2016 Reflections

It has been a great year but one of growth.

My oldest graduated and that was only one of the highlights of the year.

I also got to do something on my travel bucket list- we rode bikes on the Hiawatha Trail.

 I had a Moving Adventure with my sister. I also got to crash a wedding.

 I saw my youngest march in his first parade.

We did lots of geocaching and activities with geocaching.

earth day clean up with other cachers 

It was a good year!

Goodbye 2016!

Sunrise/Sunset Round-Up

When I was going through my phone photos for the year, I noticed I really really loved taking photos of sunrises and sunsets. I complied my love in these Project Life pages.(Digital Version) So I bring to you, my love of mainly sunrises of the year. Because evidently I got that kind of time on my hands.

Day After Christmas Linky

Now that the Hub Bub of Christmas has died down, are you in need of new entertainment.

We're really bad at judging risks to kids. We/re really good at judging parents.

Pool Table Countertops - I love me some Victoria Elizabeth Barnes.  This idea is frankly genius.

31 Great Books for Students, Chosen by Students

You Said You Need This More Than Anything Else - If you need a spiritual read, read this.  It was meant as an advent read but it is a good read anytime.

Word Porn Quote
Graphic by Me

December Daily - Merry Christmas

On the last day we had snow on the ground,,I gathered the guys together to take this picture.  None of them are real big fans of picture taking. I am clearly the shortest person in the picture.  My boys are now 14 and 18. I am impressed we got a group picture to include in our Christmas Cards.

Merry Christmas

from our Family

to Yours!

December Daily - Santa's Sweatshop

Dec 23rd
My husband loves me.  I mean he REALLY loves me.  I came up with some last minute gifts I wanted to make (meaning I needed him to make).

 So my husband helped me make these lovely reclaimed pine flooring boxes and 3D Christmas Trees.

 I had seen pallet boxes at several craft shows but I kept telling myself my Husband could make me something better or something unique. The idea for the 3-D trees is from Pneumatic Addict. I love it when a plan comes together!

December Daily - Sugar Cookie Cutout Ritual

Dec 22nd

Decorating Sugar Cookies is definitely a thing we do at our house.  I love it when my Mom and Dad are visiting because it is definitely their thing. Both of them really get into it.  However, this year I was on my own.  I pre-made the cutouts .  I find that my kids have sugar cookie ADD.  They will decorate for about 5 minutes.  Baking and decorating in the same day is something I try to avoid. Sugar cookie decorating kinda stresses me out. 

This year I did decorating with my son's and the kid I babysit.  It was messy and fun.  I tried the chocolate powdered sugar frosting (Betty Crocker) for one of the colors.  It was quite good.  I think it might of been my babysitting kid's first time doing sugar cookies.  He was pretty darn excited. 

***loved this reflection on Christmas Rituals at Dinner: The Love Story- Doorways into Christmas

December Daily - Internship and Santa

December 21st

Today, Santa was at my son's internship.

Since the first weeks of school, my oldest has had an internship at a local bowling alley.  He does clean up and serves beverages.  The number one thing he wanted to do after High School was to work. He is working on getting job skills by doing this internship and taking some customer service classes. 

My oldest made an interesting observation about Santa's Elves - He explained he thought the elves had the worst job making toys  They don't get gifts only make gifts.