A December to Remember

This has been a fun month- here's some things that happened.

This dog doesn't realize he is perfectly capable of getting into the car by himself.  He assumes this position and waits for someone to give him a boost.

Even though it is cold, we still run most days.  Last year the running ladies decided that anything over 20 fahrenheit was running weather.  This year we've happily gone out when it was 12 or 15.  Sometimes I come home with a snow-hawk. 

 

I was making rolls when my dad came over- he thinks I have an addictive personality or perhaps a sick need to open a bakery, but it was neither.  It was for church.

In case you wonder what I do all day.

Our home renovations continue.  I'm beyond thrilled to have my new desk in.

We're getting skeptical.

"I'm pretty sure that one was just a helper," she said.

"Bring me an American Girl doll or Rudolph gets it."

#running problems

Kiki developed a serious addiction to cookie butter whilst in Arizona.  Thank goodness for Aunt Tiffany- she sent her a very special care package! This should hold us over until Easter, at least.

This is a cute face but it's also the face he makes when he eats an entire plate of frosted sugar cookies in the 6 minutes I was gone taking the girls to school.

 

Kate turned 10! I made her a pie AND a cake.

Official birthday portraits with mom and dad. 
I can't believe she is TEN!
Sidebar- the skirt I'm wearing is TWELVE.

About my newly minted ten year old: She is a sweet, kind girl.  She's been earning excellent grades this year and loves school.  She is a good sister- it's 85% getting along and 15% fights to the death.  She thinks she's too grown-up for kids menus anymore.  She is still taking piano and gymnastics.  She loves playing with her friends and sleeping over at Grandma's.  I can't believe how grown up she seems sometimes, but then she stills needs cuddled and loved at night.  She reads a ton!  We love you, Kate!

 



No one loves our new, big window more than this guy.
Neighborhood watch, yo.

Bruce has been able to spend more time at home this month- sometimes when he works from home, this happens for a little minute.

My ice skating buddy.

Thanksgiving Fun

Oh, he knows how it works around here.
Every morning, I teach piano and Bruce makes breakfast.
He's way nicer than I would be- if one wants pancakes and one wants eggs then he delivers on both counts.
Then 60% of it gets wasted and this dog hangs out waiting for me to scrape plates once the girls are in school.

Maggie has been growing her hair out and wants me to do it in different cute ways.
She said, "Do you know how to do any hair that ISN'T a mohawk?"

This dog can sleep in any position.

 We went to Arizona for Thanksgiving.  The whole lot of us are pretty good travelers.

We ran into quite a bit of snow but we made it safely.

We stopped in Paige for a very quick dinner- just something we could bring back to the car and eat while we drove.  Kiki had a corn dog, I chose a chicken sandwich, Kate ordered a half rack of ribs.

What a fiasco.  I'm going to be a little more specific with her next time.

Grandpa Hatch and some of his granddaughters.
Sophie, Kate, Elan, and Maggie.
We ate a huge Italian dinner a few days before Thanksgiving just to stretch out our stomachs.

James, Ruth, and Lauren.

These cute cousins played nonstop for days.
They would disappear into Grandma's playroom and emerge only for meals.

Tiffany and I were in charge of the pies- 13 of them.
We just couldn't stop ourselves!
Her kitchen payed the price.

Thanksgiving day with the Haws gals- Lauren, Ellyse, and Elan.

Our beautiful pies- coconut cream, pumpkin, key lime, cranberry icebox, apple, cherry, banana cream, pecan, french silk, pumpkin cheesecake, chocolate cheesecake with ganache, and I don't remember what else.  But I ate them all.

More cousin bonding.
Sophie, come visit us!

Of course we visited Oregano's! It's one of our favorite places and we never miss going there.  Rob and Kristi were able to meet us for a quick lunch.

Fortunately, the drive home was much better weather than the one down.  We are always so happy to see Bruce's family and celebrate the holidays.

Ladies Trip to Tahoe

My first college roommate turned 40 recently, and we gathered first in San Francisco and then traveled to Tahoe to celebrate together for the weekend. 

Sarah and I- just 22 years of friendship is all. 

The Golden Gate Bridge

My morning run along the shores of Lake Tahoe.  It was cold but I was prepared for a couple of good runs- 6 miles the first morning and 9 miles the second morning.  The second run was notable in that it is the VERY FIRST time I have had GI trouble on a run- fortunately I was able to sneak into the construction site of a luxury home and avail myself of the honey bucket. 

Tricia, Sarah, and I.
 

Hiking along the shore.
Me, Micah, Tricia, and Sarah.

It was a fun weekend! Tricia and Sarah have known each other since high school, and Micah and Sarah are friends from her neighborhood.  It was a good time to be together with friends from different phases of her life and celebrate her.  

Happy Haunting!

Boeufy wishes this was only a costume! It's a for real outfit though- anytime the temperature drops below freezing, he must wear his vest if he wants to come running.

These were the easiest pumpkins we have ever (not) carved.
Some fabric, some paint, and one little hole for the binky was all it took.
Also, no one dry heaved.

It's funny how one dog can totally ruin a sleepover.
"You guys didn't make this bed for me? Weird."

 

Here's my little "haunters."
Kiki went as a vampire and Kate was a mime.
We teased Kate that she'd have to ACTUALLY KNOCK if she wanted any candy at all.

I borrowed Dan's hair for my costume.

He's a vicious predator!
Only of his own toenails, though.