Thanksgiving was late this year, and I suggested that we go get our trees BEFORE turkey day.  When the suggestions didn't work, I tried begging.   Then, I tried pleading, persuading... But each attempt was utterly unsuccessful.   We made plans to go tree hunting with Papa and Grandma,  AFTER Thanksgiving, and everyone was super excited because we love helping Grandma find the fattest tree in the field.  But, a blizzard foiled that plan, so we ended up at the local tree farm, on the hunt for our trees.  (Tree"S", because of course,  Harps wanted a little tree in her room, and we just can't deny that request.)

We had the obligatory "long needle vs short needle" discussion, and settled on a short needle this year, because we had a long needle last year.  (We didn't have a long needle last year, but for some reason everyone thinks we did.)   We chopped our trees, and threw them in the truck, and brought them home to rest.  

  A few hours later, I was in my happy place.

Thanksgiving 2019

Rose Lake

💗

Finally!  Finally!  Finally!!  We (and when I say "we", I mean everyone except me.) has been anxiously anticipating getting out to the mountain!  And, as soon as we unpacked our hunting gear, we packed up our skiing gear, and found it was just like riding a bike (some of us can ride better than others).  I love them so, and I love how much they love to ski, so I will keep pretending like I do.😂

The annual boot hunt of 2019 did not disappoint.  We were able to fill our tags, can't say as much for the boys...  Maybe one year they will be as successful as us, but not this one.

Your birthdays have evolved from rumpleminz to roombas, and each year I love celebrating with you more.   Happy 43, Mr. Prose.

Bennett is really loving his Language Arts class.   They have been learning about the Great Depression, and this week he had to plan, shop and prepare a "depression" meal.  The meal had to feed a family of four, and have a salad, main course, and desert. - ALL FOR UNDER $10.  If any spices were to be used, he could only spend $8, and I told him he had to use spices.

 The final menu included: cucumber salad, noodles with tomato sauce, flapjacks and chocolate pudding for dessert.  The food was filling, and presented perfectly.  Pretty sure he'll get an A (and we will have a snack before bedtime).

We couldn't let 13 pass without a celebration.  And, we knew it couldn't just be any old preteen celebration - it had to be a celebration worthy of a total and legit teenager.  So, the day was planned with 13 of the Boy's favorite things.

1.  13 Balloons (all environmentally friendly, of course)

2.  Bacon (need I say more?)

3.  An entire game of Monopoly (no cheating, quitting or mortgaging properties allowed,)

 Aside note: being blindfolded between each destination was a requirement by the you know who.

 4.  Bowling (which may or may not have included a beer for those of legal age)

5.  Barnes and Noble (this was the only stop that a time limit was strongly enforced, or we never would have made it to #6)

 6.  Scheels (to pine over snowboard gear)

7.  Boulder Tap House (per requested by the birthday boy, an early dinner at his favorite tap house that serves tacos)

 8.  Cake and Buttercream Frosting (made from scratch, with extra love)

 9-13.  Presents (legos, and chapstick, and snowboarding supplies, pistachios)

 Don't believe the stereotypes - teenagers aren't that bad.