The Keene Family

Christmas came so quickly this year! School wasn't out until December 21, and then we went skiing on Saturday. Sunday we had plans with friends (boys shooting rifles, girls making candles) and a bonfire with family that evening. And then it was Christmas Eve! We had a lovely day at home together, and then ate our nice dinner and went to Christmas Eve service at our church.  We came home and ate our traditional apple pie... but changed up what we watched. Normally we watch the original Grinch Who Stole Christmas and send them to bed. But older kids with later bedtimes and an early church service meant we had time for Home Alone. Our favorite part is to watch them laugh and laugh at the pranks. And then the big day! We told the kids they could go downstairs and open their stockings when they first woke up (without us - a first). And then they could wake us up at 7 AM. But Haley woke up at 6:45 and decided to read in bed and wait for her family... so at seven ...

The woman who has driven the school bus for our neighborhood retired today. She has been driving our neighborhood route for about a decade! So we gathered kids from all three bus stops into one place and presented her with a sign, flowers, a card, a gift certificate to a local restaurant, and hugs with smiles! The kids had so much fun being a part of this surprise and she loved it! Meanwhile, what can I say about these two ladies? With our matching mugs and laughter. God surely had a plan for me when we moved into this neighborhood... we live just a few houses away from both sets of grandparents AND amazing friends. Given all the personalities in those dynamics, it's rare that everyone would get along so well (sometimes the kids argue, but that's life!). We are so blessed!

We've been looking forward to this evening with friends for a month or so! Scrooge the Musical is put on by a local church and is a very high-quality production, complete with flying angels and pyrotechnics! We invited our friends the Drews and the Lees to go with us. We all went out to dinner beforehand, and then settled in for the show.

We had the pleasure of heading to Portland this past weekend for Grandma Hall's 90th birthday party. We also had the honor of escorting the birthday girl from her house to the party venue! The kids and I were backseat buddies, and I snagged this cute picture of my two favorite kiddos on the way to the event. Grandma wasn't sure she wanted this big event, but we all promised not to throw her another 90th birthday party. We didn't get a whole group photo, but we did grab one with ten of the 16 grandchildren at the end. There are tons and tons of great grandchildren, and they were too busy running around outside to get a photo. :) We spent the night at Grandma's house, and JT and Haley just loved playing with and walking her dog, Callie. We also made a yummy family breakfast Sunday morning before hitting the road home. On the way home, we stopped twice (we made it to Portland in record time on Saturday but weren't in a rush coming back) - once f...

We are back in action for Keene family Ski Saturdays! We love getting up bright and early and heading to the mountains. Surprisingly, even after a long week at school and work, we are all up and out of the house cheerfully before 7 AM to hit the slopes by nine. The kids just love it, and we all have a great time spending the day together.

This year we decided to host Thanksgiving at my grandma's senior residence in the hospitality room, so we could all be near her for the holiday. It was the perfect space! But let's back up to the start of the weekend... We started a new puzzle. And snuggled into the cold, wet weather. Haley also suggested a family game of Monopoly, since we had four whole days to play! On THE DAY, I popped a turkey in the oven and zoomed over to my grandma's to set up with my sister in law, Gena. Then we came back and feasted and hung out with family. I was thankful to get another 4-generation photo of my grandma, my mom, Haley, and me together. On Friday morning, Haley woke up bright and early to start decorating! Just like last year, the boys went up the ski hill and the girls stayed home. I think it's fun! Haley and I went to see The Nutcracker and the Four Realms in the afternoon after the house was decorated. We liked it! Ahhhh… Then we ...