Christmas 2016

Well the last couple of weeks certainly blew by fast! I've not had a minute to even sit in front of the computer. I don't know how ya'll do it over the holidays. We had a house full of company since the 23rd and before that, I was busy getting ready for the house full of company. We had 7 staying here plus a new puppy,  a 2 yr old, 1 bathroom, and  it was wonderful! The kids left on the afternoon of the 26th after spending a morning working on their pistol skills. Around here, 'home on the range' includes the gun range:

I took my mom to Ruidoso for the day on the 27th. That is such a pretty little town, just 90 miles from here and there was just enough snow to make it magical, but not enough to make driving or walking treacherous.

On the 28th we were hit hard with a nasty stomach bug. Very thankful it was after Christmas and the kids were gone although DD thinks she brought the virus with her. She was the first to get it after she left the ranch. On the 29th I took my mom to the airport.  Whew. It took a while to get beds put back together and cots put away and then pack away all the Christmas decorations, not to mention bleaching down the house and everything in it.

But I hope ya'll all had a blessed Christmas. I know that we sure did! With little kids and puppies and family, it's always a ton of fun. Here are a couple of my favorite pictures...the tree that our North Camp man brought me was simply perfect. Our ceilings are 9 ft and we had to cut a foot off of the tree in order to squeeze it into place:

And then a few more inches to accommodate the star:

30 years of Christmas memories with a story behind each one:

Christmas with a 2 yr old, especially this 2 yr old, was magical:

And a Christmas puppy that always found a willing lap:

And made himself right at home:

And no, he's not staying here although Skeet thought he was his Christmas present. :)

It's been a while since we've viewed Christmas through the eyes of a little one:

He's incredibly sweet:

And tidy! He put every piece of paper in the trash as he unwrapped each gift without being told:

I tried, but his Mama wouldn't let me keep him:

Our annual puzzle piecing party was a hoot. Our North Camp Man, Dane, is single and he was here so we adopted him for Christmas. Poor fella. Don't think he was ready for the insanity, but then again, he fit right in so I hope he felt like part of the family. At one point, DH told him he was fired due to 'poor puzzle ethics'. LOL.

And I'll leave you with what is probably sums up our Christmas the best. This picture that our girl captured just cracks me up:

                                        

Wishing you all a Blessed New Year as you ring in 2017! I think I'll be starting mine with a nap!