life lately {scenes from a road trip part 2}...

Today is the day we arrive in Denver, and put our arms around our daughter. It's been almost a year. I'm so thankful we were able to visit last September, and I'm thankful now that we could take a {very careful} leap of faith and continue this road trip...

1. The plan? Head straight to CO. But once in a while...
you make room for something completely off the plan,
which is how we ended up in Wamego, KS, home of the Oz Museum. 

2. It made me grin to see this great green museum nestled into the very quaint Main Street.

3. While we waited for the museum to open, we wandered the town, found coffee
and Toto statues, and...

4. the Yellow Brick Road! Just a path from Main Street to the park, but if felt magical.
And...I made Eric walk much farther than he wanted to.

5. I expected the museum to be rinky-dink, but it was beautiful and so well done.
What a treasure we found off the beaten path!

6. You can even sit and watch the movie
{unless you have to finish your drive to CO!}

7. The Tin Man in the gift shop was just calling for a photo...

8. Just steps down the road, we visited the winery.
If you're on vacation, it is okay to do a wine tasting at 10:30am. 

9. And lunch! Toto's TacOZ. 

We had the full Wamego/Oz experience {or as much as we could in two hours} and we enjoyed the stop so much! Sometimes you have to make the quirky road stop... but the next stop? 

life lately {scenes from a road trip part 1}...

On the eve of July, we headed out on our long awaited road trip... armed with masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, Norwex cleaning cloths, and a cooler full of food. This was all just for travelling... never mind the rest of what was packed {Laura's too big to ship possessions} into the car. Our plan was to bee-line it to Denver, just to get to her, and the extra day off in the weekend. 

1. Ready to go... out of office email up and on my shirt! 

2. In all the cleaning out, I came across this state trivia learning
tool, and figured it was now or never! So with each state we passed
through, we learned a little something.

3. We ate lunch on the road, but we love this fancy Chik-fil-a,
and stopped for dinner {& gas next door.}  This year, it was just drive-thru.
We stopped for the night a little bit up the road, and learned...
 that hotel breakfasts are just grab & go now. 

4. Driving through Tennessee I tried to capture the COVID
messages on the electronic signs... just for the sake of posterity.

5. Picnic lunch and stretching our legs at the Kentucky rest stop.
Laura's Beanie Baby cat was along for the ride...

6. On into Illinois!

7. Driving through St. Louis.

8. Doesn't everyone carry their toll money in a taco?
Funny that I packed all of this change and most tolls were pay by plate...

9. We drove almost 15 hours the second day... the sun was shining and the roads were clear.
And, bonus that the day grew longer as we headed west. Double bonus for
Cooper's Hawk take-out in Kansas City!
{that makes this our 10th CH!}

Thank you, COVID, for not stealing this trip from us.
I needed it more than I knew...

life lately {the june 2020 edition}...

June. Summer. 
Did it feel any different? Yes. And... no.

The world was starting to open back up, and with some trepidation we started making decisions about where we might go, should we actually go, and if we did, was it a good idea? And what about our planned vacation?

My boss announced that our office was going to reopen, and we would each go back two days a week. The thought felt insurmountable in my mind, but before I could think too much about it, my boss changed her mind. There is a reminder for you. Don't let worry steal your joy, because the thing you are most worried about may not even pan out, and you can never get that time back. 

1. We actually ate in a restaurant. Our favorite. 

And we were very impressed by their safety procedures.

2. The zoo opened back up with a one way path...

3. Morning walks, beautiful skies.

4. We explored a little coffee shop on one of our treks to Home Depot...
have you ever seen a more lovely cup of tea?!

5. Hearts on the boardwalk... we missed our walks while it was closed. 

6. The kids can't come to a Do the Right Thing award ceremony,
so my husband figured out a way to bring it to right to their driveway...

7. June means the Poincianas are in bloom...

8. Writing the Word... and loving the learning.

9. Thankful to be {still} working from home, but missing my office Roomie...

And maybe the best thing about June was... deciding that we would take our planned road trip to see Laura. And I think... had we not gone... I wouldn't have felt so okay with 2020.

life lately {the may 2020 edition}...

The page turn from April to May was heavy, and while staying home was just fine with me, the weight and reality of the situation had certainly set in on my heart. Are we really wearing masks? When will ever dine out again? Do we get together to celebrate a birthday? How long do you think we'll be working from home? Should we still plan our summer trip? 

