Frozen Duck Hunt

Monday Todd asked me if I wanted to go duck hunting with him since I was home alone. We loaded up everything and headed down to the duck club in the side by side. It was a cold cold morning. Like 6 degrees. We got to the gate and the lock was froze. Frozen solid and full of ice. We didnt have our full bags with us since we were going to be walking so we had no lighters. We lost the key to the club in the snow.. had to go to Flying J to get lighters. We came back to thaw the lock. It took a while but we finally got it.

 We made our way through the soggy wet snow, parked and hiked out to our spot. The visibility SUCKED. Fog had socked in bad. You couldnt see more than 20 yards in front of you

 That 'stream' is our foot path through the snow. There wasnt any open water. We made our own ponds by stomping down snow into the water. It was some hard work.

 The sun trying to sneak through the fog

 The fog started to lift

 We had no ducks. Nothing was flying. We packed up after a few hours and headed back home.

Christmas Day

Christmas morning we woke up to SNOW!! A LOT OF SNOW! I was so happy. This is out the back door

 and the front

 We opened presents. I made a french toast casserole. 

 We hurried and snapped a family picture before Chris had to go plow. He was off but on call for the week. He had to go plow several places. He left about 9am and got home about 8pm that night.

 Todd and Jana came over with their presents

 This year my parents got us a walmart gift card (perfect!!!) JaNeale and Jimmy got us toilet paper, paper towels, Tide packs and dryer sheets. Todd and Jana got us canned food to restock our pantry. Its so wonderful! It saves us so much money through out the year. 

 I was home alone almost all day by myself. I cleaned, organized, took a nap by the fire. It was perfect and it snowed all day.

 To the east

 To the west

 I organized all our canned foods!

 They also got us an Insta Pot. I cooked a peach jalapeno pork roast in it. I LOVE THAT THING!

We had a really great Christmas.. even if Chris had to get up the next morning to go plow at 3am.

Christmas Eve

The night after our party Parker and Kinlie spent the night at Grandmas house. We had to be at Todd and Janas at 9am to make sugar cookies. Parker and Kinlie wanted to come too. Grandpa Todd made everyone french toast, bacon, sausage, and hot chocolate in the Kureg. The kids loved it.

 Then it was time to roll out the dough! 

 Parker

 Kinlie

 Kennedy

 Rylee

 Briggs

 I made firefighter, fire truck and star cookies

 These two...

Chris spent his time in the garage cutting out decoys 

 Before we started frosting Tammy and Steve came over to bring Kennedy and all of us Christmas presents. She got spoiled.

 Then it was frosting time!!!

 As soon as we finished cookies JaNeale and Jimmy came over to do presents. They were pulling faces while opening.

 Then we had more people stop by

Then Chris and Todd went duck hunting. 

The kids stayed at our house and played until 330 when we had to go to my parents for Xmas and dinner.

Grandma was reading Koree and Klinton stories

 The medium kids table

 Then Koree read me stories

 My dad made two smoked turkeys, ham, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, homeade rolls, shrimp, little smokies, italian sausages and probably more things I cant even remember! He goes all out!

Then it was present time! 

 After all that fun and excitement we went to Todd and Janas to play 5 crowns. We had to wait for Santas ATL Box Elder dispatch does every year. Kennedy was soooo excited waiting for it.

We went home and opened our pjs.

 and while mom and dad were exhausted Santa finally came!