Festivus!

(12/11) I got to sleep in a little this Monday since my walking buddy was unavailable. I worked from home and the men had school and work. D is stressing big-time about tests he has this week. He doesn't think it's fair that he should have them in almost every subject. I get it, buddy!

(12/12) Today was a work and school day for all of us. I worked in the building and my coworker and I ran out first thing to use up all the donated money from work's toy drive. We piled up two carts' worth and then headed back to work for a few hours. I had a webinar until noon, but after I was done we drove our donations over to the YWCA to drop them off.

(12/13) I had the day off today and spent it doing not a whole lot. I read and finished a couple books and fixed Chinese food for the kids before they got home. We did our regular Wednesday trip to WinCo and spent a quiet evening at home.

(12/14) I worked from home today, the boys had school, and Dad had the day off. J came home with a huge haul of candy from an auction in class. He apparently drove the prices up and then bought everything for a dollar at the end. Clever! D survived his last test that he's been stressing about. Just one more quick day before break!

(12/15) The boys had an early release from school, Dad had the day off, and I worked from home. I had an HOA meeting to attend this evening. Since I'm half the board, it makes things quick and easy to decide!

(12/16) I planned to do all the things today and did approximately none of the things. I took a walk, read my book, and gardened instead. I finally put the last of the rose bushes to bed since it's been blooming this whole time, evidently not getting the memo that it's winter.

(12/17) I got a slow start to my day and enjoyed my book and coffee. I headed out to do some shopping this afternoon and think I have most of it done. Maybe? Hope so.

(12/18) I worked from home, Dad worked at work, and the lucky boys were home on break. Sarah and I tried to meet up to walk to the Bux this afternoon but it started pouring as soon as we left our houses so we walked around the block and called it good instead.

(12/19) I worked in the building today. The twins have been sleeping in and J thought that no one had taken care of the dogs when he finally got up and they scored a second breakfast. We're all off our routine! Work threw a lil happy hour this afternoon and chatting with everyone was a nice way to wrap up the day/year at the office.

(12/20) Ha! The twins have been sleeping in and then hanging out in their jammies for their entire vacation. D appeared fully dressed and ready to Wednesday at 9:30a. C decided to join D and I for our WinCo run and we cooked up a Chinese food feast as per usual.

(12/21) I worked from home today and Dad and the boys were off. Sarah and I went out for a walk during my lunch break instead of meeting at our regular early birdie time.

(12/22) I worked for a few hours this morning and then signed off to go to lunch with Nanan and the fam. We went to the Kyoto Steakhouse and had teppanyaki, which is a favorite for this crew! I had put off wrapping and had to do it tonight since we're getting down to the wire. Blahhhh. Packing and wrapping are two of my least favorite chores!

(12/23) Sarah and I went for a Starbucks walk this morning and then I came home to pack. After much drama, we got allll of our stuff loaded and ready to go. (How does it take so much stuff to live somewhere else for a few days?!) We convoyed over to Leavenworth with Jake's family this afternoon. C negotiated the pass really well and we all arrived in one piece. Our condo is beautiful! We got in and settled, made dinner, and then went to the grand's for dessert.

(12/24) Merry Christmas Eve! We had breakfast at the resort restaurant and then J and Dad hit the game room.  J blew through all his quarters and had a great time. We did lunch on our own and ended up at the diner across the street. C's goal was to have a very German experience while we're here and started it off with a German sausage with lots of sauerkraut. J went swimming with his cousins and I shivered along the side. Granddad joined me and it was fun to visit and watch the kiddos. Granddad, Jake, Dad and I went for a wine tasting at the tasting room attached to the resort after we got dried off. The music was really loud so we couldn't really visit and didn't stay too long. We had dinner at the resort restaurant tonight as a huge group. J was so exhausted that he was falling asleep at the table. I walked him back to the condo, got him all settled, and went back to join the fam. Dinner was amazing. D stood up and said "Oh my God!" at his steak, lol.

