Cookie Party and B&V Christmas Party 2010

December means two things in KC, cold weather and Debbie Vesel's annual Christmas Cookie Exchange.  I have been participating in the cookie party for roughly 22 years and always seem to have some mishap while making my 12 dozen cookies.  The first year saw me making Walnut Crescents using a recipe that my father-in-law Tom gave me.  He swore one batch made 8 dozen so I thought I could double it and be golden.  However, when I started cooking it quickly became evident that one batch made about 2 dozen.  After multiple trips to the store (and who knows how much money), I ended up with 12 dozen cookies and swore I would NEVER do it again.  The next year saw me attempt Stained Glass Cookies - they ended up looking great but tasting awful (even the dogs wouldn't eat them although they did have a blast chasing the candy balls as they rolled off the cookie sheet).  I could go on but I'm sure you get the idea.  So this year, I decided early to make Mint Brownie Bites (I found the recipe while at the eye doctor).  They looked festive (which is important) and how could you go wrong with brownies, right?  Well, this year it quickly became evident that these were the cookies for me.  From start to finish, I knocked out 14 dozen in roughly 3 hours.  I decided that I am going to make them every year regardless of how they taste!  I was rocking to Brenton's playlist (it felt a little odd to be singing Sexy Chick instead of Silver Bells, but whatever works). They actually tasted good too!  Score!

Mine are the ones with the white icing and peppermints on top

December also marks the time for the Black & Veatch Christmas Party.  I haven't been in years as it was always downtown and I wanted it to be closer to home.  Well, this year they decided to have it at the Sheraton right across the street from work (no excuse to miss it).  The last B&V Christmas party I attended was the night before Brenton and I flew to Nashville to watch the Chiefs and the Titans mix it up on Monday Night football Brenton's freshman year of high school (yes, high school).  I drank way too much that night as the band wouldn't let me play the cow bell (which for some reason upset me).  I can distinctly remember the plane ride leaning my head against Brenton's shoulder saying "I don't feel so good."  This year was much different.  I had no desire to play the cowbell and only had one glass of wine.  The food was quite good and tons of people showed up.  I actually won a centerpiece too (technically, my friend Debbie won it but as she got one for being on the planning committee, she gave it to me).  We had a great night and certainly hope they have it there again next year.  It was nice to get home in less than 10 minutes!


Debbie, Me, and Emily in front of the centerpieces



Emily and I in front of one of the Christmas Trees



Thanksgiving 2010

This year we had Thanksgiving dinner at my childhood home for the last time as my parents are downsizing and moving to a condo December 16th.  Cady and Brenton made it to town and Mom did all the cooking (amidst packing) - she is amazing.  It was a wonderful dinner (although we all ate way too much).

The Bird

Cady and Brenton

Tim carving

The table

Cady, Shelby, and Brenton

The feast



Braves Season Ends

Between work, football, marching band, and life in general, I was remiss in updating the blog once again so will have to play catch up.  The Ottawa Braves ended the regular season with a sweet victory over hated rival Friends University 54-21.  Our own Brenton was sidelined with a torn MCL, but was on top of the press box calling in plays.  The Anderson brothers had big games which was also sweet as Friends didn't recruit them as they were determined to be too small (they are local Wichita boys).  We tailgated after the game as usual and fed the boys as they were starving (as usual).

Brenton at work calling in plays

One of Clarence Anderson's many scores of the day

Having ended the season with a 9-1 record, the Braves hosted the first round playoff game against the Marian Knights.  It was a tale of two halves with Ottawa leading at halftime, but then doing absolutely nothing in the second half.  They lost 20-35.  It was a disappointment but with Brenton still nursing his injury, rather glad we didn't have to plan a trip to North Dakota in December.  They introduced the active roster at the beginning of the game which was sweet and my sister Martha made it to town (to help the Creators with moving decisions) and got to see the game.  Overall, it was a great season.  Can't wait to see what next year brings!

Brenton and Coach Kessinger

Brenton being introduced pre-game