Homestead in the Hood: wrap up the old year and bring in the new year

the past two months since we arrived home have been busy busy busy! we knew it would be since we were coming home in the midst of the holidays. in addition to the known busy holidays we have been slammed with unbelievable snow storm after snow storm after snow storm!

our house early on in the snow storm madness

it was really good to be home for the holidays and spend it with the smiling faces of family and friends. here is a little glimpse of our holidays.....

decorating holiday cookies with the usual suspects....

see santa knew we were home! a timbers outfit for riley and a mermaid tail for lucy

cousins

my 93 year old grandma is still rockin it!

kids table!

ian's table!

my cousin trevor and his sweet little guy james.....he's at that super super cute age!

the new year brought us a visit from todd's dad and step-mom who helped us ring in the new year with a gathering of good friends.

grandpa dierker and grandma lynn visit

happy new year!!!

then we celebrated lucy's 10th birthday! we are officially a household of double digits now! she is particularly smitten with kittens right now so requested a kitty cat cake....and had friends for a sleep-over help her celebrate.

the next morning found them playing on the trampoline in the snow!

and just a few days after lucy's birthday we celebrated my mom's 70th. her husband george managed to sneak in a wonderful party between snow storms....and it was a surprise!! a lovely celebration....

mom loves pillows and todd loves veggies....he thought it was a perfect gift!

the rest of january has been snow snow snow. the kids have been off of school due to the holidays plus weather closures more than they have been in school. however the few days of school they have had planted them back at the table doing homework.