The one where we look back on the year

2014....

What a memorable year for so many reasons....


•  trip to Disney
•  the first year of softball for Bri
•  kindergarten starts for Kiff
•  10 year anniversary
•  20 year teaching at the same school
•  working for new publishers
•  Emmie takes on several volunteer roles
•  Kiff loses his first tooth
•  Bri has three tooth out of her front at once
•  Bri is in her first parade
•  Kiff and Bri both do gymnastics together

Thanks 2014....it has been a great year....can't wait to see what comes in 2015.

The One With the Winter Solstice Sunrise

Today is the winter solstice and we continued our annual tradition of watching the sunrise. It is always fun, but this year, we had a nice twist...instead of trying to rouse the kids (which sometimes happens), they were already awake and ready to go.

We wandered over the Beverly, wondering if we would be able to see the sun. After all, there was a thick cloud cover and a few snowflakes in the air. But, when we got there, the big guy was indeed looking out for us. There was a sliver of clear sky. Although we did not truly see the sun itself rise, we saw the glint of sunlight in the air, ushering in the first day of winter.

We had hot cocoa and tea and donuts, listened to some winter music, and then made our way home.

What a nice way to usher in the winter season. 

The One With the Candy Cane Hunt

The other night, we went to the first ever Candy Cane Hunt in our town. Picture it as an easter egg hunt, only at night, with Candy Canes.

Clever idea, right?

Indeed....it was a ton of fun.

We arrived at about 5:00 and noticed one thing - there were a lot of people who signed up to be hear. We gathered by a big bonfire in a field and shortly after, it was time to line up by a rope. Something told me this could be a quick night. It reminded me of Far and Away, when the homesteaders were standing by a rope, waiting to claim land.

We waited...and waited...and waited with about 200 other kids. I believe they realized they needed more candy canes.

Before we knew it, it was time to go and collected candy canes scattered across the ground.  Kids were everywhere as flashlight beams danced across the grass.

We dashed carefully all over the field - competing with others for collecting candy canes. Bri found one and Kiff found two. We were hoping there would not be disappointment and there wasn't. Most families actually only found one or two...though one kid claimed to have found 35.

Overall, it was a fun time. They definitely could use more candy canes, but it was creative, fun, and well-planned.