New Year's Eve

 So we are closing out yet another year - probably won't make it up til midnight with the way I've been feeling...

 These guy won't make it either I bet - ha!

 But today we cooked - what's become a New Year's tradition for us - we cook a Polish spread - kielbasa, pierogies, golabki..yum!  This year we topped it off with Babci cookies...

 I had two helpers chopping almonds...

 and dipping sprinkles...

 So yummy!

 As we pass on traditions, I reflect on 2016...
lots of change (Morgan's new job - more travel, different/new responsibilities, new adventures with the girls - wrapping up and starting school years - still hard to believe that Emily's in high school now!, Nora trying out swim team, new puppy, Emily driving, Nora in her last year of elementary school, Rose not such a baby anymore!)...
but  some things the same (busy, on the run lots, Girl Scouts, piano lessons, dance class, choir, art class, First lego league teams, PTA, volunteering, teaching preschool, whew!)
I think of our adventures this year (TX to see the Mammoths, out west visiting Hoover Dam, Griffith's Observatory, the Pacific Ocean, Sequoia National Park, King's Canyon National Park, Yosemite National Park, Great Basin National Monument and Dinosaur National Monument, then to Florida for all our family fun, the beach, Kennedy Space Center, Disney fun... ) which makes me want to start planning 2017's adventures (love my maps!!)..
Many people talk of all the wrongs in the world, all the losses but in my little world, we're happy, healthy, we enjoy each other's company, we have family we get to see each summer-if not more often (how soon will July be here?!)  ... I know the reality of next year being 5 years since Steve passed (sigh...) time keeps on ticking... and with each day a new adventure, joy, trial, you never know what you'll wake up to... but I feel very fortunate to have my girls, and Morgan and family that loves us and our crazy crew!

 I look forward to more family fun in 2017 - new adventures and joys - hope for time for some projects I have tucked away - always enjoy texts, calls, email, FB posts from family afar... don't forget, there's always a room open at the Ware B&B!

 So - Happy New Year's Eve from our family to your's... enjoy your evening and welcome 2017 bright and early in the morning!

Hanging out

 Just random pictures of our day - I've been trying everything to keep the stuffiness at bay...

 Fort building...

 3 days down... 2 to go!

Sniffles

 I feel like we are back to school already - yesterday Emily started her driving classes... for those of you that have been there with us  - it's up next to Lin's Garden - so twice a day we are heading up there... not a lovely drive and we are up and out early to get there.. whew!   A little taste of reality!  Ugh!
Yesterday Nora had swim practice..

 and these two went on and on with "Would you Rather?" at lunch... figured they'd be there til dinner time!

 but then it just seemed to be time - I am feeling icky... tired of the clutter... and just ready to have the house clean again - so I took advantage of Morgan being home and took down the Christmas decorations...

 and the tree hit the curb...

 and the girls enjoyed having the living room back to normal too... more space to play "Just Dance"!

 This morning I started on some extra Vitamin C - been sneezing all day and just feel so stuffy!

 Nora was busy creating an updated salon in her room...

 then we spent most of the rest of the afternoon working on Rose's room - shelves worked their way down from Emily's and Nora's room and ended up in Rose's...

 Then it was time to get Emily - she drove us home (well, most of the way) - I need to utilize our "student driver' sticker though... boy, those other drivers are so impatient...very frustrating... she handled it very well though!

 Back home for more Wii fun...

 and a finishing touch on the sewing room...

 and sharing some silly videos (Crazy Frog Axel F)...

to wrap up our mid-week... sad news of Carrie Fisher and now Debbie Reynolds... but then a note of inspiration - Erica shared this with me, Rich and Maggie... the marvels of FB and seeing everyone's thoughts (well, those that want to share them) - but I think it's wonderful the effect that Steve still has on people.. always an inspiration!

Project MC2

 This morning started early with a little reader joining me in bed - Rose was so excited about a book she got yesterday, she started her day off reading away...

 then onto some breakfast fun and Nora creating a snap circuit project that uses the music on her walkman to create the light display - plus it "moves" to the beat.. so cool!

 Most of the afternoon was spent doing Project MC2 projects while watching the show...

 so lots of science experiments...

 and lots of fun...

 Emily completed her bookshelves by putting up all  her books around her room...

She even painted her shelves for over her desk too... 

Rose and her dragon... 

 and then some fun times at Red Robin...

 Tomorrow morning we'll be up and out early - 1st day of Driving school for Emily!