M&M Party Bag

We got it right....He's 48!

2025-09-18T10:08:00.000-05:00

There was no major gift. Nothing over the top or expensive.

Just love and attention and....this is the big one.....no fighting.

Mark turned 48 and he went to work and answered emails and did all the things grown ups have to do on their birthdays.

But his coworkers know that he loves the sugar...and they came through in a big way.

I had to work early that morning, so we focused on making the best of the evening hours. We realized that he's the only one of us the hadn't run through the streamers. It didn't disappoint. Mostly because Mark is Mark. And he makes everything fun and funny.

Winnie Muse

2025-02-26T22:33:00.000-06:00

I'm not the only one that loves Miss Winifred

Birdie Girl

2025-02-25T22:29:00.000-06:00

It's a terrifying reality to love something so small and vulnerable.

Big Money

2025-02-25T07:31:00.001-06:00

My my! Look who is getting her very first back account? She got herself a job at the Berry Patch and she needs someone to keep all that cash she's bringing in.

Naturally I sneak a picture.

She's feeling pretty proud to be the youngest Hufford yet to get a job!

Business and the Beach

2025-02-19T11:24:00.013-06:00

Wachter chose Ft Lauderdale to have it's big kick-off this year. Last year was Miami and I was in the middle of keeping teenagers whole and healthy, so I didn't go. That left Mark walking the beach alone with nary a hand to hold. Still, he had to go to meetings and mixers and I got to take naps and explore the shops and collect seashells.

We are so obsessed with birdies these days! Look how they all face into the wind and enjoy the sunrise.

It should be noted that it is SO VERY COLD back in Kansas City. It seems impossible that not everyone is freezing in February. Which explains why I couldn't imagine needing a pair of shorts and therefore didn't pack anything lighter than jeans and a t-shirt. Mark was in meetings all day, so I finally found a row of gift shops and set about purchasing shorts and a tank that weren't crazy expensive and that I might possibly wear again sometime. I found a public restroom on my walk back and crammed my Kansas clothes into the gift shop bag.

It was so nice to get away and feel the sun on our faces.

Tomorrow we return to the polar votex! Fun!

Collective Soul in a Pantsuit

2025-02-15T22:24:00.000-06:00

We like the kind of band that plays at a casino in South Dakota.

You know we are willing to drive north to hear "Run".

Let's go. Get in the truck.

Meg is good company. I love hearing her stories and seeing life through her eyes. The drive went fast! We put on our Strong Independent Women hats and checked into the hotel, drove to the casino and found or seats. The rest of the audience definitely skewed more to my generation.

We were right in front of the lead guitarist and he was awesome!

I had to smile at Ed Roland's orange crepe suit. He owned it, but I had to wonder if he found it in the mature ladies section at JC Penneys.

Either way. I respect the fashion choice.

We had the best time and sang all the songs. We navigated our way out of the venue a little early so we wouldn't be on the road with all the drunk folks and headed back to our hotel.

A little continental breakfast, and we hit the road in the morning.

South Dakota is cold. They've got to be one of the best reasons to own Carhart. k

We spotted this cool circle rainbow on the way home. It felt like an alien invasion.

Maybe they were on the hunt for the ornagiest pantsuit on earth?

Lone Valentine

2025-02-14T18:55:00.000-06:00

One last hold out for heart hair.

Those old ladies were right.

I should have "enjoyed it while it lasted"

Who will let me do heart hair next year?

Me at 49

2025-02-13T18:50:00.000-06:00

I guess 49 is okay.

I'd much rather be 50.

It sounds so much better...it has GRAVITAS.

eh.

I'll just tell people I'm 50 because what I want for my 49th birthday is to say that I'm 50.

I'm rounding.

I also want avocado toast.

And a warm slice of oatmeal cake.

my people

And a supper snuggly cream blanket.

and, you know, to pretend I'm already 50

Eagles v. Chiefs

2025-02-07T23:47:00.000-06:00

The Chiefs are going to the Superbowl for the third year in a row. They are going for a "Threepeat", if you haven't already heard...

Chiefs fans all over the world are praying extra hard every night.

On Track went up against a Box in Philadelphia in a head to head workout, just for funsies!

That called for lots of red and yellow decorations and our best local artists to produce Mahomes' buns posters.

We spared no expense and it was

AWESOME

Philly:

On Track:

Sadly, the Chiefs lost and so did we.

