Shotguns and the Polar Express doing the Tim Tam slam...

Our girlie got asked to her High School Winter Dance. 

She had a great date and

their group did one of the coolest day date activities ever! 

They went shotgun shooting!

What a blast!!   ;)

Then they went to the dance.

After the dance they watched the movie, Polar Express, 

which was the theme of the dance.

How neat is that!

They also did Australian Tim Tam Slams in hot chocolate. 

Sounds like a "got to try it at least once" experience.  :)

Hunter missed out on the fun this time because 

he'd just had shoulder reconstruction surgery the day before. 

He was sad. 

The theme of the dance had been his idea 

and the boy LOVES group dates and dances.  

The kindest thing happened though, 

sweet, thoughtful friends came by to say "Hi" and wish him well. 

Some came bearing treats,

and balloons,

and in their suits and dresses.

Some texted encouraging words. 

Thanks everyone, for "bearing one another's burdens". 

He's a lucky man to have such good friends!

Thanksgiving with Alex and a thorough beating...

The Thanksgiving break was too short for our University attending nephew 

to make the long trip home so he came and celebrated with us instead - win win.

The twigs worked hard to get homework done so we could play

and play we did!  :)

We played Carcassonne till the cows came home. 

This guy beat us over and over and over. 

How did he do that? 

He didn't know - beginners luck he said?

My beautiful little blue-eyed Mother loved to play games too. 

She was clever and quick and thought it was good 

for kids to lose - pretty wise of her.

Here

Alex played the Mr.'s game with him too. 

Did you know the Mr. invented a game?

It's called Black Box +.

It's a hexagonal version of an old favorite game called Black Box

 that he played with his buddy, Brad, in High School. 

The Mr. contacted the original game inventor, Eric Solomon, years ago and told him 

about this hexagonal version. 

Mr. Solomon said it had been tried dozens of times 

but he would take a look at the Mr.'s idea. 

Next thing we knew it was in production and royalty checks started coming in. 

How neat is that?

This guy played lots of fetch when he wasn't watching us play games. 

I'm thankful for family and friends and furry creatures.

Especially I'm grateful for my God. 

God bless you all.

:)

A bridal shower for the perfect girl...

A few weeks ago our girlie and I were jazzed 
to be invited to a bridal shower for this precious girl.

Her name is Jessica and she is marrying our super cool nephew, Joe. 

We always knew the girl that won Joe's heart 
would be totally fantastic and Jessica is that girl, the perfect girl for Joe!!

One of our favorite parts of the shower was this little activity where Joe 

was asked questions about their relationship in advance.
Questions like: 
what was your first date,
when was your first kiss,
how did you propose,
what could Jessica not live without?

His responses were recorded and played for all to see. 

Jessica was asked what Joe's answer would be.
If she got it right she got a lindor chocolate, 
but if she got it wrong she got a great big chunk of hubba bubba. 
The chocolate she could save 
but the hubba bubba she had to eat all at once. 
Oh boy!!!

When Joe was asked what Jessica couldn't live without, 

he answered three things:

1. Heavenly Father

2. Cottage Cheese

3. Hopefully she'll say me    :)

She did say him!   Aaahhhh...

She giggled when she heard him say cottage cheese 

and admitted that she really does love cottage cheese - so cute.

One of the sweetest interactions I noticed was 

Jessica introducing her friend/roommate to Joe. 

She loves them both so dearly and was excited to have them meet each other.   :)

Congrats Joe and Jessica - we love you!!!

Christmas Village 2015 "North Carolina" Theme with help from the Full-time Elders, Alex, Joe, and Jessica :)

With our Zac on a mission teaching people about
Jesus Christ and His restored gospel
 in the Carolinas, 

we decided to make our Christmas Village theme "North Carolina" this year.

We had sandy beaches, blue water, a lighthouse, 

and the Wright Brothers airplane on the Outer Banks side. 

