Snuggies?

• We had our Christmas party with my family last night. Grandma still gets the teens and twenties to sing Christmas carols with her before opening gifts. I'm not sure if bribery or threats are actually used but they sing for their gifts every year.

Sam had Levi's name and gave him a camo Snuggie. There were pics on the box of a guy fishing while wearing his camo Snuggie. Levi was pretty stinkin' excited to try it out.

Last year the kids thought Grandma got a Snuggie. It was a bathrobe.

Do you know of anyone that has a Snuggie?

Or anyone that has a Snuggie on their list this year?

The kids are really into finding the right gift for their draw name and then presenting the gift.

They have grown up into a thoughtful bunch.

Gone are the years of cute little kids jumping around in their new pajamas, the party has changed as they grew up but Grandma still gets them to sing, the menu is a constant and the love of family is the best at Christmastime.

The biggest laugh last night... Grandma cut the price off the corner of all the itunes gift cards.

"Uhmmm, Grandma, I am going to figure out how much you spent on this gift card."

Parties

We have been to a few parties this season. We have given a few parties this season... In no special order because it's been a blur, here are some party pics...

Family, friends, Christmas, birthdays, party of two with Em, dinner parties, brunch, drinks, light suppers, coffee and dessert, turkey dinner.

Now I need to get ready for the next party!

A dog party. Party of one. Hawley got a spa day, a new bone and all of the gift wrap.

Happy dog party!

Girls' party, champagne cocktails to start at my house.

The Dykstra dessert table is a season favorite for all ages.

Party On...

I am going to parties everyday. Family parties, friend parties, birthday parties, Christmas parties. Oh my!

I will return with a holiday home tour, an addition tour, a recipe or two,

but not right now.

I have to get ready for another PARtay!

How many Christmas parties do you have?

Oh, I just thought of another one to have and I think we can fit it in next week!

Happy Trails Kiddo

Danny flew out early this morning. He is starting another chapter. In Michigan. We have had so much great time with him this Fall. It's easier to see him when he lives in Seattle than when he lives across the country. It's temporary though.

A year or two in Michigan and then ... we'll just have to wait and see what is next for Danny.

He has a job, a place to live and some schooling lined up.

Go Dan go!

Milky Way Fudge

I had this recipe scribbled on a tiny piece of paper, really just a list of ingredients. I think I got it from Emily. So it's probably from the Midwest. The Midwest is the capital of our nation, as far as its citizens combining everyday ingredients and making something delicious. They know how to take the ordinary and amp it up into something extraordinary.

Milky Way Fudge

One can of sweetened condensed milk

Three Milky Way candy bars

One bag of milk chocolate chips

Pour the milk into a bowl, add the chopped candy bars and microwave for one minute.

Stir.

Microwave for one minute.

Stir.

Microwave for the third time, one minute.

Stir.

Add milk chocolate chips and stir.

And stir.

Stir a lot.

Pour into a sprayed 8x8 pan and chill.

You too. Chill. This fudge is so easy that now you have the time to chill.

And in this busy Christmas season, that is nice.

After you and the fudge have chilled, cut into small squares and enjoy.

Then add the three ingredients to your grocery list because you will be making it again before the season is over.

Like Max said last night, "get out the fudge and lots of it!"

At our house fudge without nuts is a good thing.

And in my world fudge this easy is a really good thing.

Christmas Dance

Saturday evening was tolo, the Christmas dance. Max and Kassie went with friends. We met at the Sparber's for a mini photo shoot with their group and their parents. Max and Kassie looked great. Gorgeous dress in a pretty shade of loganberry, a coordinating tie, pretty jewels, darling hairstyle. Sweet.

It is on tolo night that I am reminded, I never had a girl.

No girl babies here.

Just. Boys.

The bling, the hair, THE dress, the shoes, oh my goodness, the shoes!

The makeup, the flowers, the pretty nails,

I lost out on all of it.

Gorgeous, I tell you!

Take the shoes for instance, uhm, black guy shoes, Max's signature vans vs. the heels with ruffles, bows and bling. No contest. Girls win the shoe category.

It was such a nice group of kids, they looked gorgeous and I could just tell they would have a lot of fun because they weren't nervous or weird, just good friends.

Jesse looked very handsome. Love that kiddo! And I've missed him. Jesse is banned from our house until January. Because as much as I love Jesse, he has one teeny tiny flaw. Jesse can't keep his hands off my eddie bauer snow globe collection. And if he breaks one, I can't be responsible for my actions... or reaction! So, all in all it's just safer for Jesse not to come over during the Christmas season. I'll miss the little guy but January will be here before we know it and then he can come back.

A handsome group of guys but really a black pants and shirt do not make for very exciting shopping. A dress would be fun to shop for, shoes to try on, searching for the right jewelry.

I did miss out not having a girl...

Instead I got some smart guy saluting me after I gave the usual litany of orders,

Mind your manners.

Treat her like the princess, she is.

Help her with doors etc. she has on high shoes, walk slowly.

Don't drink the punch.

Be responsible.

Be a thinker. Doreen asked me one time when my guys were little if maybe when I said , BE A THINKER!, if my guys didn't maybe hear, BE A STINKER!

Drive carefully.

Be polite.

Come home on time.

Make good choices.

Go to the restaurant, the dance, to the after party, to Kassie's and directly HoMe!

Don't drink the punch! It bears repeating.

Oh, and have fun honey... I love you...