December 1
Schemmel House
Relaxing after a nap. That's right, she slept in those tiny sneakers.
December 2
Kitchen
This may look like a big mess, but it's actually electrical progress.
December 3
Office
Right after a major "oh shit" moment. (I read a deadline wrong, and what I thought said December 13 actually said December 3.) I was planted here for two days.
December 4
Kitchen
I got up only for meals and quick stretch breaks. I think I can tolerate raw beets in smoothies because of the beautiful color they make.
December 5
Party City
Holy cow candy heaven! Molly and I went for piñata supplies and oogling. I'm not sure if I could handle this if I was a kid.
December 6
Smith House
Loudon County, VA
This time every year, we travel to Northern Virginia to get our Christmas tree at the fire station Andy used to volunteer at. We usually stay with his cousins one night and some friends the other night. Here's our cousin-nephew we're meeting for the first time. Sleeping.
December 7
Fire Station
Purcellville, VA
Picking out a beauty and freezing our tooties off!
December 8
West End, Richmond
Our first (and only so far) real taste of winter weather for the season. It was minor and barely lasted an afternoon.
December 9
Living Room
After the decorations are done and the Christmas movies are watched!
December 10
Sunroom
Andy's birthday is coming up and I've got this surprise planned. Here's the beginning of that piñata I mentioned earlier.
December 11
Upstairs
We relocated so we could keep things top secret. Molly made the tail and attached it! (It kind of blends in with the comforter.)
December 12
Cyborg Room
Christmas cards are arriving! I really enjoy the annual switch-out on the fridge and seeing how much all these sweet kids have grown.
December 13
The Whitten's
I finally found a way I can tolerate this chore, which is my least favorite: Man the blower.
December 14
The Bott's
An eight-year-old's birthday party. American Girl themed. Very entertaining.
December 15
AMF Lanes
A thirty-year-old's birthday party. Bowling. Also very entertaining.
December 16
Sunroom
Coat of paint applied. All we need is the fringe! Really, we are quite please with our work.
December 17
Kitchen
My favorite. Meat pie. I'm kidding.
December 18
Cyborg Room
Here he is! And here's the party! Why the whale piñata, you ask? Well, Andy has always wanted to harpoon a whale and I hope to goodness this is the closest he ever gets.
December 19
Sunroom
Party clean up isn't so bad when this is what the trash looks like.
December 20
Schemmel House
Adah is getting baptized in a week and luckily she is still small enough to fit into the gown that all these family members have worn since 1972. It's a duplicate of the original my mother and her siblings wore.
December 21
The River
I watched the sun set from the dock while Andy made a mantle in the shop. You can just barely see the first star shining.
December 22
Peterson House
I fell asleep on the floor when I was supposed to be making cookies. I woke up to this right above me. Uncle Bjorn was taking a nap too.
December 23
Living Room
The Rollers did a secret Santa exchange and this is me with my gift (and in my robe, don't judge)!
December 24
Another Schemmel House
My sister and her in-laws have been kind enough to adopt me the past two years on Christmas Eve while Andy worked. These cousins love each other.
December 25
Jefferson Hotel
The Frost-Schemmel-Smith ladies go touristy. I'm sorry I can't ever make a real smile. I think my face is stuck like that...
December 26
Living Room
Christmas continues! Andy and I exchanged our stockings and he was super excited about all the travel toiletries (or condiments, as I keep wanting to say) I got him. Also, we both got each other salt and pepper shakers. Dinosaurs and owls are battling it out on our dining room table now.
December 27
Schemmel House
Christmas continues! This is what happens when he tells my sister he wants a Baywatch calendar.His new most exciting gift.
December 28
Schrader Lanes
Peterson family Christmas bowling. My father-in-law is way cool.
December 29
Sunroom
I guess it's inherent in kids to enjoy sitting in laundry baskets. I sure remember liking it.
December 30
Kitchen
I'm sorry this is not exciting. But at least you all know that we had curry for dinner. Let me share something with you. There's avocado in there. Try it and you'll thank me. (Well, you'll really need to thank Sammy.)
December 31
Larkum House
The newest addition to our potluck group: Hazel! She might also be the best dressed.
I guess that wraps up another year. Can't say I'm too disappointed to see this one go. It's been full of trials, but also a lot of people to help get through those trials and fill the rest of the time with laughs, love, and fun. So for that, I'm grateful. But it's funny how going to bed one night and waking up the next day can make you feel so refreshed, hopeful, and ready. Just because the year changed.
Cheers.
