Winter Break

Our winter break has been AWESOME! School got out on the 21st, so Christmas was near the start of our break, which means we've had lots of down time after the holidays. We didn't travel this year for the holidays. Instead, we enjoyed quiet time at home with lots of catching up on resting and just being together that we desperately needed after a busy fall semester. 

Sara modeled her cozy new gear sold by the cheer booster club for social media. The girls have worked hard this year to rebuild the booster club's bank account, which had been left depleted by former coaches/parents. Looking forward to seeing them cheer again soon at basketball games! 

The last day of the semester was a 1/2 day. Emma got home and jumped right into food prep! She made some delicious chex mix and gingerbread cookie dough. Cookie decorating took place the following day, in time for guests and Santa.

I had to snap a photo of the house all lit up. We are definitely Team Colored Lights here!

On Christmas Eve, we had a few friends and neighbors over for appetizers and the Cowboys game. It was a great time! Here's the ONE photo we managed ... not our best effort.

Christmas morning was exciting, as always. I didn't do well taking pictures then, either, but Santa was good to everyone.

We received a new air fryer from G&G, so Emma launched into trying a donut recipe. Yum!

Christmas was a lot for Jim. Company, presents, food ... this guy was worn out!

Sara has practiced lots of driving over the break, and she's doing a great job! We've moved on from empty parking lots to neighborhood streets, side roads, and backing out of the garage.

Steve, Emma, and I met up with our DFW Cyclones to watch the bowl game. It wasn't a win, but we had a good time.

This image made me laugh ... tell me you're at a game watch with Iowans without telling me ...

New Year's Eve was probably one of my favorite nights of the break. We had a delicious dinner at one of our favorite spots, LaHa, and then spent the chilly evening outside with the solo stove burning.

It was a great night for the fire and watching the ball drop, and I was thankful for this celebratory night at home with my family.

On New Year's Day, I made a new black-eyed pea recipe. It was super good and I'm sure will bring us lots of luck in the new year!

Outside of the big festivities, we were busy with lots of little things. I did a major cleanout of several closets, resulting in filling up our trash can and making two big Goodwill runs. It felt like such a literal weight off! We ate out at our favorite spots, Steve and I enjoyed several day dates, and we did some shopping. Emma and friends scored a pickleball net from some people at the park, Sara had plenty of social time, and Steve and I joined a new gym just down the road from the old one. I spent a little time at my new school, and will continue to spend some time there this spring in preparation for next year. We slept in, watched movies, read books, and just soaked up all of the break. It couldn't have been better!