Merry Christmas

HUMMER LIMO... finally!

Tolman's had another fundraiser this year where the GRAND PRIZE for selling 25 items or more was a pizza party in a HUMMER LIMO!

For those who follow my blog, you know that last years' was a total BUST, so we couldn't let this years' get away from us! 

You can read about last years here.

I, uh...I mean Tol was successful in selling 25 items. So this time I was totally prepared. I called the school THE VERY DAY the fundraiser finished up to hear if there was a date set for the limo ride. There was a tentative date set for November 4th. I immediately put it on my calendar. Then, I asked again a few weeks later when the goods arrived. Again, they told me the 4th.

I didn't mention this earlier (and totally should have) but my mom came to town for a little longer than a week over Halloween... more on that to come. Anyway, so on the 1st we send Tol off to school (that I was going to let him miss because: 1) everyone deserves the day after Halloween off, right? and 2) Grammy was in town). About an hour later I get a phone call from the school {(that I usually would have ignored because: 1) the number wasn't in my contacts and therefore came up 'nameless' on caller id and 2) I was in the shower. Who gets out of the shower to answer the phone?!? Especially from a no-namer. Me, that's who. It was meant to be}. It was actually Tol's teacher on the other end explaining that since she was brand-new and still didn't have everything together, she forgot to send the Hummer-ride permission slip home. Then she continued to tell me the ride was to take place in 45 minutes. "WHAT?!? Today is the 1st! What happened to the 4th?!!! I can't let this happen again! What do I need to do? I'm not too late, am I?" I basically freaked out to myself while poor Ms. Messmer listened. My heart would have been doubly broken for Tol if he missed it again (even though he did get off pretty good last time).

I got dressed and ready -faster than ever before. My mom, Addi and I jumped in the car and RACED to Tolman's school to sign the dang waiver before the limo got there. We arrived just in time. We took some pics AND they let us go on the ride with them! Which I felt good about because it was from the fruits of MY  labors that Tol even sold anything in the first place ;)

Tol was thrilled and so was I.

When the ride was over and it was all said and done, Tol said that next year he wanted the Penske instead of the Hummer Limo ride.

a police officer and strawberry shortcake

r
...and an army dude. 

Oh, and here's one more.

Apple picking

I took Tol, Addi, Grace and Garrett apple picking. We had a great time picking & eating apples (especially the B-52s) feeding the animals and running through the corn maze. 

These 4 are so adorable together; the pic on the bottom left is their "Band Picture," for when they're in a band. Hilarious! Man, I love these kids!

Christmas pictures

 Christmas Pictures

by the one and only Jolene Reed

 Our 2011 Christmas Card

 

Cutest faces on a Christmas Card EVER!

Chi Town

Candice, Chelsea and I met in Chicago for a little GIRLS GETAWAY.

It was a fantastic time filled with warm weather, great food, good shopping and most importantly the BEST company! What can I say- Chel, Candice and I make a great trio!

I'll mostly let the pictures speak for themselves.

The Bean. We LOVED the bean.

 

 

 
The Chicago Marathon.
The original reason we planned our Chicago trip. Becca ran it in under 3.5 hours! She is a wild woman!  

 SeaDog is a Chicago MUST!

 

Apple store.

We just happened to be there the weekend after Steve Jobs died. It was a sobering scene.

  

Of course I know I'd have fun, but this trip exceeded any and all expectations. It was a BLAST! It was especially great because I don't get to see these gals too often with Chel living in Seattle and Candice in California. I mean, a trip with my dear sis and my dear friend; life doesn't get much better than that!

Kristen came to visit!

Rocky Mountain Ranger Cookie Dough
Puzzling
Hair
Wilson Phillips
Shopping
Women's Conference
Making the Bed (we slept in together)
Eating out
LAUGHING!
Late Nights


...are just a few ways to describe the BEST extended weekend I had with Kristen. She left her clan behind and came to visit me in Minnesota FOR 5 DAYS. It was the BEST!!


While she was here a few of us went to Lake City to celebrate Andrea's birthday.
{on the Mississippi River}

And here is the 1000 piece puzzle that got finished (except for one missing piece) AFTER Kristen left. Kristen and I were obviously feeling rather ambitious buying this puzzle- we worked on this thing day and night and it still wasn't completed by the time she left. But, I drafted a few clients to help while their colors were processing and there you have it.

TA-DA!

Kristen and I had the BEST time together! I am so grateful for the BESTEST best friend ever!!