Dinner and a Movie - Family Style.

My sister and Hallie came for a post Christmas visit.  As usual, we made the most of every moment.  One evening we decided to go out for dinner and a movie.  We went to the Albertson's Marketplace for dinner.  Everyone got to enjoy whatever they wanted.  I probably just need to stop taking group selfies, but it likely won't happen.

Our intent was to watch the movie Knives Out at the Village after dinner.  We went over there and had about 30 minutes to burn, so we took a bunch of family pictures.  As it turns out the movie was sold out, so we raced over to Majestic Cinemas and caught a later showing.  It was such a fun evening goofing off with family.

My sister and I had a Yahtzee marathon.  One of the games, I rolled a Yahtzee with 'ones', which is so satisfying!

A few turns later, I rolled a second Yahtzee within the same game.  My sister was not too happy with me after that.

Steph and I took the girls out for a bit of after Christmas shopping.  Of course, no shopping trip is complete without a trip to Starbucks.  We indulged ourselves in the Starbucks photo booth while we were there.

Mommy Money.

Sidney decided to do a bit of an advent countdown for me this year.  One of the very best gifts came early in December - Mommy Money - no expiration until January 1st.

Mom Made Us Do It.

These girls are seriously adorable.  They decided to buy matching sweatshirts.  Like any good mother, I insisted that they take pictures together.  Much to their chagrin, they did oblige me.

At the last minute, my mom jumped in for a few!

Christmas and the Puzzlers!

Christmas was certainly different this year.  Terrell went to Montana and my parents were here to celebrate with us this year.  It was different, yes, but wonderful too!

There were a number of very special girts, but here are a few that I will share.  Aunt Lisa must have spent the entire year looking for the absolute perfect gift for each of us.  She gifted Kendall this awesome shirt (on so many levels).  Rock on Sir-Mix-A-Lot-ish!

Uncle Roy sent Bailey a few deer antlers to chew on.  Best gift ever!

Sidney's gifts were appropriately horse themed.  It is a good thing that we live on a small lot, or she would have us running a farm!

Clearly I am not a skilled selfie taker.  Here we are beginning our Christmas Eve bingo tradition.  

Cody was not here to call the numbers, so Kendall took over the duty.  She did awesome!

Kendall pulled out one of our brand new puzzles.  Despite all of our efforts to keep pieces off the floor, Bailey managed to nab one.  As he started his lip smacking, my mom and I reached in to discover a half chewed puzzle piece.

We opted to finish the puzzle anyways.  Everyone chipped in, and we were done in record time.  I had no idea that my parents were die hard puzzlers, hmm!

The Big '7-0'.

My Dad, what can I say?  He is amazing, and he turned 70 this past weekend.  He asked for lemon meringue pie for his birthday.  Who even likes lemon meringue pie anyways?

He forgot his glasses, so Sidney had to read his cards to him, Ha Ha!

Note that half the lemon meringue pie is missing in this picture.  Also note that my Dad was the only one eating the pie.  Full disclosure, I believe the girls each took a tiny sliver just to try it.

Baking with Friends.

The Nelson's had us over for a baking day.  On our way over there, I looked over at Kendall and marveled at how grown up she looked with her beanie, coffee cup and book.  She really is a good kid!

One of the projects was either gingerbread houses or gingerbread men.  The girls are always so annoyed with me when I insist they put their houses together with hot glue, so Sidney JUMPED at the opportunity to do it with icing.  She wanted a fully edible house.  We could not believe her tenacity when everyone else gave up and decided to make cookie postcards out of their gingerbread walls.

These two girls (really all three of them) have been friends since the beginning.  They have stood by each other through some crazy life changes. 

Rebecca would probably shoot me for posting this picture, but I cannot help myself.  She too has had a life changing year.  It was good to see her working through it. 

Eli was my partner in crime.  We stuck to the chex mix and biscotti. 

Sidney with her finished house.  She is literally trying to take a bite of the roof!

An Early Celebration.

Terrell decided to leave us this Christmas.  I am pretty sure we will never forgive her!  Just kidding.  She is traveling to Montana this Christmas.  We are super sad to see her go, but I do know that she will have a great time.  We had an early Christmas dinner before she left.  No Lutefisk (YES!), but we did get to enjoy potato sausage and all the trimmings.

Terrell got my mom a rolling pin.  Can you believe she did not have one?  She had this crazy dowel that did not seem to do the job.

Kendall received this amazing sweatshirt that she had been keeping her eye on.  "Heaven needed a Hero.  God Picked My Dad."  Love it!

Holiday Spirit!

BAKING and more baking.  It has been our theme this holiday season.  It started with me sending a text to Terrell saying that I would like my favorite cookie added to her baking list.  Within seconds, she texted me back a picture, "You mean these ones?"  Yes, I am spoiled.

We have had a baking day at our house (or two) and a couple of baking days at Terrell's

My mom thought no one would notice her sneaking a bite...sure!

This is how my Dad helps on baking day...rather than baking, he is the dedicated sampler!

The dogs even reaped the rewards of our baking spirit!

Bailey could hardly wait!  I half expected him to put his paws on the counter.  Thank goodness he did not!

The girls made their annual gingerbread (graham cracker) houses.  They went pretty elaborate this year!

Baking day at Terrell's was filled with a ton of sampling.  I am pretty sure no one ate dinner this night!