(12/25) Merry Christmas! We went for a horse-drawn carriage ride in the snow this morning. It was so beautiful! Uncle Craig took C out to make some donuts (safely) in the snow and then we gathered for lunch and prezzies at the grand's. J went swimming this afternoon and convinced me to go in too. Shan's family, Jake's fam, and Roxxy joined us and we had great family time! We gathered this evening for dinner and Dad brought over his wines to do a tasting for us. Delicious! Dinner was delivered to the condo and it was amazing ~ there was even enough left over to do it all again tomorrow!

(12/26) Dad and C headed out after breakfast this morning because C had to work and Dad didn't want him navigating the passes alone. They opted to go home through Snoqualmie Pass and it was a smooth drive home. J, Grandma and I went swimming this morning and then Grandma and I switched to the spa and had a lovely visit. D and I walked with the big group into town and hit Das Sweet Shoppe for some treats. D was stuck on getting pizza for lunch so we headed back to the condo and grabbed the car. We got the requisite pizza for lunch (it was Tuesday!) and hung out for a bit before going over to Shannon's to join the big group for dinner, more wine, and games. So fun!

(12/27) The twins and I made our way home this morning after having breakfast at the resort. What an epic vacation! We got unloaded and Dad did the WinCo run so they could have their traditional Wednesday fare.

(12/28) We planned a stay-home day today. I went for a Starbucks walk with Sarah and then came home to catch up my blog. It's been a while... whoops! C has to work this evening but the rest of us are enjoying a day of sloth.

Gettin' Festive

(11/15) The twins have half days all this week for conferences. I ran errands this morning and was home in time to meet them for our WinCo trip and to cook up the Chinese food. Our 2023 Christmas bell arrived this afternoon and D was ready to decorate. He was too impatient for me to get out the bins so he hung up the bell on the arch all by its lonesome.

(11/16) I worked in the building today. We're back to the time of year when I drive both to and from work in the dark. Blah. At least the sunset was pretty from my window!

(11/17) I worked from home today, the boys had school, and Dad had the day off. The twins came home in foul moods and ohmygoodness are we ready for the weekend!

(11/18) J and I made monkey bread this morning. While it was cooking, I got out the Christmas bins and D helped me hang the bells. My folks have gifted us one for every year we've been married. Once we put them up, he disappeared for a bit and came back fully dressed because we had to put up the outside decorations too. We got out the candy canes, the lasers, and put up the lights around the garage. 

(11/19) I took our foster doggo to meet a potential adopter today. The rescue sure found a perfect fit for him and he is going to be one spoiled pup! We spent about an hour together and when I left they were still shopping for treats and were planning to pick up some turkey to put some meat on his bones. I met with my book club briefly this afternoon. We read sort of a Hallmarky book and were pretty underwhelmed, but it was festive and fine overall. We still talked new books and I added a couple more reads to my list.

(11/20) I have a long work week this week: just today and tomorrow! I worked from home today and the sunrise was something else this morning.

(11/21) I worked in the building today. One of my coworkers also needed to go to Costco so we braved the crowds together. We were in and out in under an hour! Not too shabby! The one item I went for (cranberry dip and chips) turned out not to work for Thanksgiving, but the boys were certainly thrilled to help me finish it at home!

(11/22) The boys were off from school and I had the day off from work today. I really wanted to avoid grocery shopping fearing that it would be crazy, but D pestered me until I relented and took him to WinCo. Shockingly, we were able to grab our normal parking spot and there was no line at the self check-out. We then came home and prepared a Chinese food feast and the boys video-gamed the rest of the day away.

(11/23) Happy Thanksgiving! We got on the road as soon as we could this morning. We drove down to Seattle and caught the boat to Bremerton and then drove the rest of the way to grands'. Today was a blast! We played Charty Party, which is a graph-based card game similar to Cards Against Humanity. We laughed a whole lot. Dinner was delicious and it was fun to hang with Jake's fam as well as the grands! I neglected to take many pictures in favor of just enjoying the day.

