Moments 12 21 :: Week 05

While we didn't have a day of baking cookies per usual, we were able to crank out some after all. I decided to try all new recipes this year. There weren't any duds, but my favorites were the Italian Layer Cookies. So good.

Felt great to be able to see family again this year (even though COVID is crazy nutsy at the moment). Grandma hosted a fun Christmas Eve.

Santa came to our house! 

Annual Christmas morning photo. 

Brian and I got up early to walk the dogs. Then changed back into our pajamas and woke Hudson & Cole at 9:00am. 

The P4. Plus Van and Gretel.

Nina & Papa hosted Christmas this year. A few others were going to join us but got COVID, so it was just our small little family. Maia recently bought a condo that came with some interesting artwork. Here's just one that she passed along to her brother. I'm not sure his girlfriend is a fan. 

Thankful for small families. 

We decided to continue the festivities and had brunch at the hunt club. It was absolutely delicious and so pretty.

I mean... family photo in front of the fire.

After brunch, we took a little hike. So luck to have this place available to us. 

Later in the week Brian & Hudson took Van on his first hunt. Gretel had to stay behind - she's healing from an injury she got rough housing with Van. (It was heartbreaking since this is her favorite thing to do, but I took her for a LONG walk to make up for it.) I guess Van did really well! Yay! I wasn't so sure about this one. 

The boys and I went out for ramen. Just a fun sign for the times. 

Last workout of of the year, signing off from the Pettit home gym. I've been back on the porch since Cole had COVID. Brian has to go out of town for an important work project, so I decided to stay put. 

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I've got to be honest, I wasn't a huge fan of this year. I felt overwhelmed and just kind of blah. Don't get me wrong - a lot of great things happened and fun moments were had. But, I'm determined not to let that happen again, and am looking forward to a fresh start. Peace out 2021.

Moments 12 21 :: Week 04

These two. Love how much they snuggle each other. 

Went out for Indian food with Hudson. Yum.

Brian was buried with work. Cole was still in isolation. But Hudson and I decided to make a few cookies. Van is such a good helper. This is where he hangs out whenever anyone is in the kitchen.

The end results. (We are making a few more).

Hudson got to go flying this week, and picked the perfect night. Holy Hill from above.

Was able to catch the sunset over the lake.

Someone got a cone. Never a dull moment around here lately. Van and Gretel were playing, and I'm assuming Van plowed into her. Her entire leg from her ankle to elbow swelled up, which is weird. The doctor took a fine needle aspiration to make sure the lump on her leg wasn't causing it (it wasn't), but it must have bothered her because she licked that spot raw... and won't leave it alone. This is what she gets....

Cole making toffee, Hudson making another cookie. 

Moments 12 21 :: Week 03

On the lookout for critters.

Unfortunately, this was the week of COVID. Cole was sick a couple days last week and tested positive. Of course, the day after his diagnosis, he started feeling better. I'm so relieved by that. But, he's been stuck in his room for a week! Only two more days until he's released. We just don't want to risk any of us getting sick for the holidays, and fortunately he takes it seriously too. We moved a TV and the Xbox in his room and he gets food deliveries, so he was pretty excited about this situation at first, but I think the novelty is wearing thin now. The other great news, however, is Hudson is home for winter break. I'm so excited. He just got home Thursday, and Brian's been out of town since Wednesday, so we are all looking forward to getting released from bedroom prison, and being reunited soon. It always feels better when we are all together.

Moments 12 21 :: Week 02

Just a cool photo someone took of Hudson during take off on a solo flight.

Hudson is doing club swim, which, again, is proving so great. The team had a meeting as Washington University. He ended up PRing two of his events. Amazing!

St. Nick came for Cole, the dogs and Brian. He made it to St. Louis this year too.

Snuggling in the sunshine.

This guy. 11 months on the 11th. Such a trouble maker, but such a sweet guy too.

It's my friend Kim's birthday tomorrow, so we had a little celebration at the gym. Such a great group. 

Moments 12 21 :: Week 01

We had all day Saturday to get ourselves in the holiday spirit. First stop was Cedarburg. Our former favorite tree place had a pop-up shop, so we made sure to stop so the boys could pick out their annual ornaments. It's such a cute town to wander around in too.

Next stop - find the perfect tree, yo.

On the way out, you make a wish, get a Jameson shot and a kiss under the mistletoe. That lady has the best job ever. 

Hope our wishes comes true.

Best fire ever.

There it is! Honestly, our tree this year is a little crazy with it's branches. But it turned out pretty great. 

On Tuesday, Cole visited University of Wisconsin Milwaukee on a college tour. He really like it!

The boys advent calendar looks a little different this year. Hudson's went back to St. Louis - except for the days he'll be back. It's kind of weird, since last year he was finishing up online and home a couple months over the winter. But it's a good thing. 

Thanksgiving 21

Some scenes from this year's Thanksgiving. Another one that was different from past years -- but we all had such a great time. We headed down to Oak Park and spent it with our friends. Being together felt so awesome. It's been a long time, especially since our kids are all older! Two have graduated college. Three are in college now - Minneapolis, St. Louis & New Orleans - two are in high school and one in middle school. We figured it had been two years since we last saw Finn! It happens. But that's what made this day and being together even more special. Dinner was amazing, of course. The company fantastic. The boys crashed at the Elsmos. We stayed with Chris & Penny. And we even got to enjoy a couple hours of annual Leftover Day. Such a great couple of days.