1. May has never been so still... ever. 

2. This deserves it's own post... but Eric dreamed up our pop-up ice cream store,
and we took our show on the road, and spread a little joy.

3. After hundreds of texts we decided we could safely celebrate his birthday -
and realized that blowing out the candles is no longer acceptable...
unless you have your own personal birthday dessert.
We had a good laugh over that, and my nephew still
had his chance to make a wish.

4. We were invited to a new hiking trail, and caught up with Brenda,
who worked with Cam on his Eagle Scout project.
The scenery was beautiful, and the hike was great...
but the best part was Camden hearing Brenda's advice
{which was the same as mine, but who listens to Mom?}

5. I painted my kitchen cabinets! Yes, I really did.
I was cringing the whole time, afraid I was ruining them... but I LOVE THEM!

6. We may not be dining out, but we can still pick up from our favorite place.
And... it just makes me smile when some of your favorite people
are thinking about you and saving a few corks for your wine wall!

7. Walk, walk, walk... sometimes fast, sometimes slow... 

8. Another project I've been dreaming about -
a wood valance for my dining room, and I LOVE IT!

9. Working from home is the new thing, and perhaps Scout doesn't love
me taking over her window seat. Somehow we are making it work. 

Hitting the two month mark was surreal... and even more so as it became apparent we would still be counting. But we soldiered on, holding the anxiety at bay as best we could...

life lately... {the april 2020 edition}

 I wasn't going to go back, but then I thought it might be a good challenge... to see if I could actually find nine pictures from April. So here is April... not necessarily in order. 

1. homemade margaritas... because we're home. and we have time.

2. this pretty weed was enjoying a little sun flare 

on our safari road walk...seek the beauty!

3. i painted the livingroom |
(and then the piano room, and the bathroom, and the front door...)
and put up some photos of place we love.
the qualifier? had to have a brilliant blue sky. 

4. when your quarantine friends set up a beautiful dining area by the pool, under the lights...
for your monthly Cooper's Hawk wine dinner.

5. palm sunday... i wanted to be festive and cut a few palms
for the online service. and... scout ate them.

6. how did i never notice the heart shaped marking on this neighborhood tree?

7. easter... we tried to zoom our favorite game with my parents...
it was a good for a laugh, at least!

8. my massachusetts kim was moved from her comfy OR to ICU...
the work was difficult, and heart heavy. super hero?
she says no... but i think she made some heroic choices, with love. 

9. it hit me hard when the hand-drawn copy paper arrows
were all of a sudden more permanent. 

Oh April... we made it through, day by day. 

life lately {the march 2020 edition}

March feels like it was a lifetime ago... but in reality, it's only not been March for 43 days, despite reports that April lasted five years. We had some fun, and life took an unprecedented turn. And still... we had fun, making it where we could.

1. Jenn joined the 50 club with Eric, and after months of wondering how to celebrate,
she chose an elegant dinner party. It was a such a beautiful celebration,
and we were honored to help plan and execute the party. A night to remember!

2. I had all but forgotten we took a little road trip the first weekend in March...
and here I am, jokingly showing off my soapy hands at Disney Springs. 

3. The actual destination of our get-away was Wild Florida,
where Eric has been wanting to visit for years. The timing was right, and our
adventure even included an airboat ride!

4. One week later we were shopping for some food, just in case...

5. And decided to brave it all and go to the county fair
the one night it was open, to show our support.

6. I've been working from home since March 17th.

7. A little takeout from our favorite craft beer place. It's such a fun place for us,
and we hope to be able to support it any way we can!
For now, it's growlers and an extravagant tip.

8. Cam had a job interview, and he has waved goodbye to Target
and is working for our county in the water lab. 

9. Oh the walks... everyday after working remotely we needed to get out and breathe.
Jenn & I walked miles and miles until they had to finally close the trail.
The neighborhood streets just don't compare. 

life lately...late.

Last week was busy... well, work was busy, which exhausted me. After work I was just busy recovering. I started this post, but never got back to it. Some weeks are like that...

1. A walk on the trail... I'm always looking for the red lichen!

2. Eric & my sister... enjoying food from our favorite food truck {Sweet Cheesus} at Zoobilee.
I had a bite, but that was long enough to be off the dance floor. 

3. This lavender trumpet, complete with a heart shaped leaf, caught my eye as I walked by.

4. Stained glass lights on the carpet... one of my favorite things. 

5. I finally have a few more pictures of Laura...this one really makes me smile.
Outdoors, in her element, new city behind her. 

