The party people started arriving at 3pm,

and the rest of the evening was filled with laughter and fizzy drinks and delicious food and friends and sisters.  (And no naps - which meant that Harper slept through dinner, and missed the ball dropping.) This tradition has become my absolute favorite. I love that our group is getting bigger and next year we will need two rooms.  I love that my kids get to spend time with the people who they love the most and are loved right back.  I love that this year I finally got my first new year's kiss from the Mister - actually at midnight. 

So much love.  So much gratitude.  Ring a ding dong, 2016.  We are ready.

Waking up on New Year's Eve Day 2016, we knew we would need to get the kiddos out of the hotel and find some sort of activity.  There were a few options.  Matt and B wanted to hit up the roller coasters at MOA, and T and I were inclined to attend the fairy exhibit at the Swedish Institute.  Surprisingly, the boys won this one, and we packed into the truck with three kids, three adults, one dog and a Nut, and headed for the biggest mall in America.

I know what you are thinking...  It sounds like a terrible idea to send the kids to a giant, indoor, over stimulating theme park on the day of the eve that they intend to stay up until midnight, eating chocolate and drinking sparkling cider.  A terribly good idea.

The Grand new year tradition continues, and was extended as the kiddos and I hit up the city a day early. Matt and T got Bennett a day on the slopes - which might just be the best present ever - and this gift also got me a day with my bestie - totally the best present ever.

We arrived at 10am, and the boys were off within minutes; both sporting silly grins. T, Lo, H and I took the scenic route so we could be the first through the Surly doors.

After a quick check on the sweet little Nut, we went to our grand hotel home for presents, and crafts and chocolates - and no word from the mighty snowboarders... They arrived a few hours later, with rosy cheeks, tired eyes and still those silly grins.

When Lola saw B, all was right in the world.

But, I could have told her that hours ago.

So, the Littlest Nut is arriving next week.  We can't even believe it, and are so excited for our newest member.  Harper asked me every single day, "Is it Lola's sister's birthday today??"  I keep telling her "maybe...", but I should probably just say her birthday is January 6th (as scheduled, because we know, all births go exactly as scheduled...)

I have been working on a  lovely blanket for the Nut for weeks - I actually started in in November thinking I would have it ready just in case - and while I noticed a stitch dropped here and there, I though it was not a big deal...  Ummmm... yeah, it actually ended up being a problem, and while I'm sure T's sweet sweet babe will really have no issues with a blanket that is a bit - dare I say "wavy"? It was  driving me Nuts.  (pun intended) Unless, January 6th ends up being a birthday celebration, your first gift may just been a little late... 

So, take your time, baby.  GG's got some work to do.

It took all of my strength and will power to not disassemble Christmas from the 1407 yesterday.  I really wanted those trees down, gifts put away, and our house back to normal.  However, the Mister had other plans that included movies, football and a nap...  We compromised, and I crocheted.  But, as soon as he left for work the following morning, I enlisted the help of my peeps - and down came the trees, and away went the gifts, and we slowly slowly regained our sanity.

My latest obsession, thanks to Nicole Safar, is the musical "Hamilton". When she told me about the playbill, that intertwines the story of the founding fathers - in particular Alexander Hamilton - and the musical genre of hip hop, I laughed out loud. Seriously. What kind of big fat nerd would spend years researching and writing the story of A. Hamilton set to hip hop? And what kind of bigger nerd would become obsessed with the lyrical genius of the aforementioned nerd? Omgosh. It is pure lyrical genius, and I can't stop listening. And, we are so buying tickets and heading to NYC this summer, Colie.

Rise up!

The Prose Children receive four gifts from their parentals. WANT:

WEAR:

NEED: (soap, toothbrush, tooth paste, bath poofy thing)

READ:

and we try to FEED

them, too.

This year, Bennett asked Santa for a fainting goat for Christmas. Santa told B that he doesn't usually deliver farm animals, but he would see what he could do. Santa did not disappoint.

Well played, Santa. Well played.

 Christmas Day started with Mass and a quick trip around the lake to check out the latest real estate. With the perfect holiday movie, opening of treasures from Santa, and sledding keeping everyone busy for the rest of the day.  Rose Lake was filled with laughter and love and cheers to Grandpa.