Minus the cold temperatures and the wind, we had a great time in South Dakota. It was full of good food and great friends and family. We spent an afternoon ice fishing with Uncle Jack, Derreck won the ugly Christmas sweater contest at Stella's, and we ate like royalty. 

We spent a few days with both families. As I was unpacking our gifts and putting them under our tree, I was thinking about how thankful we are. 

This holiday season I am thankful for families who adore us and love sending us back to Colorado with lots of goodies. 

I am thankful for friends who meet you for coffee, lunch or happy hour with a minute's notice.

I am thankful for childhood ornaments which adorned my mom's Christmas tree. 

I am thankful that Derreck and I grew up in, essentially, the same place. It's so convenient to see both families with only having to drive 15 minutes. And when we reminisce and tell funny stories about growing up, we get how funny it is because we know the people involved. We never have to worry about going somewhere and not having someone to visit with.

I am thankful for long car rides with my husband, which gives us lots of time to talk about how we would change the world if we won the lottery, New Year's resolutions, finances, and babies. And don't get too excited…it ended with Derreck wanting to adopt a baby from Africa so he can play for the Broncos. Reason #25 that we aren't ready for children.

Bailey and Addie were buddies for the week. 

And I have no other pictures from the week because all the others were sent on Snapchat. Another reason, I'm not necessarily a fan. 

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and will have a fabulous New Year. Here's to 2014!

10 days until Christmas…Yikes! I still need to pick up a few gifts and get an oil change this week. We will be busy as we wrap up business at work and get ready to head back to SD for a week. We are so excited to be back for a whole week! 

This is what happens when Derreck makes pancakes. 

And of course, pancakes for Bailey. This was before she made the mess in the next picture. 

This is what happens when you leave your dog locked in the bathroom for 10 hours. We are still wondering if this kept her busy all day or if it took her 10 minutes.

That is 7 rolls of toilet paper! But she didn't freeze in the 3 degree weather last week so that's a plus, and I suppose that we should be thankful that she didn't touch the laundry detergent or clorox that was on the shelf. Thank God for nice weather this week. 

Since we cancelled our anniversary trip to the mountains last weekend, we spent our refund on Broncos tickets for the Thursday night game against the Chargers. Well it definitely wasn't the best game we have seen, but it was still fun.  And it never fails, there was a guy decked out in Packers gear at the game.

As part of my teacher induction process, I got to go observe at another school for a day. Our instructional coach suggested a great teacher in the district, and in that class was Angie Braun's little girl. What a doll and such a great student. What a small world! 

Merry Christmas! I hope everyone has a fabulous Holiday season.

We survived hosting our first Thanksgiving! And nobody got sick so I will chalk that up as a win. And then here is our last two weeks in pictures. 

We celebrated our 1 year anniversary. We celebrated with my family and then were planning on spending a weekend in Estes Park until the weather interfered.  But home is just as fun with Derreck around.  His toast, "Cheers to a Broncos Superbowl." And that is why I love him! 

Our best attempt at a Christmas photo. 

Thanksgiving Dinner. Er, I mean lunch. I get made fun of at work for saying dinner when I'm referring to lunch. 

Derek and Kate playing pool. Mom and Derek played at one table while Kate, Derreck and I played at the other. 

Anniversary lunch at The Melting Pot. Yum! 

Merry Christmas!

This was probably the highlight of our weekend. Grandma and Mom trying sushi for the first time! Hilarious! And they both liked it.

Look at this cute package I received in the mail. I get to be in Jeremy and Kellie's wedding! Woohoo! So excited to have a sister-in-law. 

This weeks happenings in Mrs. Martin's Classroom: 

We were singing Feliz Navidad as a class and a boy thought the words were "Release mommy's dog!" Priceless.

The kids got a new seating arrangement during Thanksgiving break. A boy was really confused and asked me how I cut the tables apart. I was really confused. He had a legit argument, but after a 5 minute discussion he finally understood that I just moved the name tags and didn't cut the tables apart and put them back together. 

"______________, you need to put your coat on before you go outside." 
"No, I don't. My fat will keep me warm."