Shades of Big Sky

you haven't heard music until you've listened to bobby & jane and friends play. it is a musical and spiritual experience like nothing else. since they moved to new mexico, the opportunities are rare, but last night we were treated to a house concert and it was just like old times. songs and laughter flowed, and even the kids picked up instruments and joined in. the perfect antidote for mid-holiday blues.

Gingerbread Hell

the kids rescued an expired box from the garage and forged their way through hardened food coloring and uncooperative cookie panels in an attempt to construct a festive gingerbread house. the time ended with hands caked in icing; cat gnawing on the roof adornments; and the declaration that this project was a present sent from the devil. happy holidays!

A&F kids?

getting dressed for the christmas band concert in their white-and-black attire last night, zephyr and mesa eschewed the more traditional pose i was trying to capture in favor of doing their best abercrombie & fitch model imitations. never a dull moment.

Christmas Cookies

after a flurry of activities the past several weeks, this weekend finally felt like a december weekend should. no swim meets, tennis tournaments, music lessons, or orchestra concerts. just time to relax and get in the holiday spirit. we spent an entire afternoon continuing a long-standing tradition--making and decorating more cookies than we could possibly consume.

Molly Moon Winner

this summer mesa took the molly moon book challenge, sponsored by jewel tree, llc, and won a time-stopping crystal necklace. you can view her comments on how she would make the world a better place on their web site. we finally got around to taking a picture of her wearing the necklace, as requested. since we happened to be decorating the christmas tree at the time, it turned out to be a seasonal photo. her neckline is now on display on their home page. and while you're at it, check out the cool inspired jewelry.

Apples to Apples

we have tried playing various board and card games when family and friends gather, but one in particular is consistently the group favorite--apples to apples. it can accommodate large numbers, plus the kids are on equal footing. and it can be quite challenging to think like others, especially when people like mesa consider milk a "superhero." so as the next round of holiday parties approaches, that's our recommendation for a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

Turkey Day

happy thanksgiving! hope there is brilliant color to be found amidst any possible bleakness today and that you can celebrate with the people you want to be around--whether it is friends, family, or chosen family.

Big D

the road warriors are back. we drove to dallas for the weekend to see henry compete in tisca, a large state meet. his medley relay team moved on to the next day and took fourth in consolation. not bad for the minnows from lubbock swimming in a big pond. the rest of the weekend consisted of good food, friends, family, and fun. you know you're not in lubbock anymore when you can buy a bottle of wine at the movie theater.

Fast-Forward

ever feel like your life is moving at an accelerated pace? some seasons just seem to drag by, day after agonizingly-average day ...and then the universe throws everything at you at once and laughs, "ha...you thought things were boring...try this!" well, it is one of those times when every new day brings another surprise or gift or or challenge. we are just doing our best to keep up. it is one helluva ride, that's for sure. one piece of good news is that two years after miriam finished her master's degree, she will be starting doctoral work at tech, thanks to a full scholarship for the first year. not only is it a great opportunity, but the kids are excited to have easy access to a rec center membership again.

All-Region

the activities never cease. saturday afternoon josie (third chair, cello) and zephyr (fourth chair, percussion) were part of the all-region orchestra concert. with tryouts all day last weekend and practice all day this weekend, it was a time-consuming event for them. students from hutch far outnumbered those from the other schools--a tribute to the quality music programs at their middle school.