WE BELIEVE IN CHRISTmas!

We celebrated Christ's birth with all of our traditions...  Katia insisted (since, "it's my last Christmas at home before my mission.")
Our Christmas Feast: 

Matching Pajamas:

Stockings:

Gifts:

Because he's cute!

I love my super hero!

ODDS AND ENDS THAT MAKE LIFE EXCITING

Life is made up of good and bad... odds and ends... happys and sads....  

Luckily we've had more happys than sads lately: two to one - to be exact.

GOOD:
One of my former music students is still as talented as ever.  And she still lets me celebrate her achievements with her.  I got to watch her sing and play on Saturday.  And she has grown so much!  I couldn't be more proud of this beautiful, young lady! 
And I couldn't resist taking a few pictures of the church she was performing in.  This church is absolutely gorgeous!  It reminded me of Europe....

BAD:
I got a flat tire on Monday, Christmas Eve.  Apparently this was INSIDE the tire... The hole was huge:

GOOD:
We celebrated December with #lighttheworld.  We tried hard to serve others, and show love as much as we could.  We decided to commemorate the occasion with our besties: the DeThortenhausens.  We attended the temple together on Saturday and then went to lunch at Qdobas.  I love this crazy group!

And I made these to keep myself organized.

They make me happy!

GOT PAINT? - CHRISTMAS PROJECT

Scott, Katia and I decided we wanted to save and carry out a huge Christmas project.  We've all been saving for over 4 months and were able to START a kitchen remodel.  I have never liked the color of my kitchen.  And the blinds were falling apart.  So with cash in hand, we hit Lowe's on Friday to purchase paint for the walls, ceiling and faux wood blinds.  We also got a new LED light fixture.  We spent 3 days detailing and painting and cleaning and putting together the kitchen.  We love the result!  And Scott insisted that we do a "professional" job... and we did, if I say so myself.  Our next "project" is scheduled to implement in May: new dishwasher, stove/oven, and microwave.  Stay tuned.
BEFORE:

DURING:

Too late to change our minds...

Who needs Picasso?  We've got Scott!

I paint outside the lines...

Yes, we are exhausted and worn out.

But happy!

AFTER:

YAY!  We did it!

COLOR SPLASH!

TEXAS CHRISTMAS

Kiara and Cody were able to visit Cody's family in Texas the week before Christmas.  They had such a wonderful time!  And Kiara truly loves her new family!  I'm so glad she loves them!  Loving your in-laws is a blessing!  Her extended family even threw her a small baby shower...  She really is blessed!

Family is wonderful!

Cody and Kiara

So much fun!

Mom and Dad-To-Be

Sooooo excited!

HOLIDAY HOOPLA

I'm completely drained. I'm also completely merry and joyful!  We have been partying for almost an entire week...  And here's the overview:
Scott and I absolutely love our calling in the YSA branch!  These kids are super special to us!  I love each and every one of them!  And I'm glad that some of them enjoy coming over to our house to hang out!  We loved feeding, playing games and singing Christmas carols with these cook kids Thursday night!

Cedrick - Andrew - Alexes - Matt

Sister Morris - Sister McEvoy - Jessica - Ionin

Me - Scott

Sister McEvoy is a kindred spirit!

Friday night, Scott, Katia, Amy and I got to get dressed up for the Container Packaging Party at Brazeiros.

We look good!

Love this guy!

Missing 3 other best friends (Mom, G.J. and Kiara)!

But I'm so glad I get to be with two of my BFFs tonight!

Amy - Me - Katia

Brazilian BBQ, baby!  YUMMMMM! And the company was delightful!  I really do enjoy Scott's co-workers!  I took tons of pictures because I love them all!  And the movies this year were hilarious!  My brothers are CRAZY!

Crazy Container Crew!

He's LOVIN' the BBQ!

Scott and Brian

Here's their awkward pic!

Katia - Amy

Jacob

Louis

Pierre - Chris

Blake - Dominique

Brittany

Paige

Mason

Ryan

Marty

Jonathan

What a great bunch of people!

I also took a few pictures earlier in the week of Scott's Kentucky team.  Scott made matching shirts for them all!

The Leads

The Crew

On Saturday we celebrated Hammond's graduation from college... and then we were invited to play with some of my favorite people!  We sure do love this crazy, group!  We played really fun games and ate delicious food!  And it's always great to visit with friends whom we truly love!

Mark - Amy - Katia - Sheba - Jason - Asher

Scott - Maeva - Doug - Trina

Me - Marisa - Mike - Sheila

We got to share Christmas dinner with our YSA kids on Sunday after church.  Have I mentioned that Scott and I love every single one of these guys?!  We also love the men and women we get to serve with!  We are truly blessed.

Karen - Susan - Gail - Me

These two gorgeous girls sang a duet for Church.

They sounded like angels!

Katia - Kali

I love selfies!

(BTW the ugly sweaters were so great that I took pictures of all the participants with their contribution.)

Allison

Sister Morris

Joseph

Sariah

Sister McEvoy

Rachelle

Chelsey

Mark

Jessica

Today I got to go bowling and eat lunch with my Inter-State-Studio "family".  I love my job!  And I love my co-workers!  I'm truly blessed!

Misty - Stephanie - Shanara - Nathan - Lance - Will

Edie - Heather - Misty - Kerri - Penny - Me

Summer

I won!

#bumpersaremyfriend

Great friends/co-workers!

How spoiled have we been this week?!  I feel so fortunate and blessed to have so many people to love at this time of year!  I'm truly grateful for all of these marvelous, wonderful, kind, and fun people in my life!