Seriously?!

When is this winter going to end?  COLD...snow...COLD...

Bundling up for our constant below zero temps and to shovel the deck once again...

 Dakota and JJ love to play on the deck while I am shoveling!!

Can't you shovel around me??

At least one of us has the right idea for staying warm...

Spelling Bee Time

Here we are with the "official" spelling bee dictionary...

BRRR!!!

During the "polar vortex"...

Katie's eyelashes froze!  Check them out!!

     Our animals even chose to stay cuddled up close to each other in order to stay toasty during these very cold January days...

     I did get to stay home from school for two days as it was cancelled due to the extreme cold temperatures.  I began to wonder if our pets always take their naps together since I was able to snap this photo of them on one of my days off.  My nephew, Eric, said he had to get his coat out of storage in Arizona since it had "dipped" into the high 50s/low 60s for their daily highs that week.  Poor thing!!

Then we were supposed to get 1-3 inches of snow yesterday...

Needless to say, I think the weather forecasters were a bit off!!!!

Although, the doggies always enjoy playing in a fresh batch of snow!! :)

We had three birthday celebrations on the same day last week!!

Here are Becca's very yummy Oreo cupcakes.

Paula enjoyed her treats when we gathered after school.

Deb and I took Barb to Texas Roadhouse for her birthday that night.

 We just couldn't convince her to ride the birthday saddle!!

Kawulok Christmas 2013

This free digital slideshow created with Smilebox

Christmas Fun

A beautiful Christmas morning in Sheridan, WY

Our Christmas tree

Christmas Eve at home

     I should've known I was in trouble when my little brother, Steven, completely wrapped my present in duct tape!!  This was only the beginning of my adventure...

     Once I finally got the present unwrapped, I found the box FULL of shredded paper from his pharmacy!!! Of course, the paper wasn't shredded into thin strips but TINY squares that ended up all over me and all over the floor!  If only I would have captured a picture of my brother, Dave, vacuuming up the evidence!

     My next obstacle was unlocking a specially made box by Steven marked FRAGILE (just like Ralphy). Good thing I remembered to bring the key (which was another clue sent to me via a Christmas card earlier in December). This was definitely WELL thought out!!

     After unlocking the FRAGILE box, I had a series of questions to answer (without using my cell phone, a computer, help from others, etc...).  I had five questions to answer (ranging from easy to difficult).  I could ask Steven one question via FaceTime. Needless to say, it took quite awhile to answer all of the questions. PLUS, once they were all answered, I had to unscramble certain letters, which would then unlock this "puzzle" filled with MM's and my gift.

     This device was called a Puzzle Pod Cryptex, and my code spelled ANGEL.  It was quite the process but proved to be A LOT of fun for all.  (Thanks for the extra help, Paige!!)  I am sure that Steven was quite entertained as he saw it all unfold through FT. Brandon held the phone and got quite the kick out of his dad's uniquely wrapped present.  :0)  I much appreciate the Apple iPad gift card, and I can't wait to update mine as it's just about ready to die/or is possessed since it just randomly starts typing (usually 30-40 c's and x's at any given time)!!  More Kawulok Christmas pictures to come...

'Tis the Season Continued...

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Our Secret Santa crew...

     I had an awesome SS, and I enjoyed all of my fun gifts especially the scarf Becca made and my new Steelers bag!! :o)

Our English department the Friday before Christmas break...

     We love blue & gold Fridays (especially the ones where we can wear our comfy blue & gold flannel pants)!!

Christmas with the kids...

We are so blessed!!

Dani loved her new down pillow.

Dakota and JJ sporting their pretty ribbons. 

Time for the kids' stockings...

The whole process just wore the big fella out!!

'Tis the Season for Baking

     Our "bake-off" started years ago when I taught Tina's oldest son.  We both enjoy baking a lot, so she decided it was time for another competition now that McKenna is at the middle school.   The class decided that it was a draw; I made frosted cheesecake brownies, and Tina made nut goodie bars.   I read The Snow Tree while Bridget, Tina, and McKenna dished out the treats!! 

     My next baking adventure was a couple of nights later with Dallas.  We made LOTS of Christmas cookies; some of them for my cookie exchange the next day at school.

     Thanks to my friend, Sara, for giving me the awesome recipe for Santa's Surprise Cookies!!

Smiles for the camera...

Another successful cookie exchange :0)

Alison, Heidi, Ann, Deb, April, and Me 

(Bridget participated, too, but couldn't be present for the picture.)

The Days Leading up to Christmas

A beautiful sight on a cold December morning...sun dogs :0)

Our annual Ugly Sweater Day...

 Alison and Me

 This year student council collected canned goods for the food shelf in exchange for wearing a hat.

 Bridget and Me 

(Now that is one ugly cowboy Christmas sweater!!!!)

Getting ready for hall duty...

Our Christmas celebration after hours...

Sandy, Alison, and Me

Holly, Sheri, and Ann

Becca gave Alisha and me a craft lesson for a fun Christmas gift. 

 

Catching Fire time!!!

Clearly, for some, all of this Christmas activity is too much!!