Munce Family Christmas

Our family Christmas looked a little different as we had a flight booked first thing in the morning on Christmas Day. We worked out a little deal with Santa Claus to stop here before he went to England and it all worked out pretty good. Everyone got what they wanted, and even a few Dandy surprises that shocked everyone. ;) We enjoyed a day at home with gifts, and our favorite traditions: high tea and Nachos Navidad. I'm trying to savor the moments, the kids are older, independent, interesting, and fun, I want to hold onto it forever. 

Ready for the fun to begin! 

Family gift. xoxo

High Tea

I bought this gift for myself. ;)

Aftermath. 

Nachos Navidad

It was a good day. 

December Chaos

Thankful for December and the chaos it brings, with the kids in different activities and different friend groups, it keeps our lives full and fulfilling. We are also thankful for the scheduled nights in, too. Here is a quick catch up in photos of the fun we had:

So much snow! 

Piano song for grandma and grandpa. 

Piper's orchestra concert. 

Catching some local hockey. 

Connelly Christmas, only missing one! 

Sibs

White elephant fun. 

Sully, the big winner, look at all
of those reactions in the background! 

White Elephant with my family 
is one of my most favorite traditions. 

Take it to the turf soccer tourney.
Sully with the Christmas theme outfit. 

The Grinch at the Wash Pav. 

Date night with Dave. 

Omaha!

We spent black Friday on the road in a blizzard for a quick weekend with the girls in Omaha. They we dumped on and the city was ultra sleepy. We enjoyed a fantastic hotel, some a bit of shopping, the hotel hot tub, and some great restaurants. The roads were much smoother on the way home. The girls had lots of fun together, and per usual, so did Mag and I ;).

Snowmageddon! 

Squad

Thanksgiving

We jammed a lot of fun into two days over the Thanksgiving holiday, one of the highlights was having one of my best friends from Minneapolis and her family, her sister and her family, and my sister and her family over for an evening before gathering. We sat around the fire and shared stories and memories while the kids played in the basement. My heart was full. 

Thanksgiving day was made easy courtesy of the Sioux Falls Co-Op as I catered 90 percent of the day. We enjoyed the family that was local plus my aunt from Minneapolis. The puzzles kept people here for the long haul, we had so many great conversations and lots of fun, it was a highlight Thanksgiving for me. 

Gehlens and Munces

Kiddos 

Fave friend since the late 90s. 

Thanksgiving with Patty. 

Patty and the kids. 

Isaac, grandma, and Sully

The spread. 

The place setting. 

My love language. 

TWO epic bithday parties!

We did it. After weeks of asking for sleepover birthday parties for both of the girls, I finally scheduled it and it happened. 

Greta's was on Friday with three friends, it involved birthday baskets, a charcuterie board dinner, an escape room, a quick stop at the Falls to see the lights, brownies, and a movie with an 11:30 bedtime. The girls are fun and respectful and considerate, a great group. 

Piper's was on Saturday night with 5 friends and involved birthday baskets (the girls told me they are viral??), a charcuterie board, an escape room, pizza cheeks, brownies, a movie with an 11pm lights out with 30 minutes more to chat. These girls are silly and a little spicy, and full of energy. 

We all had lots of fun, but when the final guest went home Sunday morning, I moved to my bed and hibernated for the rest of the day. We did it!!!

The set up. 

The girls. 

They almost escaped! 

Its also Dave and my 16th dating anniversary! 

The basket. 

The set up for the second night. 

The girls. 

Pizza Cheeks

They escaped! 

Igloo fun.