6. I talked Eric into going to a soft opening of this new place.
He grumbled about how it would be crowded and we'd have to wait and... on and on.
He couldn't resist me though, so we went and... the wait was an hour.
Lucky him, he is married to a star bar stool sighter! We were eating in no time!

7. February wine tasting. Wine is better than bowling...

8. Clearance Valentine candy - I wish I could resist, but on this day I could not.

9. Another trip to the farm to pick strawberries and sunflowers. 

So there we go... another quick catch-up on this life I love.

life lately...

The words having been coming and going over the last few weeks. They swirl up in my mind and start to form a story, and my procrastination sends them packing. For someone who has decided to make this year more creative, this brings a little disappointment in myself. But then the reminder comes... grace not perfection. And, of course, today is a new day.

1. Over the last couple of years whenever we see someone fishing, I tell Eric
I have never caught a fish!
Last October he bought me a little pink fishing rod, but we had no luck.
We decided to try again on a recent Saturday, and on my first cast,
that little pink fishing rod went flying right into the pond. Oops.
But then... I caught a fish! It was pretty exciting!
And now I need a new to find something new to "complain" about!

2. Laura had her 26th birthday mid-month, and though we were not together,
our gifts to her arrived on time! We were thrilled that she had a night out with friends,
and then treated herself to a day at a museum to see the Pixar exhibit she had been excited to see.
I'd post a better photo, but... this is all I have!

3. This month has had me stalling.
It seems the consensus is that January has been dragging on,
but for me, it has been blur. I finally had to make a plan
and get myself back on track to win the last ten days...
and so far I am definitely I AM! 

4. & 5. The weather has been glorious... cool days and warm sunshine!
We took a trip to our favorite farm and admired the sunflowers, and picked
three baskets of strawberries. Maybe we'll get another trip in while the berries are deep red.

6. Do you save your Christmas cards?
I cannot toss them... those precious photos are just a blink of time.
I'm almost done organizing them on metal rings
so I can flip through them from year to year.

7. My office mate is the best! What a welcome to the weekend!

8. Last year the Sunshine State steak cook-off lacked the sun and soaked us.
But this year there was no shortage of sun or steak or fun with friends!

9. We got a walk in last night... down safari road and to the boardwalk. 

It's never the same, but always beautiful... and typically just what I need. 

life lately... the christmas edition

If December is my favorite {and it is}, Christmas is the cherry on top of the most delicious sundae, making it picture perfect. I worked hard to be prepared for the season... wanting to leave time to just enjoy the beauty. Laura's gifts were off to Colorado in plenty of time, and I finished up my shopping at the gift card kiosk at the grocery store. I was just about ready for Christmas when I felt the first signs of bronchitis in my chest - I just had a little baking I wanted to do. I was finally ready to try my hand at some gluten-free cookies for the one I love. I pushed myself until I couldn't... and then slept through the three days before Christmas Eve. But there was no way I was missing out on the most fun day of the entire year - I would rise to the occasion! 1. Christmas enrichment for the animals at the zoo! I love this time of year! 

At one point I mentioned to my boss that sometimes companies come to
volunteer at the zoo - and she loved the idea so much
that we turned it into our Christmas party.
I loved sharing my zoo job {and my Mom!} with my co-workers!

2. I made the gluten-free gingerbread cookies the Monday before Christmas,
and finally decorated them the day after. I was pleased with the taste and texture -
and Eric was thrilled! A few days later I attempted a thumbprint cookie and it was delicious!

3. This little guy hawks his newspaper every December, faithfully. He is one of my favorite
 Village People... reminding me of Newsies. The Christmas village brings me so much joy...

4. He sang A Soldier's King in church. His voice goes straight to my heart.

5. The tree! We purchased a new one in October, I set it up to check the lights...
and I've been enjoying it ever since. It might come down this weekend...
but I'm not making any promises.

6. Christmas Eve! I made it and the day was full of fun and laughter.
We waited for Camden to finish work before we started the saran wrap ball -
but that may have been a mistake! He really got lucky and every time it was his turn
he seemed to unroll a few layers, while some of us couldn't even find an end...

7. It is perhaps my favorite gift.
Eric loves to find something special for the three of us -
and these ice cream cone blankets are as soft as they are adorable.
Cozied up with my Mom & sister made the moment perfect. 

