We figured we’d eat some of the cake and share some with friends.
It really is beautiful. They do a great job decorating and wrapping.
But surprise! A hole where we hoped (assumed?) frosting would be. 😄
Plates to share…
Category Archives: Friends & Family
Double wins at bingo!
Tonight was the school bingo event and we had a blast!
We invited friends, ate pizza and Bundt cakes for dinner, and Katie won two bingos!! One was even a red ticket which means she got to pick from the BIG gifts.
And look what we got…
A huge Bundt cake (which happened to be Confetti, her favorite flavor!) and a year’s supply of bundlets (one per month)!! WOOHOO!! Then she picked the loom bracelet for her second prize!!!
Perfect lunch. Margarita and a friend.
Bestie spa time.
When I asked for seafood, they delivered.
Our good friends and amazing chefs invited us for dinner. They don’t do seafood with their regular dinner group so were excited when I said we’d be ALL IN for as seafood extravaganza. And what an extravaganza it was…
Pre-dinner drinks! Jami tried to give me a margarita replacement. It was okay but I really missed the sugar!!
Salmon Rilletes and Gingered Crab Potato Nests
David’s homemade soppressata and cheese.
Lobster Cheesecake
Seared Scallop on Truffled Parsnip Purée
Lobster Bisque w/Anchovy Butter toasts
Lobster Stuffed Chateaubriand with Bernaise Sauce, asparagus, and failed duck fat potatoes.
Raspberry Soufflé
One additional special thing that happened… Tom and I finally opened a bottle of wine we bought after our first cruise in 2006. We had done a wine tasting on board and liked that so bought it once we got home. Then we didn’t remember what we needed to drink it with and never looked it up and just moved out around with us. So tonight it was time. And it was okay but not my style at all.
All in all an amazing night of friendship and food.
Well THOSE are a surprise.
I knew about Poland, the Ukraine, and Germany…but British? Irish? Greek? Interesting. Once you get started in 23andMe, it’s a veritable rabbit hole… See you in a few days. LOL
Live fidget spinners!
Owen’s amazing Pokémon evolutions.
Owen really is amazing when it comes to creating Pokémon and evolutions. Today he was making a birthday card for his friend and wasn’t sure what to draw so we told him to draw some Pokémon. We thought he’d just draw a common Pokémon, but he came up with two new Pokémon, complete with two evolutions each, for a total of six new Pokémon (he did one for the birthday boy and one for his sister, just because). He just blows me away.
Polar Vortex Day 1
We knew it was coming (school was even called off in advance) but it was still a shock to see it. Feels like -45°.
I stayed in bed because the kids can fend for themselves (and Tom had a late start) but eventually Katie came up to cuddle for a few minutes.
Then Tom went to work and I honestly hadn’t been planning to leave the house but we were invited down to the neighbor’s house for lunch and to just hang out…so we did. The kids had fun playing, we had a yummy lunch and birthday cake (for Enzo’s birthday), and I actually helped Stacey organize her pantry (yes, that’s fun for me!).
When we got home we turned our new heater on…and someone loved it. 🙂
And even though the furnace was working and it said it was 70° in the house I was still cold so pretty much sat under blankets next to the heater…
Sleepover night!
Owen was off at a sleepover so we let Katie have a sleepover, too. So, of course, princesses.
Yay for new work friends!
A way-higher-ranked-than-me SeneGence girl moved to the area recently from Minnesota and long story short we met and hit it off. (I think I might have mentioned her before? I forget. CRS, you know.) She wants to get this area pumped and moving (the CEO has told her the Chicago area needs help!) so the plan is to start planning some meetups and trainings…and today was the first planning session with us two and another girl from Chicago.
We had a fun day just hanging out and sharing stories and getting to know each other. We might also have shared some wine at the house and margaritas over lunch. These ladies are totally my peeps.
It’s been a daily part of my life for the last 8 years.
The rollercoaster of emotions when you find out one of your favorite small forums is shutting down.
Getting some air!
We went to a new trampoline place with friends. She and I sat and talked for two hours while the kids wore themselves out and pretty much left us alone. It was awesome.
After, it was off to Culver’s, which was next door…and so busy that the kids had to sit at a table by themselves. It. Was. Glorious.
Thanks for The Avalanche subscription, mom!
I think I almost enjoy the “96 Years Ago” stuff the best: “Last night was a humdinger for weather, the thermometer registering 34° below before morning.” Though 69 Years Ago was also good: “Rabbit hunting is still the pastime around Frederic.”
Nail day!
A polish set from Aunt Dee!!
Gummy tongue!
From Gramma Jean’s trip to Maine!
Christmas lights!
Grannie wanted to see some lights while they were here so we went to the county fairgrounds. It was too hard to take pics but it was neat—the lights were all synchronized to a local radio station. The reindeer and tunnel (pictured) were my favorites.
We also went to a personal residence that had an amazing display (also set to music). It gave me some good ideas for when we finally plant roots… 🙂
Papa and Grannie are the beasts!!
Papa and Grannie arrived about 6 and of course the kids had to show them the masks right away. Then this happened!
Christmas Eve matching PJs
Christmas Eve Day
We spent the day with Uncle Rob and Aunt Dee at their new house! The kids played with Daisy, played in the snow, Owen shot his new bow (and lost an arrow in the snow!), made snowballs with Aunt Dee, and played games with Aunt Dee while is other three adults might have been napping. 🙂
Margarita buddies!
Santa Daisy
She was a big cuddle bug.
Schwalms and Hudsons
The cousins had so much fun together and we really enjoyed visiting with the adults!!We really need to do this more often!!
Katie Rudolph
Another day, another new Katie face. Again by Gabby.
These woods are for the birds!!
Uncle Doug and Aunt Marie took all the kids to Hartwick Pines and the kids got to hand-feed the birds! Katie got too freaked out but Owen did it!!
WHAT U TALKIN BOUT
The cousins were all having a ball playing together and I thought they’d have a blast playing “WHAT U TALKIN BOUT?” (the game where you try to say phrases while wearing dental mouthpieces—there are many versions of this game). Katie had bought it for Owen for Christmas and we weren’t set to open it for days but I am glad we did…we haven’t laughed so hard in a long time! It was definitely worth the $2.50 sale price at the dollar store.
Katie tiger!
Can you tell the face paints were a HUGE success?! This one was painted by cousin Gabby!
Pysanky Katie & Hatty Owen
Katie wanted Gramma Jean to do Pysanky on her face and Katie REALLY wanted to paint Owen’s face so he reluctantly let her paint Hatty Hattington on him (hilariously yet steadfastly refusing both glitter and sparkles).
And since I had no idea what Hatty Hattington looked like, either… I guess she did okay. 🙂
Butterfly Katie
I brought face paint for Grauntie Marge to give to the kids…she’s much more of an artist then I am!
Gramma snuggles!
Katie’s holiday party!
When we got there they were all reading a book with the teacher.
Katie had to introduce me.
Decorating a snowman cookie.
The kids loved all the snacks and games and gifts. Katie especially loved being able to go home early with me. 🙂
I am finally rocking a scarf.
A friend and I went to a local craft fair and I fell in love with these big soft floofy infinity scarves. But I’m not a scarf person. I’ve tried. But I put it on and it didn’t look too bad.
It’s even better in daylight!
