My NYE dinner

#bottomcenterisbakedbriewithapricotpreserves

Peppa Pig and her camper van

There's been a request for a photo of the latest toy I added to my collection.  I really don't know that much about Peppa Pig except she's sitting in the back seat of this camper van her dad is driving.  My friend @nyc_morgan has a 3 year old Tess Ellen who showed me her Peppa Pig camper van and I had to have one too!  #toyenvy #oldmaidsneedtoys #newyearspresenttomyself

Getting stuff done

I went to see La La Land a few hours ago and it was sold out.  #whompwhomp So I tackled the latest boxes of treasures from my dad.  I whittled these 8 down to one box of letters and articles and photos plus jeans that I hope to use in a quilt.  I should have borrowed your electric knife @derekostaples #productivenewyearseve #epcondo2016

Paper calendar

I've always been a paper calendar gal.  Unfortunately Paper Source discontinued my favorite calendar.  And honestly it's hard to find calendars "these days" but I settled on this one.  I started filling things in last night and am looking forward to a new year and new calendar.  @papersource #notsponsoredhahaha

Converse Outlet

It's worth asking if they have any Jack Purcells in your size in the back.  #converse #wrenthamoutlets #newbabyblueshoes

@bofm365

I just finished reading the Book of Mormon with @bofm365!  My favorite part -- the constant reminders to be more Christlike and a better person.  I'm going to read it again in 2017.  Who wants to join me?

A bite of each for breakfast

Patsy's Pizza

My friend Morgan lives upstairs from Patsy's Pizza and it's legit.  And I'm home.  My road trip is over.  #epholidayroadtrip2016

Morgan's got style

NYC shopping

The best pens and best donuts are next door neighbors.  #epholidayroadtrip2016

The NYC Moores

#epholidayroadtrip2016

Would you like fries with your fries and fries?

Did this.

I heart NYC

I'm in The City

#epholidayroadtrip2016

When you are 2.7 miles from Cafe Rio this happens

#feelingbetter #readytoeat #caferio #frederickmd #epholidayroadtrip2016

These are what I really want...

...but they are $300.  #antiquinginfrederickmd #epholidayroadtrip2016

Should I get this for $30?

#antiquinginFrederickMD #epholidayroadtrip

More Lucketts

I wanted that map but it was $65 and not very big (I have a huge wall).  #lucketts #epholidayroadtrip2016

Seen at Lucketts

I don't need a cigarette vending machine but that font!  #lucketts #epholidayroadtrip2016

I'm a sucker for an old red truck

#lucketts #epholidayroadtrip2016

My road trip destination: Lucketts

#Lucketts #epholidayroadtrip2016

Philly Temple greeter

Eliza greeted me at the Philadelphia Temple door tonight.  I was her Young Women's president 20 years ago.  #whenIwas15 #hahaha #epholidayroadtrip2016

The Philly Temple

I've been wanting to return since I attended the open house.  #phillytemple #lds #epholidayroadtrip2016

It was not easy getting here

#nauseous #lostinjersey #whatspeedlimit #phillytemple #lds #epholidayroadtrip2016

Bag of treasures

I brought a bag of treasures for the Ure girls and they had fun choosing what they wanted.  #jerseyures #epholidayroadtrip2016

Lunch at the Shake Shack

#feelingbetter #epholidayroadtrip2016

Crate&Barrel with Lisa and the kids

#epholidayroadtrip2016 #jerseyures

Candy Land in Somerville, NJ

I've never seen a cookie cutter collection like this!  #epholidayroadtrip2016

I call her The Bus Driver

#sprinter #jerseyures #epholidayroadtrip2016

I made it to New Jersey, nauseous almost all the way

Madeline is my delightful roommate (and pen pal).  #merrybarfychristmas #epholidayroadtrip2016

The Jersey Ures

For my #closedonChristmas series

#epholidayroadtrip2016

I'm on a church building tour

#epholidayroadtrip2016 #ilovetoseetheHartfordTemple #iwantedtogoyesterdaybutitwasclosed #illbeback

Elder Santa

Look who was at church! #elderbastien #thiswasafterthemeetingofcourse #massachusettsbostonmission #heismormon #epholidayroadtrip2016

Christmas church

I just attended the most welcoming ward I've ever been to.  And one of the best Sacrament Meetings.  #SpringfieldMA #iammormon #lds #merrychristmas #epholidayroadtrip2016

I loved singing verse 3

The party is over!

I enjoyed spending Christmas Eve with the Staples and a house full of friends.  #merrychristmas

#christmaseve

Baby Jesus

Harold was a very adored baby Jesus.  #livenativity

O Christmas tree

#epcondochristmas2016 #thatismyonewindow #itakecrappynightphotos #ninefoottree

TBT: a Patton family Christmas card

We had professional photos taken every year and always sent Christmas cards.  I remember my mom saying there was much pinching and punching the day of this photo.  And the next day two of us had the measles or mumps.  Note: I ran into a glitch with my Christmas card photo; I was going to use the photo of me with Matt Damon.  I felt like I should ask if it was ok to use it and it's not (it was taken by a professional photographer for MIT).  So now I have to figure out what photo to use.  #nexttimeiwillaskforforgiveness

Bruce practicing the piano

I stopped by the Stake Center to pick up fudge that I bought from Bruce and caught him practicing the piano.  Kids really practice?!?  I never did.  Anyway, I requested a Christmas song and he obliged.  I captured his hands to show it really was him playing unlike the people in one of the Hallmark movies I watched last weekend.  #whatabouthisfaceatthened #bestpokerfaceevah #ithinkhewouldwinastaringcontest #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever

Barker Library ceiling during my lunch break

#imighthavedozedoff #MIT

Another work holiday party

I've been waiting a year for these short ribs.

Fancy tea

I went to a fancy tea this afternoon.  The food was amazing and I didn't even try the desserts.  I may have had 6 little baked brie thingies with raspberries on top.  And some other yummy things.  #whatevs #itbetheholidays

I finally met Harold tonight

#halisallthatandabagofchips

Bretzelis

I made these Swiss cookies with a pizelle iron.  My Merrie Miss teacher Ruth Hirschi taught me how to make these.  #ilovetomakethings #itstreatcityoverhere

Best of my days

I taught Young Women today.  I read a few of my favorite Christmas stories, we had treats from Trader Joe's, and I made each of the girls one of these so they can write the best part of every day next year (idea from Under the Sycamore) with a Muji pen.  #arlingtonwardyoungwomen #peppermintpretzels

The Arlington Ward choir is wonderful

#christmasprogram

#epcondochristmas2016