8. Christmas Legos. May there never be a Christmas without them...

9. Laura stayed in Colorado for the holidays, and while I missed her being here,
I was thankful she was invited to Eric's cousin's house.
She had a blast, and Erica sent me some photos during the day.
That smile on her face made it all okay for me. 

I hope your holidays were magical and full of light!

life lately...

I spent most of Christmas week like this...

in the recliner, wrapped up in my new, softest-ever ice cream blanket. But, once the bronchitis subsided, and I was left with just the cough {why, oh why does it last so long?!}, we made time for a few adventures.

1. I had really been thinking about embroidery for a while, and I finally began...

2. A walk down the trail, to enjoy the fresh air and get my lungs working.

3. The ballet! I had never seen the real Nutcracker, and now I have. The Moscow Ballet was beautiful!

4. Cam's birthday. Twenty-three. We celebrated with a trip to the food trucks, and he found a delicious birthday churro. 

5. Have you even been through a drive though convenience store? Now I have!

6. Cam & I... it was a beautiful day or mini golf.

7. I almost forgot this birthday gift from Suz... but now I am caught up and current. I have to write very small!

8. Back on the bike...

9. And back to running. It feels good to move!

life lately...the colorado edition

We are home from our adventure across the country, and my heart is full. Three and a half days of being reunited and seeing Laura's new world was pure joy... and I long to unpack some stories. For now, though, I offer a few glimpses of what was a wonderful, laughter-filled weekend.

1. Seeing where our girl is living was so nice... now I can picture her there when
we talk! And she was anxious to show me her little cup, picked up at the
Cherry Blossom Festival she went to.

2. The views from our walking tour were lovely... gardens and blue skies and public art.

3. I did this as often as I could... I plan to print this and put it
on the fridge where I can see her every day. 

4. Our food truck lunch was delicious and adventurous,
and we enjoyed it fountain-side at Union Station.
I tried Korean Barbecue for the first time!

5. When you see Swahili in Denver...

6. We passed these window boxes twice, and on my second trip by,
I had to touch them. Yep. Bottle caps!
{are they still considered window boxes if they are on a fence bordering a little street cafe?}

7. We climbed the steps to the top of the Red Rocks amphitheater...
you must have to be in great shape to see a concert there!

8. One of Laura's picks... visit a meadery. I almost said - let's skip it...
but Cam brought his Bees are freaking awesome shirt especially for this visit,
so I kept my mouth shut. It was a delicious decision!

9. Our last day... spent in Colorado Springs. Siamese Twins at Garden of the Gods.
Beauty in every direction. 

life lately...

It's the middle of the week and I'm feeling light... because I'm on vacation from work! I wanted to feel energized and happy walking out of the office yesterday, but all I really felt was exhausted, and maybe a little relieved to be able to tune out. It was a whirlwind kind of day, getting everything checked off the to-do list, and making sure I'll be able to dive right back in on Tuesday. But I made it! 
Here's a little bit of what else has been happening in my life!

1. A little Saturday fun with my husband... we headed down to cheer on the
fishing boats coming in for the Take A Soldier Fishing day.
They were late though and we had to some other place to be!
We did enjoy our walk though!

2. Friday nights = Marching band...
I love seeing my nephew march along with his bass drum!
He had to another ear surgery this week, and I've been praying him through recovery.
He's getting there!

3. I needed a round table... to play a game.
Camden & I found one at a yard sale and a little blue chalk paint spiffed it right up!

4. This kitty... she snuggled right in under my crochet hook.

5. Pumpkins & gourds galore! A coworker and her beau brought in tons to share
- and it's given me a little fall feeling.

6. We have been on the hunt for this peach Crown ever since we
heard they re-released it. It was an exciting find over the weekend!

7. I snuck over into a friend's yard to give her a little pumpkin surprise. It gave me so much joy!

8. These lights at a local restaurant also bring me joy! I just love their starry glow.

9. And these two make me laugh... especially on our wine tasting night.
I don't know if I think they are two of a kind or unlikely friends,
but I am certain it's a lifetime friendship.

life lately...

This week has us glued to the news, watching and waiting on news of Hurricane Dorian. Will she come our way? Or just drift north? It is always a big waiting game, filled with speculation and denial. After Irma, I'm paying a little more attention. 

So while we wait, here's a little bit of life lately...

1. Our anniversary guacamole... and the one I love. 

2. Our favorite place {where we didn't go for our anniversary dinner} celebrated us with this treat!

3. It's kind of his first car... the first time he got to choose, at least.
He said goodbye to the shared pickup {his sister's choice} and hello to this little car. 

