holiday card 2017

cooking school

the kids returned once again (last time there were here was over spring break) for cooking school - this time the menu was italian: homemade pasta, meatballs & sauce, green beans,  and biscotti.  they all thoroughly enjoyed it.  they were in the older class bracket (age 13-17) - but shhhh - don't tell them that little sister is only 11! ;-)

santa found us!

merry christmas morning!!

christmas eve

as is our tradition, the kids got to open one gift on christmas eve.

pAjAmAs!!!

no kids allowed

tonight was daddy's company holiday party, which we have not been to in 4 years - and this is the first time going that we did not need a babysitter.  in fact, i don't think the girls noticed much that we were even gone.  (their phone and tv babysit them just fine, when we are home or gone...)  it was fun dressing up, and breaking out daddy's suit and christmas tie, too!

 tonight

 2013

winter symphonic concert

big sister's symphonic band played their winter concert for us tonight.  they played three pieces and did very well.

first up:  nutcracker petite suite

second: lexington march

and for the finale: the chipmunk song

our holiday lights

to put lights up....or to not put lights up......that was the question.  since we will be away from home for christmas this year, does that mean we do not put up christmas lights outside??  of course not!!  there are plenty of days in the month to enjoy the lights.  it is work, but totally worth it in the end...

family time

moms, dads, cousins, grandparents, siblings...you name it - we had every combination.  everyone really enjoyed our week in oklahoma at the lake cabin.  lots of playing, golf-cart driving, sparklers, and food-food-food.  we are truly blessed to have such wonderful family and the time to spend with them.

on the last day before we left, we got together for some family photos.

a rare treat that we will treasure always.

will brake for turkey

ready of not, here we come!  off to oklahoma for our week of thanksgiving!

busy saturday

another craft project this saturday - snowman slime ornaments!

then off to a friend of little sister's birthday party for some rock climbing....

beginner band premiere concert

little sister's beginner band showcased how much they have learned over the past few months of school.  she was so excited to have been chosen for a solo on the xylophone.

happy halloween!

the rain earlier in the afternoon cleared, and we enjoyed a chilly halloween night in the mid 50's.  big sister was appropriately warm in her hogwarts robe & gryffindor scarf.  say hello to our harry potter!

little sister teamed up with a friend, and i made them matching costumes.  she had to layer clothes under it to keep warm.

presenting: thing 1 & thing 2!!

 big sister met up with one of her friends, and we did our usual walk around our neighborhood, which took about 1.5 hours.  trick or treat!!!