But I loved every minute of it. We live to squat another day.

The Feeling of Freedom

2025-01-27T16:20:00.000-06:00

This girl is SO READY.

She's been practicing in parking lots since she was in 6th grade.

Hours?

Oh.

She's got her hours.

And she passed with flying colors.

Prom Dress Morning

2025-01-25T22:17:00.001-06:00

This morning we went to the Prom Dress Event hosted by Joy Closet, our very favorite thrift store EVER. They receive so many prom dress donations, they save them up and right before prom season begins, they host this day. Every girl can come and select one dress, a pair of shoes, necklace and earrings FOR FREE.

Isn't that the coolest idea??

I found myself a chair and set them loose.

They each for two or three to try on and waited in the long line.

Just about every mom I know showed up that morning. It was so fun to see the girls find a dress that made them feel beautiful. We all settled in to ooooh and ahhhh and hold the ones they were considering.

My only worry was that one of them wouldn't find something and would leave empty handed. But what do you know!! They all found something they loved! Laney and Anna found two! And they were all so different. It was fun to see what they picked and I really enjoyed seeing how confident they were in their own styles.

This calls for a fashion show.

It was a fun and happy morning. And Everly can't wait to grow a few inches and go in a year or two!

Michelle's Cookies

2025-01-19T21:46:00.002-06:00

Don't forget this recipe. It's a winner.

Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 cup butter

1/4 +2 Tbsp white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

**mix till smooth

Add:

1 egg

healthy glug of vanilla

**mix until fluffy

1 1/2 cup flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

**gently mix dry ingredients together on top of the wet to save dishes. Then mix in with wet until combined

Mix in a bag of mini chocolate chips. The ratio will be about 1:1 for dough and chocolate.

Scoop on to silpat and bake at 350 for 10 mins. DO NOT BAKE LONGER. They won't look done. Just trust the process. They will be so soft. Just take them out of the oven. Do it. Take them out. Please.

10 minutes.

Not 11.

10.

These are practically burnt. I gave them 11 minutes and I hate myself for it.

Everly the Twelve Year Old

2025-01-14T20:19:00.090-06:00

She's a busy girl. We had to hustle to fit a birthday party into her schedule. On the 13th, I picked her up from play practice after school and fed her dinner in the car while we went to pick up her friends for a movie!

Last chance to see Wicked in the Theater! We drove to Merriam for the good seats.

She was even busy on her birthday (Tuesday), so we had a late dinner after she got done with OTO. (salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, dinner rolls and green beans).

She didn't have time to decorate it herself, but she was all for lighting her own candles!

We got the far flung kids on the phone and sang our off-beat harmonies. I was so focused on holding the phone up for them to see, I accidentally sang " dear Laney" instead of "dear Everly". DoH!

The Flynns were there to help make her feel special. Courtney always know just what kind of makeup she will like.

Some of her gifts didn't arrive on time, so she got the classic printed out pictures in a card. She's excited to have new bedding that matches her walls.

But her favorite gift was this galaxy projector for her room. It really is super cool.

Sweet dreams, Everly!

They Suffer Together

2025-01-10T12:12:00.001-06:00

Let's face it, getting your wisdom teeth out is miserable.

But misery does love company.

Real Snow

2025-01-07T12:11:00.001-06:00

It snowed....for REAL. The crazy snow-preppers are feeling so vindicated for buying ALL the groceries. Do people truly not already have enough food to keep them and their offspring alive for 48 hours? You don't have a can of soup and some oatmeal packets? Luckily I worked a shift at Hy-Vee the day before weather arrived. It was busier that Thanksgiving and Christmas combined.

We declined to go out and shovel until it was done. Maybe a mistake, considering it took us an hour and a half to dig out the driveway. But it was the most delightful snow day. Church was cancelled and we made good food and watched movies. Absolutely worth the end of day shoveling workout.

Our darling friend Faith invited us over to take part in her families sledding tradition. I am not well-known for my adventurousness or my willingness to be chilly, but even I went down a few times! It was super fun!

Laney was the dark horse and went down first and frequent. Everly got brave after Mark offered a "major award" for the brave ones. AJ refused to go down, so Mark and I expressed our indifference and went inside for cocoa. We've been around this parenting block before.