4. It's always fun to find a new {delicious!} food truck!

5. My son loves Peeps... as long as they are Halloween ghosties!

6. A little glimpse of my palate on Zoo day!

7. Sometimes I think my gallery is a series of screenshots...
seemingly the only way I ever see the faces of my kids.
I love that she actually sent a photo of her face, because I miss it!

8. This sunset was glorious!

9. A project finished! I don't often get to say that. 

I am either setting it aside, or unraveling...

life lately... the unposted edition

I didn't take enough photos this week for a life lately, but I thought I'd look back at some memories from this past year... and I found a grid that I made to be posted, but never did. Go figure...

1. I do remember this well... I felt crummy and walked over to CVS to get some
cold remedies, and there was the after-Valentine's Day carts of candy.
I could have just rolled one of those carts right out, BUT I resisted. 

2. This winter/spring we racked up the miles on our bicycle-built-for-two!

3. Navy blue... it's a favorite!

4. I made this garland of circles and was instantly in love! I bought this tube of paper
circles at Michael's on clearance about 9 years ago. I know I would use them eventually!
The best thing was that when I thought of them, I could actually FIND them (oh my...)

5. I am still loving my Wednesdays at the zoo -
and my favorite is making this paper mache enrichment!

6. Oh the beauty of the patterns in nature...

7. We threw a Mardi Gras party this year and it was so much fun! 
I have a million more photos I could post...

8. I felt like I spent this winter/spring, stalking social media for sightings of Camden
 in South Africa...but on this day we actually got to talk to him LIVE and almost-in-person!
The connection was as great as the quality of this photo...

9. That watch represents 20 years of service with the Sheriff's Office for my husband.
Other than his continued safety, the thing I'm most thankful for is that he
has had the opportunity to learn many different aspects and jobs over the years...
all while working for the same employer!

Happy Wednesday!

life lately...

Happy Wednesday!
I love Wednesdays... I'm off from work, it's my play-day at the zoo, and I can regroup for the last two days of the week. The weekend doesn't seem too far off!

1. We were so thrilled to help out at a back to school event for foster kids!
It was really a well run, wonderful event. Each child received a new backpack filled
with school supplies, a school uniform, a new pair of shoes, and even a fresh haircut to
start the year off right! There was also a bus for health screening and if they needed glasses,
they got them. A great collaboration of nonprofits in our corner of the world.
There were also toys... Eric & I got to work the toy table!

2. Look at the proud {exhausted} Mama lion!
One of {her three} cubs snuggled right in and posed for this photo!

3. Just some Sam's Club roses...

4. We've had a couple of relaxing weekends, and they have been blissful...

5. Cousins! We love when Texas family is in town.
We all had a great visit, and it was fun capturing these four.
Yes, four! Laura was skype-ing in!

6. Summer birthdays... and have you met Nothing bundt Cakes?
They are delicious. And that little one?
It's gluten-free... so yes, Eric is happy.

7. Eric is started at his new school yesterday and he's now keeping the Bullfrogs safe.
His office is decorate appropriately... courtesy of his personal crafter. 

8. Paper cranes from Denver. Be still my heart. 

9. BINGO! After months and months of playing Bingo at the brewery, I won!
It was very exciting... and I probably scared some people with how excited I was!

life lately...

Beginning again means that I have current stories to tell, and memories to share. Here's to last week...

1. Eric turned 50. How's that for a BIG deal?! 

We celebrated with red, white, & blue, and the man on the moon. 

His parents remember watching the moon landing while they were 

in the hospital with their newborn son!

2. A little corn-hole game between my son & I. He won. 

3. Cheers to saying YES! We really didn't have other plans anyway, 

so we drove MILES to the 5th (?) closest Cooper's Hawk for dinner and a wine tasting. 

4. Have you been to Nothing Bundt Cakes? 

They are delicious and we are hooked. 

5. Laughing is my favorite... and when it's with HIM, it's my extra favorite. 

6. I think I like a flight of ice cream better than a flight of wine... 

this was perfect for sharing!

7. This arrangement made me smile.

8. This young woman also made me smile.
She was in our first youth group way back when, and her kids are just about
the age ours were when we took that on. She made us a delicious lunch,
we visited with her family, and it was a beautiful couple of hours!

9. I've been seeking the summer sun...and have had some opportunity to bask in it!

life lately...

Just one day late... but it was a busy week with lots of fun!

