We had a very nice Christmas this year. Scott got an electric beard trimmer and I got a little TV for the bedroom. I’d been fighting it for the last 13 years saying it would interfere with my sleep at night, but I also needed a quiet place to shut the door and watch some TV once in a while. We opted not to record Damien opening his Christmas presents this year, but I took pictures.

Here’s the breakdown for gifts:

• From Grandpa and Grandma Hanks: Light-up snowman pillow and Splendor board game
• From Great Grandma and Tom: Activity watch, gold squishy ball kit and gold bath bomb (as of this post he’s used the bath bomb and loved it!)
• From Grandpa Whitehill: Kinex roller coaster set, NERF guns and ammo, Mario Party game
• From Great Grampy and Great Grammy Whitehill: Perler beads, Switch carry case, Switch screen protector, and Monopoly chocolates
• From Mom and Dad: Headphones, graphic novel, gem dig kit, Let’s Go Pikachu game with pokeball and strategy guide

Thank you so much for everyone who sent gifts/money for Christmas this year. Not only were we able to get Damien and ourselves some very nice items, but we also went to Christmas Town (which turns out is not free entry for military like it is during the summer). So thank you!

For Christmas dinner, we made a couple of casseroles and went over to the Millikens’ house who provided an excellent meal. They prepared one of their backyard-raised turkeys with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, two types of pies…EVERYTHING was so good! It was nice to spend time with family and catch up.

I can’t remember the last time we actually had a family photo taken so I figured it was time.

Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

The Friday before Christmas, we made it out to Busch Garden’s Christmas Town. A lot of the rides are closed for the season, but they decorate and open for both Halloween and Christmas. I love the Christmas vibe so I’m so happy we were able to make it out this year. We couldn’t have picked a better time too because the weather was a wonderful low 60s/high 50s and it wasn’t terribly crowded. We ate some BBQ, had some delicious peppermint hot chocolate, visited Santa, and rode the train around the park.

Damien said he didn’t have a good time. I don’t know why because the only thing that wasn’t great was the long wait in line for the train. Otherwise, I don’t know what he has to complain about! I loved it. If we ever go again, I’d like to see one of the Christmas shows.

It was an eventful week. I flew to Texas for a week-long work conference. My room was nice and served a free breakfast AND dinner. I got to try Puerto Rican food and In-and-Out for the first time. Overall it turned out to be a productive trip.

While I was in Texas, the military children from Damien’s school got to meet the First Lady, Melania Trump!

Damien made us proud at the school year’s first awards ceremony. He’s on the B Honor Roll with Perfect Attendance AND he passed the two Critical Assessments that the students start taking in Third Grade.

Scott let his hair grow out for about five months before it was time for a haircut. It did NOT look good. In fact, it kind of reminded me of wig hair lol. So instead of cutting it all off like when he was in the military, he went for a fashionable style instead and I think it looks SOOOO much better.

Thanksgiving this year was low-key. We spent the day at home. Scott was sick so I made all the food: ham, scalloped potatoes, sweet potato casserole, and green bean casserole. Oh, and I made pumpkin pies too!