What a day!!!

Saturday morning started great by sleeping in and not having to take the kids anywhere! Once we got up, had breakfast and chilled for a bit, the kids and I went to the YMCA. I ran 8 miles in 84 minutes- ramping it up for my Half Marathon on New Year's Eve!!! The kids both worked out for an hour and Jeromy stayed home and did yard work- he said it was more productive!

Then Jade and I were going to drop in on the cookie exchange! I don't participate, but it's fun to visit everybody and there's usually some taste testing!!! I actually drug Kent along too cause I just miss him! Here's all the aunts, grandma Shield, cousin Kimmy and Jade, and my mom!
Another angle... Auntie Mary also made an awesome taco salad for everyone with all the sides- even kidney beans- LOVE that! And what a perfect thing to eat to help balance out the sugar we were about to eat!
Here's the sample tray....

Isn't Jade a cutie-pie? I can't believe she's 19 years old....

Me and my mom- she's pretty cute, too! Love you mom!

And then the exchange is on! Look at all those tubs of cookies??? It was a little confusing to make sure everyone got there share cause some of the tubs were very similar! Also, I've been thinking about finally joining the cookie exchange next year. And it just so happened that Linda F. dropped out last minute, so everyone had an extra tub, so I thought "hey I'm here, and I want to start next year", my aunt Susie suggested I get them and start THIS year- ahhhhh.... ummmm.... ok! So I got a ton of cookies and I need to make several dozen by Dec. 17th for my mom's tea when we all get together again!

3 generations....

Jade and Kent with Grandma Cindy!

And Jeromy was worried that I wasn't going to bring any cookies home- how about 7 dozen??? Now I gotta pick out a cookie and get crackin'!

A friend from work made me some lumpia last week! So we had it for a snack today! Thanks Lily!

Then Jeromy was off to work his shift at the "Chimes and Lights" in Port Orchard. And while there, he sent me this picture! Look at all those cute Trig faces! I was planning on going later that night to see Jeromy but once he sent me this picture saying the Trigs were only there for a little bit we left right away!

Some decorated trees, and people waiting to see something, not sure... maybe the tree lighting???

Here we are: Kent, Jeromy, me and Jade...

More people getting warmed up with coffee...

Here's Jeremy 2 and my Jeromy 3 with Hannah and Julia...

Here's the Taste and See Trailer from church. They were passing out free coffee, hot chocolates and cookies along with tracks to people walking around! Jeromy even had a few magic tricks he was showing the kids that told of the gospel.

Look who else we saw! Jason on patrol- we told him there were some crazy teenagers (our teenagers lol) running around causing shenanigans! Everyone prefered your police uniform with the blue vs. your co-worker Jason!

Jade and Alex- Alex is getting really big and he's such a cutie-pie! When he saw me he ran straight for me and gave me a huge hug, it was awesome!

Yup, that's Kent and Jade eating an ice-cream cone and then warming back up later with a hot chocolate!

We saw Kyle and Julia, too!

Ya, I took a ton of pictures, here's Tessa with 2 of her guy friends from school- and they seemed very nice Tessa! And the twins!

Here's the twins Nadia and Tae'- such sweet pretty girls! I think they look kinda like me! All I need is my glasses on and to grow my hair out a little more.

Jade, Tae', Nadia, Sweet Tessa, and me! I love your hugs Tessa!

Here's Nadia and Tae' again! Aren't they gorgeous girls? It was so nice talking to you Tae' and Nadia, hearing about your school and your concert! We miss you sooo much! While Jeromy was finishing up his time slot at the trailer, we were freezing, and Jade had a great idea to go visit with Laura who lives just 5 min. away! Awesome idea Jade! So Laura fed us yummy hot chocolate, coffee, and ton of peanut butter cups, and I think Kent was eating a bowl of soup or something???? Laura was baking cookies while we were there! Here she is in all her greatness, with Kyle the magnificent, and Max is behind Laura holding up some kind of snowman toy... I will leave you with a picture of our tree with the first present under the tree. It says- To: Sugar Face- From: Pumpkin Head...... just sayin', you gotta figure it out. Here's a clue: it's not for any of the kids LOL!