Candy Cane Bread

A little cooperation, 

and a lot of hard work. 

It gives way to kneading dough at some point. 

And I can't even recall how many of these we made this season, but neighbors and family had no problem helping us find them homes. 

Christmas Day

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit just in time. 

Just in time to be put to work before the big day. 

And very early in the morning, we were summoned.  Elaine had already organized all gifts and assigned our seating for the morning. That helps when you haven't had  your first cup of coffee yet. 

And we were allowed to relax for a few moments before we began the real event of the day. 

Yes, the eating. 

But also the 13 people.

There was Pictionary.  For sure. 

Jack behaved, even if he insisted on being part of the pile of people and relaxing amidst the four team competition. 

And everyone was kind enough to pose for a group shot before heading out to their next destinations.  It is absolutely wonderful to be close to family again, after a long time apart. 

Merry Christmas!

Waiting is hard

The dog: Waiting for nothing in particular but looking quite festive due to his surroundings. 

Elaine: Bringing the surroundings to life while she waits. 

In ALL sorts of imaginative ways. 

Let The Holiday Tomfoolery Begin!

Dinner Guests

And so one December Tuesday evening we had surprise guests for dinner!

And we had a nice evening together with poker and Christmas gifts.  Because mailing the gifts seemed like a waste when you could just deliver them in person!

And it was over quickly but such a nice break in the week!

Gentlemen Please

While I am thankful you did it, fixing the flap on my car in your church clothes makes me cringe. 

I am unclear why I can't get an oil change without having the flap re-shut properly; this is the second time. 

Nick I won't even ask where your shoes are.  I gave up on that battle LONG ago. 

And then I find you here. 

Thank you for fixing the light over the stove, but it is greasy up there.  

So very greasy.

Styled

As we were walking to the car the other day after a haircut and style, which I exclaimed was beautiful, Alida said she didn't want to look like Dora the Explorer.  I asked who told her that?  "My head told me that is what I look like!"  But she admitted it was okay, and she didn't have the bangs, so it was alright. 

And then Benjamin walked in the room about 10 seconds after I snapped this photo, and called her Dora the Explorer.  She came back about 20 minutes later with her curls restored. 

Ben Cooks

With some time management skills, the boy is going to be a pretty good chef someday.  Here he is helping me make chicken and dumplings.  Cutting the vegetables may have taken about an hour. 

And here he is showing me how stirring the soup is a good core work out that can't be rushed. 

And then we had to take some amount of time to add salt.  Adding salt should not likely take long enough for your mother to grab the camera and take some photos....

He has very strategically chosen Friday evenings to help me cook because I  think he knows I at least get to sleep in the morning after our marathon sessions.  

But man--it was good. And spending time with this young man can be stretched as long he wants. 

We Did It!

The iPhone projector for my birthday was great!

It didn't have the actual pieces with it to work with the iPhone though. 

So they ordered the piece. 

But when the piece arrived, they discovered it was for an Android camera. 

So, they got in an actual car and went to an actual store. 

And, they did it!

And it is pretty fantastic. Now I can escape anywhere I like, and watch whatever I like, even if I have to hide in the closet to do so. 

Glasses, All Around

Introducing 4 Stuber kids wearing 4 sets of glasses. 

Sigh. Now we can't tell the girls apart again.

I'm not entirely sure when I handed tree decorating over to the kids. 

But it was the best decision ever. 

And with our new Christmas Tree onesies that the girls insisted upon, we were up and running for  some cheer around here.  They may have left everything else to me... 

Although they did suggest they could be the front door decorations. 

Thanksgiving Leftovers

They didn't last very long around here 

Determination

And when  Elaine decides, she will leave no room for further debate.  She determined and headed for the check out.  The nice folks did stop her and wondered if we would like the end trimmed perhaps?  Maybe we would like to see it out of the wrap?  She reluctantly handed it over. 

And then she took it the rest of the way once we were to the house.  

We did have to slow things down when she nearly took the television off the wall. 

No Alida Was Hurt During the Holiday Rush

The girls were a little excited to go looking for Christmas trees the other day.  So much so that Alida may have become tangled up and fallen over.  After hearing the laughter and 'I'm okay!', I had to snap a picture. 

Because it immediately reminded me of this shot from 2010.  

After Helping, You will Compete

Because we take Pictionary very seriously around here. 

Maybe not the dog so much. 

There will be moments, however, when time runs out, and we just have to explain our drawings. 

A Little Help

When you want a pumpkin pie, you are willing to help. 

And when you insist on deviled eggs in Grandma's deviled egg holder, you are willing to help. 

And when you are a guest, you better be willing to help with cooking classes. 

If you want the turkey served, you will cut it. 

Jack is very patiently attentive to every detail. 

And we can't think of a better way to spend time together than coming together to make it all happen. 

Happy 50!

You wear it very well. 

And you are very good at acting surprised at your gifts, even though you opened the package out of the mail when it arrived a few days earlier and quickly handed it over to wait for the actual day.

Flu Shots

Sisters can comfort one another. 

Mother needs a nap.

4 flu shot appointments

4 annual physicals 

2 eye exams

4 dentist appointments

82 pieces of paper to fill out for the new doctors

2 orthodontal appointments yet to make

Her own physical, her own flu shot, her own eye exam.  

I'll get around to the dentist at some point.

Sunrise in Virginia

Beautiful morning to make some coffee and watch.

Or a beautiful morning to take Nick on a hike to the crest of the mountain.  

Your choice.

Gangland

We managed to kick all four out at once near dusk the other day.  

It wasn't until later I noticed how very much dressed in all black all of my children were.  

They never venture out for long, so made it back before the sun fell thankfully.

Settling In

We took advantage of the boys in Washington DC with school and dad out hunting to make some updates  recently. 

So. Very. Yellow.

But it came together nicely in the end.  Elaine has her goldenrod accent wall.

And Alida went for a bank of curtains that added to her most desired rustic orange accent very nicely. 

The yellow is everywhere...