Ahem. It's 2010.

Yes. Well Thanksgiving is well behind us now, isn't it? Breezed right through the holidays with nary a post. And I've made a small, teeny tiny, resolution to blog weekly. (I can't really call that a resolution because I think a resolution is meant to improve oneself... okay, well, hmm... but blogging inspires reflection, a moment to study the inner workings of my self and my life around me.) Okay. screw it. It's a bona fide resolution. You'll see it in the sidebar.

So!

The kids are back to school today and I was a little sad to see them go. (I know!) We were all getting into a good groove of getting along and doing groovy stuff. I can't even say that I was tired of the Legos (and believe-you-me, there was a heck of a lot of Lego's happening in my world...)

We spent most of the holiday here, seeing the full cycle of our tree from happy new spruce to needle-dropping fire hazard.





Chritmas morning saw the consumption of the annual Welsh cookies (a family tradition of my Polish & German ancestors...)





Here is Smith about to open the first present that I ever rushed out to buy on Christmas Eve, 10 minutes before the store closed. Can you guess what it is?




Nope! Wasn't these. These socks I had for a good month before Christmas.




Dad said dessert required a torch!




Still guessing? A mandolin.





We did head south to see my folks and my brother and his family and we had a splendid time. Even made some pierogis. (ours were the mashed potato and cheese filled variety. with the usual amounts of butter and onions.)

The boys, in their usual upside down position, at my brother's house.




My mom's splendid mantle piece.



Scenes from our hike, where the signs warned us of alligators. I'm sure they were hibernating, (right?) but I still couldn't let Jaybird out of sight. Reminded me too much of one my favorite bumper stickers: "do not meddle in the affairs of dragons for you are crunchy and good with ketchup."



What's a hike without a stick?





Baba made them work for their gifts.





I'm pretty sure that was an entire spool of curly ribbon.




This one's all net!





To ring in the new year we hosted a completely impromptu, last minute get together. Only 2 families showed up. (okay. maybe we only managed to call 3 families altogether...) but we had splendid time. My friend vetmomma brought me lemon curd and meyer lemons from her tree! When friends give you lemons, make lemon tarts.



Happy New Year Ya'll!
see you next week.