Merry Christmas from Wyoming!!

     What a beautiful Christmas morning from my hometown of Sheridan, Wyoming.  It is so very nice to be home once again to share the Christmas holidays with my family.  We have a lot of family traditions which make this time of year even more special.

 Here is my dad packaging up his famous Tom and Jerry batter and his homemade Polish whiskey for some good family friends.

Here is my mom preparing the walnuts for our poteesa.

Now we spread the honey and walnut mixture on the dough.  We always make sure we have lots of filling!! :0)

As I was washing dishes, I snapped this beautiful picture from Bob and Deb's kitchen window.

Rosie had to survey the situation.

Here is Debbie rolling out her famous sugar cookies.

I worked on the Krinkle cookies.

Rach worked on the thumbprints.

Eric was the official taste tester while Debbie, Rach, Jessica, and I were the bakers.

Our 2011 baking extravaganza

 The other members of the family stayed occupied as well. 

Here is Eric lounging.

Jessica checking things out on her computer.

Rach and I goofing around.

Bob was busy cleaning since they are in the middle of a remodeling project.

Family favorites...raspberry thumbprints

Krinkle cookies right out of the oven...yummy!

Here is part of the crew gathered for dinner on Friday night.

My sister, Cathy, and her kids: Danny, Brittany, and Faith

A giant bear hug...compliments of Brandon

Rachel and Aunt Lulu on Christmas Eve

Debbie and Mom

Rach and her mom, Debbie

Brandon was a good helper by helping prepare Christmas Eve dinner.

Here is a nice picture of Eric and Jessica.

Uncle Darrell and Brandon

Dakota thought I needed some lovin'!!

A Polish tradition...the passing and sharing of holy bread while giving each other Christmas wishes and blessings for the New Year

Timmy and Donna Jo

Look at all of the pretty presents!

Grandpa and Eric

Jessica showcasing her pretty present.

Dakota helped Brandon by passing out the small presents. :0)

Rach's present to me...how pretty!!

Bob displaying Mom's new swimsuit.  Too funny!

Brandon was pleased with his new Central Rams sweatshirt.

Dave is in the corner checking out his new BBQ cookbook...475 recipes!!

Eric was very enthused with his new massive coffee mug and coffee beans from Starbucks.

Rach loved her new lia sophia earrings compliments of Aunt Lulu!!

Jessica was led on a scavenger hunt for her Christmas gift.  It was very fun to watch!!

Here is one very surprised Auntie Lulu!! I had just unwrapped a beautiful Pandora bracelet.  Thanks so much, Rach!!! I absolutely love it!! :0)

Rach thoroughly enjoyed the new childrens' books to add to her collection and soon-to-be classroom. :)

     Of course, the "lucky" recipient of Darrell's gifts, is always in for a gag gift.  He always buys great gifts, but one of them is always a very well thought out gag gift.  This year one of Melanie's presents was surrounded by foam insulation, so she had to fight through it (as shown in the picture) to get to the gift at the bottom of the box.  I hope it was worth it, Melanie!!

Aunt Lulu and Brandon

Stacy, Melanie, and Me

Christmas morning brunch

Rosie hanging out with grandpa before Christmas dinner

Christmas flowers for the dinner tables sent by friends

A very pretty live Christmas tree, Bob and Deb...:0)

Mom/Grandma, Rach, and Lori

Rachel taught grandma how to bowl on the Wii.  It was a hoot!!

 Then Bob played Mom.  She sure enjoyed herself!!

Bob is victorious in his baseball game against Rach.  He even beat her by the "Mercy Rule."

After our Wii fest and letting our bellies rest from our delicious Christmas dinner, it was time for dessert.

Debbie always makes everything look so pretty!!  Here is the dessert table.

We are so very blessed this Christmas to be surrounded by family and loved ones.  God has so richly blessed us.

Ugly Christmas Sweater Day 2011

Yesterday was our annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Day at school.  Many people participated, so it was a great time.  Here we are in all of our glory!!

Just check out the assortment! :0)

6th grade teachers looking very festive...

The 8th grade teachers appear to be sneaking into their grandmothers' closets!!  :0)

7th grade teachers are in the spirit too

(especially Deb who also sported a Christmas tree headband).

More fun at school...

     After school my yearbook staff made Christmas treats: Twix Cookie Bars, Oreo Truffles, and Nutter Butter Snowmen.  About 30 kids showed up, and they all had an awesome time!!  They work so hard throughout the year to make a quality yearbook, so I thought that I would reward them with a baking "meeting" instead. :0)  They decided that it needed to be an annual event!!

Amanda and Alexa decorating the snowmen

My Oreo "smashers"

Today we capped off our Christmas fun by revealing our Secret Santas. 

We gathered in the lounge for the big event; we had a great turnout this year!! 

     I was Renae's Secret Santa, and her gift bag was decorated like a big steaming cup of coffee, handle and all!!  We even had the same shirt and vest on today!

Christmas with the Kids

     This weekend we celebrated Christmas with the kids as we will be heading out to Wyoming for the holidays.  Michael and Amber were home for the weekend, and it turned out to be a great Christmas celebration!!

The five of us at dinner Saturday night

Amber, Dani, and I gathered for a picture of just the girls.

When it was time to open presents, guess who appeared?

Here is Dani with one of her favorite gifts...a new jacket. :0)

     Michael was thrilled with his gifts from Dani...a Sushi cookbook and some cooking items to make Sushi at home.  He and Amber love to go out for Sushi, and he has been wanting to learn how to make it.  I love the surprised expression on his face! :0)

Amber is checking out her new Nook while Michael is checking out his new ceramic Sushi knife.

Nice wrapping job, Amber!! :0)

JJ decided she needed to have her picture taken too...

     while her brother decided he needed to help unwrap presents.  He does this every year, and it is hysterical!! He pulls the big ribbons off, and gently opens up the presents.  He doesn't chew on the paper...just unwraps each present.

     After unwrapping presents, Michael and Dani got out the old photo albums from when they were little.  They really enjoyed going through them together, and it was great to see them having so much fun.

     Of course, there were many laughs at Darrell's expense (clothes, hair, glasses, etc...).  Amber had plenty of laughs at Michael's expense too!!  We all had fun looking through the albums and reminiscing about Michael and Dani being babies and toddlers.  What a nice weekend together as a family!!!

Love and Joy 2011

Digital collage personalized with Smilebox