Arkansas

With insanely cold temperatures it seems only appropriate to post pictures from our fabulous Christmas week in Arkansas where the temperatures were mid 60s for several days, we were hot while going on a hike, and my kids wore tank tops and basketball shorts. That sounds just heavenly right now. 

Despite not growing up in Arkansas, walking into my parents house just feels like home, especially at Christmas. They have the most beautiful, HUGE Christmas tree, the people, the decorations, the food, just being together and talking for hours next to the Christmas tree make it one of my favorite places to be. We all love the people, the weather, the fun outdoor activities and all the extra attention.

We had everyone practicing basketball. Quinn starts his first ever basketball season this week so we brought along a ball and the hoop was to make it to the front door. There were some pretty intense basketball games that went on.

My sister Kelly's boyfriend Jeff is 6'5 so everyone wanted to be on Jeff's team. We all really enjoyed getting to know him and he was such a good sport and played hard every day with our kids. They can easily overwhelm someone new but he seemed unfazed by our chaos! Thanks Jeff!

We are hoping that Nana and Papa will be able to make it to a game or two of Quinn's this winter. It's a good thing they have such cute grandchildren or I'm pretty sure we would never see them the entire winter.

Nana getting into basketball.

 We enjoyed lunch outside one day and snacks many days. It was, "hot," according to my children.

I even managed to bask in the sun for a few brief minutes.

We took a hike to the dam at their lake and found shells and threw rocks. Titan and I brought up the rear of the group. He is one pokey walker, not much can make this boy move fast if he doesn't want to.

Rex still has his handful of shells hiding in his coat pocket.

The wind by the lake made it a little cooler.

Papa and Dan took the big kids fishing, although I'm pretty sure we should just call it casting, they rarely catch anything. We are starting to wonder if there are any fish in the lake at all! Good thing they are happy just being on the water.  We also enjoyed a perfect boat ride. The kids love to drive the boat with Papa.

Jett loved looking over the front of the boat.

Oh Rexy.

On one of our MANY walks/hikes.

We loved spending a week there. We are anxious for my sister Dana and brother in law Ryan to have their baby so that Nana and Papa are forced to come and visit us on their way North, maybe they will bring some warm weather with them!