What do you know? I looked out the window and spied her flying down the hill. By the time we left, she was getting a running start and leaping onto the sled face first.

The perfect hill!

Our Old Ways

2024-12-31T23:58:00.001-06:00

The Terrys and Smiths have other plans, so we aren't going to be the pickleball version of ourselves. We're going back to the grazing and pajama versions. Our friends were supportive of the move.

I would do a play by play, but we really did just eat and laugh and talk. The kids had fun playing games with Todd.

I'm grateful to have friends that do not require us to entertain.

AJ and Rebecca

New Year's countdown

Kids near and far...Kassie and Ethan celebrating in Utah

Mathew in Arkansas

Miranda and Anna under the table eating 12 grapes to bring luck for the new year.

And a surprise visit from Evie, Anna's sweet friend. She walked in the middle of the night, because Anna's phone privileges were revoked for the day. I won't get into it. But I thought that was pretty lovely.

Happy New Years!

The forgotten week

2024-12-31T10:33:00.036-06:00

That five days in between Christmas and New Years is just weird. Routines are off, meals are a hodge podge of leftovers, stale treats and heating up tater tots.

It's no man's land.

We're in a holiday fog.

We managed a few things...

AJ picked up her official driver's permit!

I'm working on my paint by number. It's coming along,

The ward held their ice skating party....it was "winter raining".

I sat in the truck. I draw the line at watching ice skating and getting soaked. I had a nice nap and Megan took pictures for me! I know I'm lame and totally no fun.

Even though I bark at her alot and tell her to "stop parenting your sisters", I am really glad that she's so good at stepping in when I am snoozing in the truck.

We held our 3rd annual Power Hour at the gym and Mark set it up so that there was a big rowing race at the end with little boats to show who was winning. It was super cool. People suffering on the floor is a sure sign.

I'm glad this weird week is over. Lets take down the tree and get organized.

Happy Christmas

2024-12-25T19:41:00.001-06:00

I used to hate it when I heard someone same "Happy Christmas" instead of "Merry Christmas". Sounded weird.

Now I get it. Because I felt so happy all day. I'm in.

I love these happy memories.

Megan opening her own copy of Halibut Jackson, a childhood favorite.

AJ getting a cover for her headboard...which is currently an un-zen navy blue.

Opening Megan's paintings she worked on for weeks before Christmas. They are so beautiful!

A calligraphy set with ink well!

Spontaneous dance party!

Silliness!

Feeding the current Transformer obsession.

Mathew making toast in his new toaster.

Everly putting the world right. Combining the remnants of a failed gingerbread house, macoron rejects and the hazelnut cones from her stocking. Beauty from ashes!

All the ribbons retrieved and organized.

Catching sisters hanging out. The best gift.

Happy Christmas, indeed.

Rollin and Smokin

2024-12-24T19:09:00.001-06:00

Christmas Eve was all about getting ready to absolutely relax on Christmas Day. That means finishing up the three-day effort to change Anna's room from a saturated orange explosion into a creamy calm experience. We took the "one wall at a time" approach. And it took three solid coats. But she loves it and I'm excited that it's done and I won't have to muster the energy after Christmas!

Mark is smoking some Poor Man's Burnt ends and that means I'm not cooking AGAIN. It really is Christmas!

Everyone got busy wrapping their gifts for each other and finishing up last-minute task.

Christmas Eve Bingo revealed the theme for the year....polar bear pants 9plaid for the boys) and some type of Chicago themed t-shirt. I tried...I really did. Etsy delivered Anna and Everly's shirts ON CHRISTMAS EVE. Of course, I had purchased nondescript Old Navy back ups just in case.

The kids WOULD NOT go to sleep. Finally, at 3 am, I texted them and told them to plug their ears and keep their doors closed. Creating magic is a team effort and this team is ready to go to sleep!

Shepherd's Night Fettuccini

2024-12-23T21:45:00.001-06:00

I don't think there is a more wonderful way to bring Christmas Cheer to my heart.

Do the cooking!

Mathew planned a wonderful meal for Shepherd's Night! Fettuccini Alfredo from scratch.

Delicioso!!

We ate it by candlelight and, I am not lying, I am non momming, it was the most delicious alfredo I've ever tasted. We were all making happy eating sounds. We rivaled Bob and his hand-shucked corn.

Carolers! So fun and so awkward. There is an acceptable amount of time one should sing at other people. The line was crossed.

