One of the things I was excited about when we learned we were moving up to Missouri was the SNOW.  I just knew we would have lots and lots of snow.  Of course, it is only right that the one year these Mississippians move to Missouri...there would be very little.  So when I went to bed on February evening with snow falling, I was as excited as a little kid to wake up to the grass covered.  I'm pretty sure I was bundling the kids up before Millie Janalee even ate breakfast.  Smith definitely had his breakfast, because that would just be misery if he didn't eat on time.  Ha!

Millie Janalee had never seen this kind of snow.  She was really sure what to do.  So she just start digging and throwing snow around.  Such a joy to see her experience snow for the first time.

Until she took her gloves off and kept digging.  I can only assume that her fingers were stinging from the cold.  And I was alone.  With a baby on my hip, a camera in my hand, wet snow falling, and a toddler having a meltdown.

So we went back inside.  Took layers off and cleaned up all the melted snow between the door and the television where Mickey Mouse Clubhouse calmed everyone.  Ha!

It was short and sweet.  But not too short for a little photo of Smith's first snow!  I'm that mom who brought the bouncer out for a photo shoot.  He wasn't sure about the flakes falling all over his face.  Contrary to what the picture shows...he wasn't crying.  He was just trying to figure the whole thing out.

As expected, Daddy came home to redeem the whole snow experience.  With a kiddie sled!

He spent the rest of the light evening hours sledding the kids around the back of our town home.  Everyone loved it!  Russ and I for sure.  I wish I could've ridden to be quite honest.  Millie Janalee loved it...

...AND Smith loved it!!

We had SNOW much fun on our very first Missouri snow day!!

Coon Family Christmas

I am finally coming to the end of our Christmas recap.  But no Christmas is complete without a good ole Coon family Christmas!  Christmas with my mom's side of the family never disappoints.  Full of laughs and lots of fun!  Adding kids to the mix doesn't hurt either.

Selah Grace and Millie Janalee taking over Hughes's toys

Russ soothing a 2 month old Smith!  So tiny.

I laughed out loud when I realized Uncle Howard arrived with his camo Santa hat and no one even said anything or thought it anything other than normal.  I didn't even realize it until halfway though the afternoon.  Just a typical day for our family.

Uncle Howard, Selah Grace, and Mama

Always a roll on the floor kind of laughter when it comes time to open gifts.  We pretty much all look for just the perfect gifts for our crazy crew.  Makes for a super fun and FUNNY Christmas!

Always excited for a "pwesent"

Trying to understand that Selah Grace got gifts too...not just Millie Janalee. Ha!

Stud Baby

Yep.  Redneck plunger.

Smith's bulldog pants.  He was so enthused. Ha!

Perfect fit for Hughes!

I've said it before and I'll say it again.  I love being around family who are who they are.  No apologies.  No best behavior.  No filters either.  Ha!  I know they will do anything they can for me when I need it and vice versa.  Always so thankful for family that really is family!  And lots of fun too!

Hugs from Millie Janalee

Jack playing with the girls

Buck - the human airplane flyer.

There's just something to be said for a day full of smiles.  Genuine smiles and laughter.  It does a body good.  It does a family good!

It's even more fun watching these second cousins grow up just as we all did years ago.  We attempted to reenact some photo opps like Nonnie used to do.  I would call it semi-successful.  Bottom line.  We got the picture.  Ha!

"Hey Pawpaw!"

Not sure about the big rocking chair.

Same chair all us grandkids had our pictures taken in.

I'm pretty sure Nonnie and Pops would be proud.  They raised us right.  And we are trying to keep it going.

Russ's Family Christmas

A few days after Christmas, we were able to celebrate with Russ's side of the family.  We missed our traditional Christmas Eve celebration, but Russ and I also enjoyed a less rushed Christmas.  Usually, we are rushing around getting ready for the Christmas Eve service shortly after we open gifts.  So it was nice to relax and spend the day visiting with the family.

Millie Janalee and Granmomma looking through photo albums

As always, there is never a shortage of help with our babies!  Everyone waiting their turn for the baby while the younger "older cousins" play tea party and who knows what else with the toddler.

Julie and Smith

Me, Grace, Jenny, and Smith

Seth loves his sweet baby cousin too!

Leah entertaining Millie Janalee...or vice versa.  Hehe!

We enjoyed spending time visiting while the kids played.  Then it was time for lunch.  Olivia was in town from college, so she enjoyed a little nap too.  I'm not sure how she did that with all the littles running around.

Russ's dad and Olivia

Clay and Roan

Jimmy and Russ - brothers

After eating, everyone began to gather in the sunroom for gifts.  The kids always enjoy passing the gift around.  Millie Janalee basically just got them all mixed back up, but she had a blast doing so.

Learning the ropes

Jenny, me, Millie Janalee, and Leah

Roan helping to corral a sleepy Millie Janalee

The hubs and me

Because there are so many of us (10 grandkids), the children open gifts first while the adults man the clean up and keep up with who gave who what gifts.  In an attempt to thank the correct family member.  That doesn't always go as planned, but we get an A for effort!

The gift of the night! Handmade Anna and Elsa dolls from Julie!

Loving her Madeline book from Aunt Roan!

The older girls are so sweet to help Millie Janalee in the midst of their own excitement over new gifts.  And there is excitement!  The girls are always so animated and fun to watch as they open their gifts.  Always grateful for anything they receive.

Julie helping Millie Janalee

And the adults are sitting back watching the chaos.  Some more tired than others...

Roan and Jimmy

Russ catching all the action

Finally, we move all the little people out of the sunroom with all their gifts.  They spent the rest of the day and night playing with their new gifts.  And we opened the adult gifts!  And of course, I don't have any pictures of adults.  Ha!  I'm slipping as my family grows.  I do, however, have this one random picture of Russ opening a gift card of some kind.  He looks happy.

Smith wasn't  really sure what he had gotten himself into.  But I think he'll grow to love it!  In fact, he will probably be the most active one next year.  For sure!

Smith and Aunt Jenny

So thankful for close family and fun memories!