Happy New Year!

This past weekend we went to the Lakehouse with Mom & Dad, John & Tiffany and their girls. It was a full house, but we loved spending time with family. The kids played inside and outside, using their imaginations and taking nature walks to collect "treasure". They were thoroughly worn out by the afternoon and so the adults instituted a mandatory "rest time" (plus we needed a break from the intense noise level of six kids playing). One afternoon Madeleine took a nap in the hammock and after she woke up, Charlotte wanted to join her. So the two sisters had some quality snuggle time.

On New Years Eve we went to church in Mineola and had some all-you-can-eat fried catfish and BYO wine in the tiny town of Pine Mills (the diet starts after Jan 1st!).  Back at the house we followed Stanley tradition and celebrated the new year with Black Cows (coke floats) and glazed donuts. Brannon and I did not make it to midnight to ring in the new year though - I think we are getting old and valuing sleep more these days!  But I am so glad that we got to spend so much time with our extended family in such a relaxing setting. We are just sorry that JM could not join us as she was on call that weekend. Hopefully next year we will all be able to get together!