Lookie there! We have three Shepherd's Night takers! I sympathize with and join those that will be sleeping on softer surfaces, but I salute those with younger backs than I. You are making Christmas Magic, my dears.

Under one roof

2024-12-21T21:17:00.002-06:00

When I bought the truck, I didn't stop to think about the things we'd be giving up by letting go of the minivan.

No more riding to church all together.

No more road trips with more than three kids,

No more movies on the pop down screen that we always hit our heads on.

And no more minivan express.

What have I done??

By dang, we can't go see lights in two cars, that stupid.

So I borrowed the Terry's minivan and we made a batch of the best cocoa....the real stuff. The one part cocoa powder, two parts sugar, sprinkle of salt and real milk kind. (I added some half and half just for good extra creaminess. And it was piping hot!

AJ made some tickets and we let Mark punch them. Kinda silly but still the best.

We're all in the same car!

We dropped in to Deanna Rose for the light show and found a spot. It was packed! The star wars segment was the best.

I love this family and I'm excited to make them do this even when they are all grown up!

Kidnapped.

2024-12-18T17:17:00.001-06:00

Her very last day of Activity Days and her very first taste of Young Womens!

Nobody kidnaps like girls between the ages of 12-17.

Nobody.

Blindfolds, shrieking, unnecessary roughness. It's all a part of the initiation. It's totally the best.

Things really are changing around here!

Don't count us out

2024-12-17T22:27:00.001-06:00

I was thinking we wouldn't make it to on the neighborhood hayride this year. Everly had her Christmas band concert on the same night. Clarinets beat horse farts any day.

But she didn't need to report to the band room until 6:45 and there were a few open slots at 6, so we grabbed them.

Sadly, Everly got a yucky cold and fever and wasn't able to go to the concert anyway. Here was my favorite sisterly conversation of the day (harsh, yet helpful):

Everly: "I'm so sad that I'm missing my first middle school band concert."

AJ: "You're not. You're missing it. The next one will be your first"

Everly: "That true" (she went back to bed)

She wasn't up for the hayride either, so I grabbed AJ and Bug and we went over to the pool parking lot. Bug met up with a friend and AJ an I hopped on the other trailer. We were all pretty glad we are older that 5. We get to hang our feet over the side and that's pretty much the funnest part.

In recent years, AJ has asserted her God-given teenage right to not appear in any family photographs. Especially the smiling ones.

She's coming around....and I'm so glad. She even cued up some Christmas music and handed me an earbud.

Bug and Raf

5 in 5

2024-12-15T22:33:00.002-06:00

Did I mention that I feel like life is changing around here?

I have proof.

SO MANY PARTIES.

5 parties in 5 days.

And not only that, but I didn't need to find a babysitter for any of them.

Wednesday: Relief Society dinner: Soups, salads and chatting with the ladies. Courtney and I were peer pressured into attending. It turned out ok. A 4 out 10.

Thursday: Coaches Pickleball Party: I picked up the food (twice) from Fajita Pete's and then wrapped myself in my electric blanket and watched everyone play. I'll give that a 8 out of 10. I was warm and I had snacks. And I really like all of these people.

Friday: Wachter Holiday Party: It was "country Christmas". I own this red flannel and a leather belt. I was comfy and I got to spend the evening with Mark, so I was pretty happy. Andy Ebert and Les Harvey work at Wachter too, so I had a few people to talk to. I'll give that a 6 out of 10. I would've taken dinner and movie by ourselves any day.

Saturday: The On Track Christmas Party. We had a great turn out and it was fun to see the community growing and forming friendships. I'm pretty proud of us. AND! I got some chocolate and chicken leg socks! 8 out of 10!

Sunday: Pat Crownover's Christmas Open House. I didn't take a picture, but I think you you take a look of this screenshot of her, you can use your imagination. Think pinapple cake, potato chips and onion dip. We were in and out pretty quickly, because we are truly worn out.

Life is kinda fun these days. I like all the parties and dinners and open houses. But I kinda miss thoses quiet evenings when we had all the little kids home and we would read a Christmas story out of our collection. But for now, just tell me what to bring and text me the address.

AJ on the road

2024-12-14T16:30:00.001-06:00

Guess who passed the learner's permit??

She's been driving for two years in the elementary school parking lot....but now she's legal!