose? 

Family Photo Shoot

My sister asked me to take photos of her lovely family which I was more than happy to do. 

Not only did I get to spend time with three of my favorite people!  It also gave me the motivation to scope out great places to take pictures on our new property!  

The biggest bummer was how hot it was!  We were all sweating profusely at the end but I think I captured some good ones!  

This little guy is always on the go!  It's been a couple years since I've had a 1 year old boy and I had forgotten how go, go, go they are!  

Either he's a wild 1 year old, or those are zombie parents chasing him! 

Fortunately it's the former. 

The boys.

"You want me to sit still?! Hahaha!" 

He's a total mama's boy. 

Mom, not in front of other people! 

Aw, fine! 

They're a ridiculously photogenic family!  

Hints

My children can be hard to buy for.  They're not always forth coming with what they like but this year I've been given some decent clues... 

Christmas Decorating

The Sunday after Christmas Jessie and Nate headed home and we dove into decorating for Christmas!  

I should say, Jed dove in dragging me with him.  I usually love decorating for Christmas but this year with the move and everything, it just seems so overwhelming!  I have no vision for what I want this house to look like so it's hard to get excited to decorate.  

Fortunately the tree was easy enough and the kids were so excited to help.  They put most of the ornaments on this year, I simply had to pass them out and later go back and take some from the bottom half of the tree and put it on the bare top half of the tree.  :)  

As you can see pants were optional.  

Don't let that face fool you she was plotting how to reign down destruction on all our work.  She destroyed more ornaments in the first 24 hours than all the boys in almost 9 years!  

Seth's handiwork this year. 

 Seth's handiwork from 5 Christmas' ago.  May we never forget what 2 year olds are capable of. :) 

 Christmas selfie! 

Finished! 

 The next day with Kane and Ford's help we pulled out a few more decorations from storage and while I placed things, they added their own creative touches.  

Merry Christmas!