Moss and snow-dusted trees surrounded Chimney Rock on the other side of the village.

The missionaries serving in our area were able to drop by for a few minutes 

and make houses for the Village.
How neat is that!

They were from Fiji (Elder Koroibuica), Finland (Elder Sohkanen), and Florida (Elder Philips). 

Notice the awesome Finnish flag.

They had to leave before the village was all put together. 

I noticed later that someone made little missionaries, 

name badges and all, 

out of sour patch kids and placed them on the missionary's doorstep.   :)

Alex stayed with us for his college Thanksgiving break.

This was his first time helping to make the Christmas Village

and we were totally impressed by his imagination and speed!

Not only did he come up with the Outer Banks Lighthouse, 

but he also worked with Joe on the Wright Brothers Plane

and made the U.S. flag atop Chimney Rock.  

His two, experienced village-making sisters would be proud!

This was Joe's second year helping with the Village and he brought the best addition, Jessica! 

They're getting married in December and we couldn't be more thrilled!   :) 

She's totally a keeper! 

She's creative too - check out her fun licorice boat complete with life ring bumpers

and sour patch kids floating along in style.

Their house had a boat dock, a pumpkin patch, fishermen, an alligator, etc. etc. etc.

Our girlie's house won our hearts with her little tufts of moss on the roof tiles and sides. 

Her wreath bow was made of hot glue and then colored with a marker.   :)
Love all her frosty icicle touches and chimney smoke too.  

Hunter and Joe made cars with life savers for wheels so they really rolled.

Joe's 4-wheelin', hill climbing, graham cracker car

I loved Hunter's rooftop balcony with views of Chimney Rock.
That's his 3-wheeled car in the carport on the right.

Our dog loved Hunter's front door we believe, 

as it mysteriously disappeared last week 

but there are some teeth marks left on the sour candy sharks. 

The Mr. had a totally creative roof and a bright rock path into the sound.

I went for a wrap around porch and a house on stilts so we could be in the water.

Thanks everyone for the fun time
and Merry Christmas to Zac in the Carolinas!! 

Thanksgiving fun with the fam...

Scottie and April invited us to join them for an early Thanksgiving.

They invite us every year - they're so thoughtful! 
We don't often get to make the trip 
but it worked out this year and we had a blast with everyone!

Scottie took this little video of one of the games we played.   :)

When you feel your hand get squeezed, grab the ball before the other guy!

At the end of the evening, I remembered to snap a few pictures.

Notice anything funny about this picture?

How about this?

Let's get a closer look at the action in the foyer. 

    :)

Happy Thanksgiving 2015

A birthday boy...

Happy Birthday Hunter!!

This fun guy wanted a chocolate cake with chocolate chips inside 

and chocolate frosting for his birthday.

I was totally happy to oblige - yum!   :)

There's a scripture that reminds me of Hunter. It says...

"And now, my son, I trust that I shall have great joy in you, 

because of your steadiness and your faithfulness unto God; 

for as you have commenced in your youth to look to the Lord your God, 

even so I hope that you will continue in keeping the commandments; 

for blessed is he that endureth to the end. 

I say unto you, my son, that I have had great joy in thee already, 

because of thy faithfulness and thy diligence, 

and thy patience and long-suffering"

                                                                               -Alma 38:2-3

Thanks, buddy, for 18 years of joy! 

We love you!!!

Hunter's beloved missionary brother sent 

some birthday swag from South Carolina,

a Winthrop University hat

and some superman socks.

Hunter is crazy about wild socks!

Nice job, Zac   ;)

100th post...

I just noticed that we had our 100th blog post 

here at branches 'n' twigs. 

How crazy is that!

It's been a fun way to stay in touch with family and friends. 

I love reading your blogs & facebook posts, and seeing your instagram pictures! 

I'm a picture kind of gal and you do not disappoint.   :)

Thanks for dropping by once in a while.  

 

xoxo