We trekked up north to see our families. It was bleakly cold, but our hearts were warm. (and excited!)
Dusty's parents had a full house and lots of fun things happening.
A certain jolly elf stopped by and gave the kids books for Christmas. Tyson was a little bit skeptical and Jack would have nothing to do with him!
Dusty's Dad pulled everyone around behind his four-wheeler.
We cooked mass amounts of food and goodies and enjoyed the ambiance that Dusty's mom created for the season. She even "wrapped" our doors for Christmas!
We attended my little brother's Court of Honor where he was awarded his Eagle Scout.
We face-timed my sister living in Tennessee. HI! And ate bowl after bowl of my mother's Ribolita soup!
We were spoiled on Christmas Day, which was mixed with just the rights amount of wadded paper, reading, treat eating, and visiting with family.
We took a brisk, frigid walk in the falling snow past where our old High School used to stand.
Dusty and my Dad pulled sleds of boys behind our car on the streets to keep busy. We played far too many games of Balderdash (which we are all also too good at). We did Jack's breathing treatment a couple of times due to mysterious causes we couldn't detect.
We enjoyed the mounds of snow.
Driving home, we stopped by Ikea and purchased a loft bed for Tyson. We tied it to to the top of our car and Joie, with Tyson in the back, followed us home. (this day was also our anniversary-- happy ten years sweetie!)
We had an after-Christmas party up at Joie's house where we were spoiled again.
Tyson wrote the place-cards for our dinner and Jack watched the train go endlessly around the tree.
My Mom's side of the family had our annual Christmas get-together. My aunt always does an amazing job putting it all together! Say hi to Aunt Chris!
Dusty and I went to a showing of the Hobbit (which we chose over Les Mis, I know I can't believe it either) and we loved it.
We celebrated the New Year with style: sparkling cider, chocolate, movies, dips + chips, and snuggling on the couch.
