We got some holiday baking done with my parents and sister and her girls early in December...too early because none of the goodies made it to Christmas. Oops.
That evening Clara and I wanted to try and catch the holiday lights parade downtown. We got a late start but were able to see some of it as we were walking along on the sidewalk to Blackbird for dinner. We could still see the floats going by outside their window. That was a pretty great spot actually because it was quite cold that night.
In true Clara fashion, she somehow scored herself a free hot chocolate. The staff member said he made 'extra.' :-)
She wanted to mess around on the ice with just her boots on for a bit. Not for too long, though, because Mom was freezing.
I'm so thankful for Brynn being the resident master gift wrapper. I really dislike wrapping and she does enjoy it she says and does a beautiful job of it. 
That next day on Sunday we went to Tessa's lake as the girls hosted their own Favorite Things party. It was a fun afternoon visiting and I came home with some great things.
Aunt Cindy was there too!
And she brought a grocery sack full of (mostly) pins and broaches she had amassed over the years. So we were able to take some pieces that we wanted home.
I had chosen this frog broach. I thought it was so unique. Don't mind my fuzzy coat.
Clara and I went on a walk later that evening after it had just snowed. Unfortunately at the end of this path, she didn't realize before it was too late that she walked through the ditch and fell down by the culvert. I was on my way to rescue her when she had just freed herself.
Dana loves the movie "Die Hard" and Brent, a movie connoisseur, often rents out the Fargo Theatre and then will play a surprise movie for those on his e-mail list. Thankfully I made my way onto this list and we did know in advance what the movie was going to be, and this was the first time it worked out for us to go. I hadn't seen "Die Hard" before, but thought it was a great classic 80s action flick. It was so fun.
There is at least one scene that features Twinkies in the movie, so they were handing out Twinkies to the movie guests.
Dana was recognized at work for another patent that he was awarded. The girls and I were so proud!
Clara made an ornament at one of her recent Scouts meetings.
I have had my great-grandma's eggnog recipe for many years now and have never made it, so my sister suggested I could bring it to Christmas. I love the strength warning. haha. I think this is auntie Cindy's handwriting on the recipe card. I hope it turns out!
Clara's school mascot is the Eagles and so she crafted this guy to give to her principal. It turned out so cool!
When Dana and I were first dating, the first wedding we went to together was his cousin (Holly's brother's daughter), back in 2000. We started dating in June, and I think the wedding was in August. Anyhoo - now that cousin's son was getting married! It was a beautiful wedding.
My college roommate whom I lived with up here in Fargo when we both attended MSUM was there. She is cousins with the groom's dad. Ha. Small world. When I showed up with Dana at that wedding 25 years ago, she was there too and we were both so confused as we met when we were both attending the community college in Fergus and she didn't know that Dana and I had started dating right after school ended our Freshman year. It was good to see her!
Great pic of the four generations. 💚
Clara and Grandma Holly got lots of dancing in together.
On Sunday Clara was pretty tired out from the late night wedding festivities, but she got up and sang in church.
Brynn put together a snack bin for our delivery drivers - who have been frequent visitors to our door step lately.
I asked Brynn to snap a pic of the MSUM 'M' all lit up for the holidays on our way home from Clara's swim practice the other night - I had wanted to send it to Tessa.
My last work day of the year was this past Friday. I am in charge of fundraising activities for our United Way campaign and so I put on 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation' in the conference room and had hot chocolate with toppings and cookies for a donation. I did have one co-worker join me.
I'm not usually a 'stepper' for the step classes offered at Courts Plus, but Saturday morning early they were having a Jingle Step where you could dress up in your festive workout wear and enter to win a prize and step along to Christmas tunes. It was pretty fun. And thankfully I didn't fall off the step and hurt myself which I always my biggest fear.
Then Clara and I headed south to visit Shelly and Lester. Shelly said Clara could open some of her Christmas presents early.
I hawked this right away so I could read it for myself and it was really interesting! I finished it by reading most of the rest of it to Dana last night and by that time Clara had already finished it, of course.
Shelly's neighbor dogs stopped by for a visit and treats.
Clara taught Shelly how to play Taco Goat Cat Cheese Pizza.
I knew I was in trouble when Shelly brought this snack mix out. Grandma Darlene used to make it too and it is soooo good.
Clara loves to put the miles on Shelly's scooter.
Clara and I went on our holiday lights tour last night. It was a pretty nice evening for it.
We made fudge tonight.
I think we're about ready for Christmas over here! Surprisingly, the girls' first day of break isn't until the 24th. But we'll make the most of it until they go back on the 5th.
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