Snow-ish

 

Army birthday party

Last event of the year was Benjamin's Army birthday party. It was a bitterly cold day, but the people still came to celebrate. We decorated with all of Perry's old army gear, and it was perfect. Benajmin requested Emily's chocolate/chocolate cake as cupcakes and the turned out yummy. We had a fire in the wood burning stove and one in the fire ring. The kids didn't seem to mind the cold! It was a good day! People that came...Pop, Nonna, Mac, Lesa, Rodney, Granny T, Jim, Skeeter, Pattie, Amanda, Keira, Brooke, Faelyn, Kinzey, Christa, Zephyr and Rory.

Perry's tops, cot, ammo box, duffel bag and so much more.

Perry and Rodney put the burlap up as curtains for me to keep the wind it. It was perfect decor too.

Keira and EC watching us get it all together from the roof.

The birthday boy!

Granny T and Papa Jim with the birthday boy! The invite said to wear your best camo and most everyone did! Even Granny T!

Rory, Zephyr, Benjamin, Faelyn, Kinzey, Ella Claire, Keira and Scully

Silly faces.

Serious faces for battle.

Salute! Even with the wrong hand sometimes.

Scully says surely someone will drop something!

He was so excited to open his gifts.

Rocket launcher bow and arrow.

Hatchet and knife set, uh-oh.

Shark book.

More guns and grenades.

He also got some camo coveralls, a few dollars to put in his wallet, a couple of flashlights and more. He had great birthday, and we have some great people in our lives that love our children. As soon as this picture was taken, he and Zephyr ran off to play in the woods. It was a good day!

 

Around the house in Dec

I did't take many pictures in December that didn't have a birthday boy or countertops in them. Oh well. Here's a puzzle the girls and I worked on and finally finished. It was so pretty.

Of course, pictures never capture what you see with your eyes, but man this was a gorgeous sunset with snowcapped mountains.

Orange chili I made with my orange tomato sauce I put up this year. I saved all the orange tomatoes and canned them by themselves. It made the prettiest sauce! Once all the other ingredients went in, you really couldn't tell it was orange anymore. PS look at those countertops to the side!

Abby made some cheesecake from some raw milk we've been buying from a local lady with a cow. Of course, it was strictly for the dogs to eat! ;)

 

Benjamin turns 7

Happy birthday to Benjamin IV! He has been really excited about this birthday and keeps asking me, "mom, can you believe I'm 7 now?" No buddy, it's really hard to believe the baby of the crew is 7. He's excited to be entering what he calls the "middle age" where he's not in the young, baby age anymore and can really do things now. He's so funny and it's so much fun to watch him grow. He's having a blast! This birthday he got a Scooby Doo analog watch, a BB gun, more BBs, nerf guns and lot of army stuff. It's so different watching a boy after I've had 3 girls!

He requested mama's homemade buttermilk biscuits and sausage. Look at how BEAUTIFUL those countertops are. I'm not embarrassed to show pictures with them showing now!

Telling me what time it is. Look at those eyelashes!

We had a small birthday dinner with his favorites, chicken and fries, followed by chocolate cake with chocolate icing! He's officially 7!

Pop, Nonna, Granny T, Papa Jim, Mac and Lesa joined us for dinner and brought gifts!

Papa Jim and Granny T.

I love the look of pure joy!

The largest nerf gun ever and like 100 more bullets!

Army private Hays. He was so excited for this dress up gear. Makes it real man!

They are ready for battle, or whatever! LOL

Loved Perry's smile to see Benjamin in all his new gear.

Letting the girls shoot him with his new gun like it's nothing. Now he thinks it's his turn to shoot them!