(11/24) We breakfasted together and then got packed up to head home. The Edmonds/Kingston line was only running one boat and they weren't sure there was space on the one we had just rolled in for so rather than waiting an hour, we motored on over to Bainbridge. The ferry ride was beautiful! We unloaded back at home and then took the crew out for linner. We had a hockey game this evening with some friends we haven't seen in ages. The Tips even pulled out a win!

(11/25) Dad bought a family-sized blanket for us for Christmas (we are terrible about actually waiting for the day and tend to gift as soon as it arrives). Anyway, the blanket is 10' x 10' and D used it to make a pretty epic fort. I put up the little artificial tree since space is at a premium between two computer desks. D hates it and lobbied hard for a "proper" tree with room for the kitty to sleep beneath. J helped me decorate and we think it's good enough.  We watched Air Bud tonight and River was super into it. Here she is offering her toy to the TV: 

(11/26) The boys and I had one last lazy day before we're back at it for another few weeks. It was a beautiful, chilly day. I spent a lot of quality time with my books since I'm cramming to meet my end of the year goal in books read. It's silly, I know, but I'm not so far off that I think I can't catch up!

(11/27) I worked from home today and the men had work and school. I was in charge of finding something for dinner tonight and made the responsible adult decision and picked up taquitos.

(11/28) I worked in the building today. It was a busy Tuesday, but I remembered to look up in time to catch the sunset! I do not love that it gets dark so early but sure can't complain about the view.

(11/29) I had the day off today. I slept in a little and went in to donate blood while the kids were at school. We did up the Chinese food and made the trek to WinCo. The kiddos must have their treats!

(11/30) I worked from home today, the boys had school, and Dad had the day off. I caught a walk in the daytime during my lunchbreak and enjoyed my audiobook. 

(12/1) How is it December already? I worked from home today. I have a lot on my work calendar this month which should keep me out of trouble.

(12/2) C managed to find leather seats for his car at the junkyard and he and Dad went up to Rob's to do the switch. It's looking nice! Noodle had a rough morning hanging out with me while I read.

(12/3) I slept in this morning and made breakfast for the crew once I got up. Lazy mornings are the best!

(12/4) I worked from home today, Dad worked at work, and the boys had school. I got a call from the school that J needed to be picked up. Poor bubs must've been exhausted because he slept a bunch this afternoon and still looked like he needed more when he went to bed.

(12/5) I worked from home today and we let J sleep in and have a quiet day at home. He had a doctor's appointment this afternoon, which Dad was able to go to as well. He was checked out and cleared to go back when he's ready.

(12/6) J and I were home today. I made up the Chinese food early since C had to work and J was hungry. We went to WinCo as per usual and D said he had an "umbrella from Wish". LOL!

(12/7) I worked from home today and Dad had the day off. J returned to school today. He still looked pretty sleepy but he's been getting lots of sleep these past few days.

(12/8) I worked from home today. My office closed early for our holiday party at 13 Coins. Dad and I had a lovely time socializing with my coworkers. C went to the teddy bear toss at the Silvertips tonight with Rob & Mel. The bears got launched in the first three minutes, but the ice got damaged during the bear clean-up so the game was on hold for a long time. He was glad he stayed though because it was a great game!

(12/9) I ran errands this morning including stopping at The Snohomish Pie Co. They had a NW berry cream pie and we just had to have it! Dad whipped up a Thanksgiving feast to have with Nanan this evening. We got together to do our Santa pics. I know pictures are not the kids' favorite thing, but they humor me (more or less). I love the place we go to--we're in and out in about ten minutes with all the pictures on a USB and it's really low-pressure with regard to where we stand / whether the kids smile, etc.

(12/10) Nanan left this afternoon. Dad and I met the kids for round two of Santa pictures. W was a champ - just blinked at those bright lights! They came over for dinner afterward. J played so nicely with W. He really wanted to read to him, but W was full of beans and was running around. Once W discovered the dog crates, I told him "quick, you have a captive audience!" Ha! J was so sweet and even gave W one of his favorite bear books.