Christmas and Family in Texas

**GUEST BLOGGER**

 ~ Eric Hendrickson ~ 

We left for Fort Worth on December 20th, which is my mom's birthday.  All of us (my family, Bret's family, Marc, and mom) went to eat at a restaurant that specialized in pizzas.  We had a few specialty pizzas and mom had a big hamburger.  I was impressed that she ate it all.

The next day my bros and I went to Top Golf while Stacee took the kids to the park.

Pictured above, left to right, Silas (5), Ayden (8 1/2), Sarah (10 1/2), Phoebe (8), and Kallin (4 1/2).

Later that day, we went to a different park near the house.  We played kick ball and basketball.  A few of the local boys joined in with us.

That evening we played Bean Boozled.  The gross jelly bean game.  I reluctantly played.  Thankfully I didn't get any nasty beans.  You will see below, by looking at their faces, that some did.

Sarah and Kallin were partners.  Andrea and Phoebe were partners.

Marc and I were partners.  Bret and Ayden were partners.

It is fun to watch people's reactions to the nasty beans.

Marc though he could be manly and eat a nasty one (it may have been spoiled milk).  He didn't finish it.

We also decorated gingerbread houses.  Messy!

and Yummy!  Some ate a lot of icing.

1-2-3-4 I declare a thumb war.

I made some shortbread cookies for the kids to decorate.

Silas and Ayden liked eating some dough.

Mom had a cookie press for us to use.  I helped the kids take turns using the press.

The kids also had fun playing with play-doh.  After dinner it was time to open presents.

The kids got a lot of fun things.  We bought mom her favorite perfume (at least I always remember it being her favorite), Chanel #5.

Wow, everyone is smiling and looking at the camera.  Nice picture of mom and all her grandchildren.

We thought it would be fun to re-create a picture from around 1997 (above).  I believe this was my first year of college.  We then posed to recreate a picture from around 1990.  I believe based on my hair that this was from 6th grade. 

We came home on Saturday so that I could teach Sunday school the following morning.  It was a short, but good trip.  It was nice seeing everybody.  Love you and have a happy new year.

Daddy Dates 2017

In 2014 Eric started taking the girls on "Daddy Daughter Dates".  The girls got to take turns going on a date with Daddy throughout the year.  It is a time that each girl looks forward to when it is their turn to go on a date with Daddy.  When it is their turn they get to think of something fun that they want to go and do with Daddy.  Silas got to start going on dates with Daddy too in 2016.  This has been fun for Eric and our kids to do together.  They get to have one on one time and lots of attention from Daddy.

**GUEST BLOGGERS**

 ~ Eric and the kids ~ 

Sunday, February 26th, 2016 - Date with Phoebe
Build-A-Bear and Cold Stone Creamery

For the first date of the year, Phoebe and I went to Build-A-Bear and Coldstone Creamery

I took a picture of a reluctant Phoebe in front of the store.

We looked at all the different animals and Phoebe picked a nice pink and white bear.  You can see it in front of the girl in the gray sweatshirt (pictured below).

After about 1 and a 1/2 hours in line, we made it to the stuffing station. 

Phoebe put a heart inside the bear before she sewed it up.

We then went to the Birth Certificate station to print off a birth certificate for Annie (the bear).

We ended our date going to the Coldstone Creamery.  Phoebe got a huge bowl of oatmeal cookie ice cream.  We took about 1/2 of it home.  Thanks for a nice date Phoebe.

Saturday, May 27th, 2017 - Date With Silas
Exploration Place and Braum's

With being busy fixing up the new house and coaching softball, I have not had a Daddy date in awhile.  There is a new Super Heroes exhibit at the Exploration Place, so my boy (Silas) and I decided to go.

Silas and I took a selfie in the garage before leaving.

Posing in front of the new exhibit sign.

I am wearing my Superman shirt.

Silas flying the airplane.

My favorite at Exploration Place is the train around Kansas.  Really cool.

After Exploration Place, we went to Braums to enjoy a sundae.  Thanks for the fun time Buddy!

Saturday, December 16th, 2017 - Date With Sarah

Movie and Dairy Queen

Since I have been spending a lot of my time fixing up the new house, my amount of dates were low this year.  At least each kid got one for the year.  My date with Sarah was to the movie "Wonder" and then a dessert at Dairy Queen.

We ran out the door because we barely had enough time to get to the movie.  I helped us be late by missing the turn to the movie.  It is a little tricky to get to.  You will see that I had a Chiefs shirt on.  They were playing a huge game against the Chargers that evening.  Chiefs won.  Sarah, who never watches football, watched the last quarter with me when we got home.

The movie was great.  I might have even shed a tear, at least that is what Sarah will tell you.

We were hungry after the movie so we shared a chicken tender meal and a large cheesecake blizzard.  Umm, blizzards are good.

I enjoyed all my dates this year.  Just wish there would have been more of them.  I will do better next year.  Love you kiddos.