our annual card

this year's card was a no-brainer to feature photos from our epic hawaii trip in june.  i included some fun highlights from the year on the back of the card.

first scrimmage

we are having some beautiful, springlike weather after some brutal cold last week - so it was easy to go watch little sister and the jv team play in a noon scrimmage match today.  they came away with the win 3-0.  little sister played the first ten minutes of the two 35-minute halves.  i'm so glad she still enjoys playing this sport.

soccer pics

picture day!!

family christmas

the original plan was to take two cars (grandma's and the truck) down to sa for the holidays - thursday thru monday.  but mother nature had other ideas.  daddy stayed back a few days until saturday, to keep watch over the house and the pipes during some brutally cold weather, with temps in the teens for extended time - while we ladies piled into grandma's car to stay on schedule.

we were happy to reunite with family and as usual - there was tons of food.  the christmas morning brunch spread was so yummy!

merry christmas!!

instead of a traditional gift exchange, we decided to play the christmas cup game.  the girls could hardly wait to see what was under all those cups!

christmas dinner was the full spread of holiday favorites. 

of course, we were thinking about and missing my daddy, but we know he was watching down over us and proud that we are working to continue with our family traditions.

christmas cookies

a sweet friend of mine from junior high reached out to order one dozen christmas cookies - her only request being that they be red, green, white, & gold.  unable to narrow down the theme further, i decided to make a "sampler" set with twelve separate designs.  of course, to make the most efficient use of my time, i made THREE dozen, so i would have my own two dozen to share with family & friends.  most of the cutters i have had for a long time.

it was fun adding gold accents.  i think my favorites are the gold star, gingerbread man, and the candy cane pattern on the gift.

last day

after ~5 months, little sister resigned her scooper/shift lead job and her last day was today.  when you depend on tips and realize not many people go out for ice cream in the winter......you just have to know when your time is worth more.  she will be able to devote her time this spring to refereeing, and her manager said she could come back to work this summer if she wanted.  so, for now, no more unlimited ice cream samples in my freezer!! ;-(

cookie time

i hosted my 8th annual cookie bake n take today, and we sure did end up with tons of yummy treats.  i think the biggest hit was staci's molasses cookies.

i think the crispy course sugar on the outside made them scrumptious!!

my mini gingerbread cutouts were a hit, too!

 

party time

we haven't gone to many christmas parties hosted by work, but when we do, we like to take a photo!  can you call it a tradition if it only happens every once in a while?!?

twinkly lights

 even though it is a lot of work, i am so thankful to see the beautiful lights on the house every year.  next year, we always say, we will pay someone to do it. we'll have to just wait and see......