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The days are long...


...but the years are short. I've always loved the saying. One of my favorite authors and podcasters, Gretchen Rubin, is credited as the original author of this quote. I always think about it when another year passes. This year was fast and furious, as I have found all the years to be since my kids became teenagers. It seems like every time I turn around, there's another graduation, major milestone, or life achievement by one of my kids. 2024 had a high school graduation, college graduation, three moves from home to college, from college back to town, from across town, back to home. And the dust hasn't completely settled yet. Gretchen Rubin has another saying now that her kids are grown. Instead of an empty nest, she calls it an "Open Door." I love that too. My door will always be open to my kids and their friends, as it seems like there's always an extra somebody at our house too. It's one of my favorite times. 

Thanksgiving break brought some new friends our way, but one of our favorite oldies, Chelsey, is always around. We went to Austin to pick up Jonas and his new friend, Sophia. She spent the week with us and we just loved getting to know her. She is a perfect match for Jonas! They have so much in common. 

Sophia is from all over, thanks to her military dad and Japanese mom. She's new to Texas though. We showed her all the best San Antonio has to offer. Burgers from Chris Madrid's were a must.


We had Thanksgiving at Nana's and Papa's as usual. 

Sushi from our favorite Sapporo's. 


We even squeezed in a day downtown to the Alamo, the RiverWalk, and the Pearl.




We are all excited to spend more time with Sophia in the next year. 

Much of December is filled with school activities, but I do love my time at home, even though it took me forever to get in the Christmas spirit and actually decorate the house. I am not one of those people who threw up the tree on November 1st!


Chelsey helped put up one of the trees. 





My reading room tree is actually book themed now! I found some cute book ornaments. 


I still bring out our sweet elf Finland, even though he's retired. 


This year my classroom got an elf and it was so much fun! The kids named him Albert and his pet reindeer named Gator in honor of my favorite Florida Gators. 





Savannah and I have been taking advantage of Sundays to run errands and prep for Christmas. We are enjoying this new routine and are going to try to keep it going. 




Jonas has been back for most of the month. He's got me back into a good gym routine and hiking. We've even got Bailey, Savannah, and Lorelei to the gym with us. 






We did some Christmas shopping in Boerne at their Market Days. We found some unique gifts and enjoyed a yummy pizza.






There didn't seem like enough time to prep for Christmas, but it worked out anyway. It's easier now that I don't have to work so hard at the Christmas magic. It's kind of nice to have the help of the kids to prep everything. 

Christmas Eve...






Christmas day...





The last week has been spent mostly at home.

Hanging with Wednesday.

Lorelei applied to Texas State!

Bailey grilling burgers.

Impromptu dinner at our favorite Thai place.

Hot cocoa, brain games, and reading. 


We went to my sister's earlier for pizza and Wicked. The girls all headed out to other parties with friends. The boys and I are just waiting for midnight and for the girls to return. Chelsey and Savannah are staying the night! So it will be a full house as usual. 

Looking forward to another fabulous year with my Boyen Bunch. There's another graduation coming our way, another college move in, graduate school for Savannah, and plenty of big things coming our way in 2025! I can't wait to keep you all posted!

Happy New Year!! 


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