Winter vacation by Sawyer.

Translations below.

I had fun when I...played with my kitten. I named her Penny. This is Penny.

I was surprised when...I got for Christmas Maz's temple.

I was sad when...I was not sad at all.

The best part was...when I got my new kitten.

Holiday wrap-up.

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr, day, everyone! This morning met us with several inches of snow. I got in a workout, Griff trapped a rabbit, and the kids are creating Lego sets in an attempt to win us a trip as a family to Denmark. All this before 10:00AM!

To me, MLK Jr Day signals the official end of the holiday season. You see, since I have a January baby, my holidays continue on a little past everyone else's. I'm lucky like that! We haven't had the 8th birthday party yet. It's next weekend. But, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite memories from the 2016 holiday season -

Class holiday parties and all the fun preparation work that comes with them including 15 Rudolph water bottles!

A collection of artwork featured in the school's entrance titled "Warmest wishes from 2nd grade."

This one was, by far, my favorite. Look at all that detail!

Holiday lights at Hudson Gardens with Madelyn's Brownies troop. It was a cold night but thanks to the preparedness of the troop leaders, the hot cocoa was flowing. When there's hot cocoa involved, these kids can do anything!

This one might be frame-worthy. Love that iPhone 7 camera!

And, the elusive tree that Griff wanted ever so badly to get our picture in front of but the flash was not cooperating.

We, of course got separated from the rest of the troop about halfway through. But, no worries. Team Anderson had fun, stayed warm, and enjoyed the evening.

A beautiful Christmas eve service at Honey and Poppie's church where Honey sang with the choir and Poppie ushered. We may not have gotten to sit with them but it was such a nice evening and a special way to celebrate Jesus' birth.

Our visit with Santa. A certain five year old, who will not be named, wanted nothing to do with this Santa and tried to keep as far away as possible. This picture cracks me up because it reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where George photobombs his boss' family's beach photograph and several subsequent Photoshop mishaps ensue as well as Kramer's fake skin cancer screening in an attempt to fix it. The unnamed someone in our picture did get his Santa wish - a  new kitten - so Santa must not have been too offended.

Skippy shenanigans. Remember the time when Skippy replaced our stockings with underwear? I do! Now that he's been with us a few years, I think he's getting comfortable and becoming a little more mischievous.

Penny shenanigans. There are too many to name. But, who besides me doesn't love a kitten belly?

National Western Stock Show fun. We took the Sheriff with us...

...and a rodeo queen!

We also saw a rodeo which was a blast. Getting to our seats was quite an adventure and a wee bit frightening. But, we made it. When I asked Sawyer if his favorite part of the rodeo was the hot dog, chips, or rodeo, he answered, "All of them!" I agree!

And...the birthday. Happy #8, Madelyn!

The obligatory cake and cat picture. This year's picture features a kitten with no fur on her belly. Mental note: Get the cat a bikini top before Sawyer's birthday.

And, last but farthest from least, my sweet birthday girl. 

Happy new year to you! I hope 2017 brings everyone good health, good luck, and much happiness. Now back to the snow.