Curt and I took off for Bend, OR the day after school got out for Christmas break... and my sissy flew into Bend the next day! We were soooo excited to see her and Mark (he joined us closer to Christmas). Here's me, dad, and Jen at the airport in Bend:
Me and sissy by the tree at my parent's house:
My good friend Katie Ford was still in Bend when we arrived, so she came over and hung out a couple times before heading home to family in Walla Walla (soooo good to see her! Esp. since she's leaving for China in just another week... we'll miss you Ford!)
Jen and I made a ton of mom's sugar cookies... they were soooooooooooooooooooo good. As you can see, I could barely wait to stuff them in my mouth:
Hi mama! Here we are getting prepped to do some more serious baking -- this Christmas I learned how to make my mom's delicious buns and tea-ring! yummmmmy.
Can you see that I am listening very intently to instructions.... just the right temp. water for the yeast, just the right amount of sugar... salt... (I can do this, I can do this!)
It's looking like a success people! Here are the buns and rings rising:
Ahhh, the almost finished product! They turned out quite lovely :)
After frosting and decorating them with the classic jelly/dyed cherries - lol - I couldn't hardly wait to eat them Christmas morning:
But I did.
Hanging with the fam Christmas Eve... Curt, Chris, and Charles:
Note to self: Do not leave plate full of fudge and snack foods on counter while at church with dogs in the house. They will in fact eat them. oops.
Justin and Trevor (ooooohhhh, how cute):
Jenny and Mark - reunited at last! hehe
The hubby and I:
Even cat joined in the festivities... and who knew she was a Guinness fan?!
Chris and Karen... and surprise! Charles. hehe.
Cat's favorite perch (out of reach from the dogs) - and hanging with Tyler:
The weather was so cozy the whole time we were there; everything was literally frosted white:
Hanging out Christmas Morning:
The 3 amigos (aka: partners in crime):
The whole family together at last! :)
We left a few days after Christmas and made our way up to Bellingham to spend New Years with Curt's family! We had so much fun being with everyone, and of course seeing how big the twins had gotten since this last summer! They are as adorable as ever!!! Here's a cute shot of Lucy at Kelli and Ethan's house:
Having our own Christmas at Brian and Lisa's -- we exchange stockings and gave the girls a little something. It was so fun! Here's Lucy and Maddie climbing on Ethan:
Here's the girls at home... hanging out and showing us their new found agility walking with a little help:
My sissy came up to Bellingham for a day to see her good friend Amy (and me, right sis???) - I met them for Pizza downtown - it was super fun. :)
For New Years we had dinner reservations out at "The Fork" - this great restaurant on Lake Whatcom -- we were a little disappointed that it was a fixed menu just for that night - but the food tasted delicious, and Curt was all too happy to indulge in the 5 course meal! Here's Grandma Day, Lisa, and Brian:
The whole gang:
The first course I believe was some type of one-bite deal with crab... I at least tasted the sauce, and Curt said it was amazing. The presentation of all the courses was really fun.
Course #2: Duck liver (Foie gras), with toasted bread, a light citrus salad, and fresh grapefruit sorbet to cleanse the palate ... Mmmmmm .....
Course #3: The clam chowder in a fresh bread bowl with spinach leaves -- I had this as my meal, and it was lip-smackin' good!!
Ahhhhh, some chilly, fresh, lime sorbet to cleanse the palate again (to die for!):
Course #4: The main event! A medium-rare steak with an augratin potato stack (so cheesy, and soooo good), with fresh chives and sauteed greens. It was mouth wateringly fantastic!
Course #5: Who can forget dessert! Some kind of brittle with peanut butter, white chocolate, real whipped cream and strawberries with chocolate-mouse-goodness. It was a lick your plate type of finish to the evening's courses. :) Thank you Brian and Lisa, and thank you "The Fork!"
Curt's Grandpa Day had to go into a nursing home before Christmas, which has been really hard for the family -- but we had many nice visits while we were there... one of which was to celebrate his birthday! It was a packed room, and so fun to see everyone and have that time together. Here's Curt and I hanging out with the babies: 
I had to include this one last picture of Molly and Lily chillin in bed together. Our kitty HATES other cats, and most every dog for that matter... But, LOVES Molly! Sooo cute. 
Well, all for now! Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas themselves... and is having a great start to the new year! Love to all family and friends! Will update the blog again soon!