Christmas 2012

Another Christmas is in the books! It was a nice relaxing, traditional holiday for us all with Elisabeth in town to join George, Therese/Oma, and us! Here's the pictorial summary. First pics are at Oma's house Christmas Eve.

Annual cookie baking-a-thon

It was endurance cookie baking weekend. They will be packaged up and handed off to teachers and neighbors. It was about 48 dozen of four different kinds: chocolate crinkle cookies, chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies, and cranberry-walnut-oatmeal cookies. YUMMMM!!!!  We had a great system going and parchment paper is my favorite! It sure makes it go smoothly.

Pets

Who says cats and dogs can't get along....and even like each other?

Town of Blacksburg Holiday Parade

Grant and I went with the Solar Connexion float to hand out candy along the parade route. The float won an honorable mention, but I still think it was THE coolest one out there, with lights powered by solar-charged batteries.

My part was to have the idea and register the float (5 minutes). Bryan and his family got the lights, did the decorating, fixed the hitch, got the candy and baskets (8+ hours?).

Puzzle #1 of the season is complete!

1000 pieces, our favorite.

Updates on the Entrepreneur

Grant got his first "corporate" check for a big raking job he did for Shelter Alternatives. He worked there 5 days in a row, after school and on weekends!

He also received a reply back from his letter to Warren Buffett. He basically sent the letter back, with this note written on the top. It was kind of a cool way to do it, so Grant will have the original letter and his autograph both together!

What a kid!

VT String Project Winter Concert

Enjoy! Spencer is the front-most cello!



This is all the VT String Project kids from first years through fifth years. Spencer is in his fifth year. It's been amazing to see the progression from year to year. I'm just glad he enjoys it as much as he does.

Thanksgiving 2012

We had a great visit in Avon Lake, OH with the start of some new traditions. With the family expanding to include a boyfriend and now fiance, and kids putting in work hours over the holidays, it made sense to move the action to Ohio. We had great weather and Evan and I ran our third annual Turkey Dash together!