is how I feel as I say farewell to 2015. Such a good year and yet I see the potential for better (it can be a curse-ask Joe). But one specific hope is to be a better friend to those near and far. This morning, when the mail lady rang the doorbell with a package from France I was squealing like a kid. My pen pal from France- Helene- and I had lost touch. We met via my seventh grade French teacher requiring us each to have a pen pal. We stayed in touch all through high school, into college, where we eventually met in France (1999). She is this amazing girl who taught me how to be a long distance friend through letters and packages and photographs. We both married men named Joseph and had children. Somewhere along there we lost touch and until this year (thank you Facebook) I assumed she was lost- until she reached out to Joe.She sent lovely gifts for each of my children and I am thrilled to be back in touch with her. She is one of many ladies I love but don’t live close enough to hang out with.

Not to mention the lovely friends I have in my life now that are sometimes hard to find time to be with. I want to spend time cultivating those relationships that keep me sane. I don’t need more friends (or shoes or stationary or books) I just need to take care of the ones I have been given.

From an ocean and a continent away I am so thankful for Helene.

cupcake
to match my pajamas.

We managed to squeeze in just a little bit of this nostalgic past between Barstow and Victorville.
Joe loves the run down and closed up shops. The train tracks running parallel with the road.I wanted to see the Bottle Tree Ranch.The very first sign we saw getting out of the car was an invitation of sorts.Easy enough to find on the side of the road.This is such a lovely and fun yard of art.The shadows were long and wintery.The kids were thrilled to touch and pull and poke at the art.A magical playground.Olivine took a long time deciding which rock she wanted to adoptand I kept thinking about how the shadows resembled the designer Orla Kiely’s flowers.This place is worth the detourand my family gave it five stars.I could have stayed much longer and will definitely find an excuse to wander back here at some point in the future.

The morning after Christmas we piled into the car and drove into the desert. We wanted a change of scenery and are lucky enough to have family members who own a place out in Las Vegas to stay in. Part of the hassle in travel becomes where to stay and can we cook there. This was Perfect. Thanks Aunt Kathy & Uncle Chris!We went to the strip (old and new) mostly to walk the streets.I love crowds, flashing lights, and city life. We saw the volcano show in front of the Mirage
and walked through the Venetian. Our kids wanted to watch every puppet, magician, or impersonator they could.And of course they wanted to shop (but we only looked). Olivine loved that the colors and sunglasses on these puppies.We also explored the surrounding parts, something Joe and I have never done together. That meant visiting the Hoover Dam and looking over the edge, which made our legs shake.The crisp air and big skies made for awesome views.We also rode an old train after wandering into some Indian trading posts.One of the days we explored Red Rock Canyon, a nearby National Conservation Area.The kids were junior rangers and wore buttons in pride.The snow still on the ground made me smile.Hiking around on the trails was a highlight of our trip.The rangers gave us good tips and the kids were let loose, whereas in the crowds we held them close. Parts of the path are bridged because in the summer there are creeks and rivers.
It was gorgeous.
We took our time and really soaked in the fresh air.I will brag that these little ones spent hours talking and looking out the window. They drew in their notebooks and asked questions about what they were seeing (solar farms in the desert).They also took turns napping because schedules were off a bit and we went to bed later than normal, because there was so much to see. That usually means random day sleeping because they woke up in the mornings at the same time.

waking up to hear whispering children and find them huddled together not ready to peek out in the living room. They are the kind of kids who like to let anticipation build.watching them open stockings.a little boy being over the moon to receive a bathrobe and a coffee mug.a homemade batch of french toast.

that Grammy packed extras from last night’s party for the kids.that egg nog is in high demand around here.

Merry Christmas.

An afternoon with friends at the park and an evening at Grammy’s.We are wishing you and yours a happy holiday.Enjoy those you love.

This many days into our break, feeling better, we are easing into the free time in the morning.There is a leisurely, do as we please, atmosphere.And always some wildness thrown in because in our house we love to laugh.Before I can even compliment her name writing and Christmas tree drawing she is off and running. It’s Christmas Eve and there is excitement in the air.

defined as awe-inspiring, admiring, astounding, marvelous, surprised…a miracle.

Our days were busy until I came down with the stomach flu. I have been mostly in bed the last couple days. This evening I made it to the couch and noticed a little boy busy typing up a story.Meanwhile Henry built a temple for Olivine to play in.
They will keep themselves busy as I rest and hydrate.

Kindergarten is a fascinating age of discovery and curiosity. Sometimes I love just watching my middle bear. He loves ramen and noodles, just like his papa. I can mix in veggies and that’s lunch.He has an obsession with making notes for Santa. He has drawn several pictures and is ready to leave them out on Christmas Eve. His test is that if they are gone, Santa is real.Also he has a sweet friend who he adores. These two are peas in a pod. They like to race on their classwork and climb on the monkey bars at recess. I snapped this at pick up.I am looking forward to school ending for two weeks. A little more time with this guy, who has to correct me when I say he is five. Is he really already six?