1. Fun at the zoo day... we're making a second huge paper mache ball. 

The smell of it reminds me of my Miss Piggy paper mache mask in 4th grade.

2. Blue sky. Is there a more beautiful blue? I don't think so.

3. Zoo lights... more fun at the zoo for Zoobilee! Our great night even included dancing!

4. Writing down our Saturday morning sightings.

5. Opa! I love when this guy shows up! It means Greek festival and baklava.

6. For our Valentine's celebration we went to a painting party.
Ours turned out pretty good!

7. Soup & salad... it's what was for dinner!

8. There's something about the way the evening sun makes the trees glitter gold after a rainstorm.

9. This kitty... she is the only way I can get my kids to text me back,
so I try to catch her looking cute for them!

life lately...

Happy Wednesday!
I thought it might need to be a second "short" version week... but it turned out that I had captured just enough fun this week!

1. Saturday we had a 2-for-1 walk.
We walked the Corkscrew Swamp boardwalk and then
couldn't help ourselves... we traveled safari road for a short add-on.
This leaf just caught my eye... after the rain.

2. Bingo at the brewery. I love/hate it. I don't ever win, but I get SO CLOSE!

3. Did you have SUPER SuperBowl snacks? Our friend outdid himself!

4. Great is my Faithfulness.
We are getting back into our Sunday routine and I have need it!

5. A walk around our block...snow?! I'm sure it's just bubbles.
It's been cool here, but certainly never cool enough for snow!

6. Traffic was tough on my way home from picking up Laura...

7. I knew exactly where these came from (extra from his Do the Right Thing ceremony!)
but any day someone brings you flowers is a great day! And they came with no less love...

8. A couple of laps around the arena before the game started got me where I needed to be!

9. Catching a glimpse of my son, who is half-way around the world,
is always a GREAT way to begin my day. I think he looks happy!

And now... I'm off to the zoo!

life lately... the short edition

When I scroll back through the photos on my phone, I am often surprised...at what is there, and what isn't. Sometimes it is a glimpse of a few days ago, and I've already forgotten the moment. Or... I wonder where the last week has gone, and why I haven't captured anything. And so we have... the short edition...

1. I saw these over the weekend in Target. I've been dreaming about them ever since.
I love the dark toasty burnt ones the very best... I did not buy them, and won't.
Because one sitting and I'd be on the hunt for a second box. 

2. Sometimes you have to bend and look from a different perspective.
This is a favorite from the weekend walk.

3. I am not a neat painter... especially at the zoo.
But these layers of color and the how it happened made me smile. 

4. This ray of sunshine is still blooming
and giving us a glimpse of brightness, even under a gray sky.
And the quote? It's a favorite.

...and I'm hoping this lack of beautiful moments will remind me to work harder to see the beauty in the daily ordinary, and choose to snap the shutter and save it.

life lately... the christmas edition

Today I'm skipping back a few weeks to Christmas, and the season around it. I haven't done too much about the rest of the decorations... they are still providing some festive atmosphere! And before I tuck them away, I thought I'd revisit some of the beauty {and the crazy!}

1. On a rainy Saturday in Iowa, we went to the Amana Colonies
and found refuge from the storm in a barn full of beautiful Christmas trees!

2. Every year, our zoo puts on "Winterfest" and the animals all get special
Christmas enrichment. This year  we painted many special boxes and paper mache
balls for the animals to receive their treats in!

3. Our favorite hockey night... Teddy Bear Toss! Almost the whole family went this year.

4. Our friends treated us to a Christmas concert as a thank you.
See that guy in the background? Paul Todd. He is an amazing musician with the
most unique hair I've ever seen. It was a night of laughter, singing and jazz hands. 

5. Shop-With-A-Cop is probably his favorite event of the year... and extra special
because he has the opportunity to choose several children from
his elementary school to participate.
It's bound to be a beautiful Christmas if there is a pink unicorn involved!

6. Oh my Suz... her annual Christmas party is always fun, and she lets me
be as silly as I want, with hardly any disapproving looks! 

7. Christmas Eve at Gramma and Grampa's house and the Great Saran Ball.
It takes us about an hour to unwrap it, and then trade around our special goodies
{like sardines, sharpies, and candy.} It's the most fun! 

8. My Mom never asks for anything for Christmas, but this year... she did have one request.
It took me some time to find it, but I was able to replace her favorite tee shirt.

9. Matching jammies and wiggling toes
under the twinkling lights on Christmas morning. 

It was a beautiful season.