True Blue Skaters

 Sadly, the ward ice skating tradition has run its course. I can't imagine why! 

What's that? You aren't super stoked to get your babies out of bed at 9 pm and drive into the city to freeze your buns off and have an oatmeal raisin cookie and scalding hot cocoa? Porque no?

WELL FINE. 

We'll go by ourselves.

And we'll have WAY more fun. Just watch. 

(well, I'll watch...cuz I don't actually like ice skating)

I'm super smart and forced them to take a photo before they all skated off in their own directions.

Oy! I love these people!

Mathew was whipping around the rink swapping hats.

Mark was out of the running too...knee surgery will do that.

Everly did exactly one loop around before she decided it was way more fun to sit with Ethan and watch funny videos. Ironically, I would agree. But Mathew, Megan, Laney and AJ all went the distance. 

In honor of the the three oldest being in town for the holidays, we went to BD's Mongolian for dinner! I foolishly thought that the gift cards I got from Costco would cover it. I misjudged. Cha-ching!

We ordered 4 big brownie desserts to share! Time to pair up!

A Hufford Musical Evening Lives On!

 I love this tradition!

I know we've missed it a few years in the past, but this year I was feeling up to it. Mostly, that just means that I need to get invitations out early and then I will be forced to prepare as the date gets closer....this also applies to birthday parties, Eagle Schout courts of honor and graduation open houses. Just get the thing on the calendar and the rest will follow. 

This year at the Hufford Musical Evening:

A snack spread sponsored by our excess Christmas plates, the meats and cheeses from the Wachter basket and a few low-cost/high labor additions...dinner rolls and an almond cake. We through together a crock pot of lil smokies for good measure. 

The Flynns brought macarons and Meg wasn't mad about it!

 

AJ and Everly warm up for their number with a touch of high level yoga.

AJ and Everly, Angels We Have Heard On High - handbells

 

Everly, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - handbells

Megan, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen arrangement - piano

Jessica Hurst - violin

Sheilah Clarke - ASL 

Mark and Maren, Angel's We Have Heard on High - guitar and viola

And my favorite...everyone just hanging around and playing carols together. 💕

I admit, I'm feeling very proud of myself for planning ahead and making this one happen! 

Gingerbread Condos

 I cannot tell you how grateful I am that the major retailers have responded to my deep need to have gingerbread "houses" NOT be houses every year.  We've done the big house, we've done the mini houses and the trees. We've gone with graham crackers and a couple years in a row, pretended we might make the gingerbread from scratch...that's so adorable.  They say hope springs eternal!

This year I spotted these gingerbread row houses! I love their little staircases! And there are three of them...perfect.

With the gingerbread decorating complete, icing scraped off the countertop and sprinkles swept up, I settled in to work on my puzzle and was treated to an impromptu performance of Little Mermaid...complete with sister waves crashing on the rocks with dramatic flair!

Ethan and Kassie

After much sneaky planning and a week of trying to throw her off, an accidental sabatoge from a devesatated Elder's quorum councilor and careful coordination from his future in-laws, Ethan popped the question!!

And she said YES!!

Those are two very cold, happy people! 

We are so excited to have Kassie in our family! 

2023 On Track Christmas Party

 Mark has the smoker goin!

Ross hung the the ornaments with care!

We decked the halls!

And then we all did what we do best: eat and talk and look cute

Lauren Smith, Kristi Cowan and Lauren Terry

Dan Smith, Ross Terry and Mark

Megan, Laney and Kyle Flynn

The spread...featuring my famous apple juice and 7up concoction

Nic Conovor and the fam...love those prepared parents!

Clint and Carol Gregg, Grace Laskaras, Marlene and Mellissa Conchola, Anna Mollman(floor), Ainsley Wilber (box), Sarah Laskaras

Maddie and Kyle Gillett

Jamie Schmidt, Bridet's husband, Bridget Netherton, Maddy Schumann, Kyle Koontz

Kyle, Katie the fiance, JD Dalton, Harrison Mehlman, I don't know that guy

JD doing as he does and telling everyone to zip it and watch the video, I do believe he started his holiday speech with "When I'm talking, you're not talking!"  Always be coachin, JD.

The best 3 minute video ever shown!

And as is our long-standing tradition: the White Elephant swap! This year I was impressed with how passionately these folks fought for all the silly gifts...

And quickly becoming an On Track tradition, Alinda's ornamant earrings! This time made especially for her by Ross. 

But the very best thing to happen during the party was this phone call!!!

Maybe the best day ever!!