does it get any better

last weekend was our annual candy exchange day

this year we added a little something to it

come wearing a holiday themed shirt

of course the uglier the better

everyone arrived by noon

we ate Heath's yummy homemade soup and subway sandwiches

decorated over 100 sugar cookies

exchanged our candies and goodies with each other

then headed out for a little bowling

there wasn't an official vote taken

but my pick for best holiday shirt winner was

Heath's bahhumbug sweater looking t-shirt for the boys 

and Brooke's snowman turtleneck shirt for the girls

now granted Hailey had the matching turtleneck but didn't keep hers on all day

  the cookie decorating is getting pretty competitive these days

Ricky topped Matt's decorating skills this year by making a 

quadruple decked candy cane sugar cookie covered in frosting

his new nickname is Buddy the Cookie Boss

Matt says he already has some ideas for next year and they include lights

 i haven't been bowling in years

and our whole family has never been all together

it was a good time

and I learned a few things

 i learned that my two older boys did not like not being good at bowling

there were a few tears 

after a few lessons from Heath and their uncles

then they were back to smiles again

and having fun

i learned that my mom totally kicks butt at bowling

strike after strike after strike

i learned that Ryan was just out to have a good time, he had no worries

 i learned that Tucker can throw the ball really far and crazy

crazy like skipping a whole lane and landing in the one next to that

i learned that we need four bowling lanes to fit us all

i learned that Kimberly makes a really heartbreaking sad face when she wants her momma

 what i already knew was

that even though we were full from soup, sandwiches and sugary treats

we still can eat more

and filled up on wings, nachos, drinks and beers

that we are a loud bunch

laughing and joking all day long

we find ourselves fairly funny

that we can have a good time no matter where we go

that we are extremely blessed to have each other

and to call them family