Looking Forward

Two Thousand Twelve was quite a year for us

Bonnie came to live with us

Dave came home after a long 7 months

We celebrated birthdays

almost built a house

Took classes to learn new skills

Did some DIY furniture magic

kicked a ball around

Did some sightseeing

Spent some time in the hills

Suffered a loss and weathered another long stretch apart

bought a home

spent some time in the woods

Spent some time on the beach

stopped to smell the flowers

Sent the little one to preschool

Spent time with family

Watched some life changing events

Bought some new wheels

I'm tired.  I'm excited for the new year.  I'm making garden plans.  I'm still looking at paint chips.  I'm crossing my fingers Dave might be home for 365 straight.  I'm charting new quilt ideas.  I'm hoping to make more pickles.  I'm wishing for more rain.  I'm planning to avoid any more root canals. 

Christmas on Copperlane

We've had a wonderful Christmas!  

 It snowed lightly all day Christmas Eve!  I love watching out this huge window while I work in my kitchen.  

 While we waited for dinner we played Wii. Nathan is pretty good at the sword games and bowling.

 Our traditional Christmas Eve dinner.

 Our little elf

 Nathan was very excited to set out cookies and milk for Santa

 The stockings were we stuffed!

 This was Nate's.  Brad Keselowski! 

 Santa brought Nate a LeapPad!  

 This morning our white Christmas was perfect!  

 There was fresh snow with just a few bunny tracks!

 Nate slept in!  I had coffee going, Christmas music on, a fake fire on the tv, and cinnamon rolls in the oven before I went to wake him!  He was pretty sleepy still!

 Then he started waking up in a hurry!

 Raiding his stocking!

 Drumsticks!

 Brad Keselowski!!

 So many great gifts!  He was so happy.  I asked him what his favorite gift was and he listed off 6 things! He just loved everything, he even gave Bonnie a hug for the socks she gifted him.... you know to replace all of them she put holes in, which would be every single one.

 Our living room after.   

 We enjoyed a nice breakfast.... The boys went out to shovel and play with the neighbor boys....

 Then we had a ham dinner.  

Now that the dishes are done, and I've got the occasion blogged I'm going to fart around.  I would guess Nate will be occupied for a week, so I think I hear my sewing table calling!

Holiday Express

 We went to the hills yesterday to take a magical ride on the Holiday Express!  

 I'm glad we didn't go last year while Dave was gone, so we could go as a family this year!

 The train rode into the woods where Santa jumped on.  

It was a very exciting train ride!

 He handed out bells to the children.

Mrs. Claus passed out candy canes and his elves handed out hot chocolate and cookies...

It was a great Christmas memory.  I hope we can go again next year.  

1st Annual Pickle Game

 Have you been to a Christmas party where there was a hidden pickle on the tree?  I went to one once, and it was the funnest thing I had ever heard of!  So in the spirit of making family traditions we started one tonight.  

 I hid the pickle on the tree.  I also got two prizes...... The boys lined up. Ready! Set! GO!

 Dave cheated, how mature

 It was an exciting race to find the pickle first!  

 Anna got swept up in the excitement and started humping Dave.

 This is Dave when he spotted the pickle, but wanted to let Nate find it.  

 Looking!!

 FOUND IT!

 THE PICKLE WINNER 2012

 He got to open his pickle prize... Dave has to wait till Christmas to open his pickle present....

 This is Nate jumping up and down when he realized it is a tabletop air hockey set.... 

The boys promptly tried it out!  I'm sure it will be an evening game for a while.