Christmas Fun

 We had such a fun and busy Christmas season doing all the things that bring us so much happiness and joy!  December is truly such a special time of year.  We are still super busy with normal schedules but we go in overdrive to do extra things as a family and with friends.  It may be exhausting but it's SO worth it!

We kicked off our Christmas activities visiting the Sapulpa Christmas Chute.  We were in town for a soccer tournament so it was an easy "yes"!!  2022 was the first year for this "event" and I debated the entire Christmas season if it would be worth the 1.5 hr. drive.  So glad soccer brought us close and made that decision for us this year!  It was 100% worth it and the perfect way to kick off the Christmas season.  The sidewalks of downtown Sapulpa are covered with awnings that are completely filled with ornaments and Christmas decor.  It's so beautiful and so unique!  

Each strip has a different theme . . .

My patriotic family loved the USA section!

One of our favorite holiday activities is ice skating downtown at Myriad Gardens.  We always plan our ice skating night for early December.  I grab the kids from school and we meet Tyler as he gets off work!  We typically have the ice to ourselves and this year was no different!  Mason woke up this particular morning saying he was just as excited for ice skating as he is for Christmas morning.  Love these memories and traditions we have!  Ice skating is definitely a family favorite!

Love love love them!

We tried Miracle at Social Capital after ice skating.  So festive and so fun!

This was definitely my fav photo opp of the season . . . and so fitting for these 3 :)

Why do they all look so old?!?!?!?   Harper is almost as tall as me!

Harper kicked off the friends Christmas parties with ice skating, dinner and a favorite things gift exchange with her girlfriend crew!  These girls are the sweetest!

Harper is amazing at ice-skating, definitely in her element!  All her neighborhood rollerblading definitely has her comfortable in ice-skates!

Next up, Mason and the Braves ice-skating night . . .

It was warmer for the boys night and the ice was WET!!!  Look at that wave of water!

The Braves also had a fun gift exchange . . . 

Mason ended up with a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader calendar . . . look at all those shocked faces!!! I just wish I could have bottled up all the laughs and giggles!

These boys are the best of friends and amazing teammates!

Jackson wrapped up the friends parties with an afternoon at Chicken and Pickle!  This is becoming such a great group of middle school friends!  They had the entire outside at Chicken and Pickle to themselves and had a blast!  

After all the kids parties it was my turn for a little fun with friends!  The blonde Bella Terra moms went downtown and did a Christmas bar hop!  We had the best afternoon/evening catching up!

Next up was Christmas in Bella Terra with horse drawn carriage rides and a visit with Santa.

The kids thought they were too old to visit with Santa but I reminded them you are never too old!  You have to believe to receive! 

It had been years since we have been to a Thunder game so we bought tickets and went on a random Monday night in December.  The Thunder are so fun to watch this season and we were excited to be a part of it for a night!  First up, a visit to dad's office!  The kids haven't been up to Tyler's office since before Covid so they thought this was extra special!

Such a fun night cheering on the Thunder!  We are all hooked now!

Our absolute favorite night at home is our annual living room sleepover and Christmas movie binge night!  We have been doing this since the kids were little and we continue to love it!

Harper had her first and LAST Christmas band concert.  Although she hasn't found a passion/love for band she sure looked cute playing her trumpet!

We changed up our annual Bella Terra Christmas party this year and had it at Nic's underground lounge in downtown OKC.  Nic's is one of my favorite winter bars because its so cozy and festive!  I sure love an evening with our amazing neighbors!  We are all so busy with our kids schedules and we don't see each other near as much as we used to but every time we do hang out it's the best time!

This year was extra special and sad at the same time . . . we had to say goodbye to our dear friends the Williams!  We are incredibly sad to see them go!  It's hard to lose a neighbor but even harder when they are some of your closest friends.  

We had a fun and quick Monday evening at the Continental Christmas party!  

The kids begged to head back to Miracle at Social Capital to rent an igloo on their rooftop so we did!  We had the best conversations as we cozied up in our igloo!  Love this time with the kids!

After our igloo we explored Scissortail park and took our annual pictures at the Scissortail bridge, which is one of my favorite spots downtown!

Jackson's request was dinner at New State!  Especially love eating here during the holidays with all their festive decor.

I counted down all of December for a very special night in downtown OKC!  We started seeing the Christmas Carol at Lyric Theatre before we had kids but in recent years the play was moved outdoors because of Covid.  This was the first year the show was back at Lyric Theatre!  We made it an extra special night and surprised the kids with a night at the National hotel!  We've all been wanting to stay at this hotel and during the holidays it's absolutely beautiful!  Pictures in front of the hotel tree is quickly becoming another must every year!  This was the first full day of Christmas break and it was an amazing one!

Aunt Donna flew in from California to spend Christmas with us!  It was so special to have her in town and share so many of our Christmas traditions with her!  

Kids can't stay at a hotel without visiting the hotel gym at least once!  The National's gym was one of the best!

Aunt Donna has always hosted all the Winslow cousins for gingerbread house making and decorating so she brought her tradition to us this year!   So thankful the kids got to experience the annual Winslow event!  We usually buy the pre-made gingerbread houses so getting to make them was fun for the kids.

Their houses were so creative!  I was so impressed that each house had a "yard" and all three did something different . . . we had one with grass, one with a pond and one with snow!

I thought I had a silent passenger in my car all of December but Mase still found his way in the front seat

Christmas Eve service with the fam . . .

After church we headed back home for games, dinner and lots of laughs!  I sure do love Christmas Eve with both our families!

Mason continued his tradition of pouring Santa's milk and following that with a chug from the jug!

We ended the night with Tyler reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas" . . . you're never too old for that even though Harper's face says differently!

I have not one picture from Christmas day but it was a great day!  The day after Christmas Aunt Donna took us all to Top Golf for a little family post Christmas fun! 

Such a fun, busy and memory filled December!  Until next year . . .