Wednesday, December 29, 2021

2021 Books of the Year

It's one of my favorite times of the year - my picks for 2021 Books of the Year!  With my grad classes, I didn't have near as much time for pleasure reading as usual, but that also means I read a WIDE variety of subjects, from good fiction, to good non-fiction, to thought-provoking academic and Christian literature.  Here's a look at my must-reads from this past year! 

It's basketball, it's Africa, and it's John Grisham.  How could this not be my fiction book of the year?!  Disclaimer:  the ending surprised me and I didn't love it, but STILL.  Book of the year, easily.

Blu and I started reading this book out loud back in January as we drove all over Colorado for our 20th anniversary trip.  It's a real-life story of a woman who escaped from North Korea and what her life was like growing up there.  I hadn't read much about North Korea before, and it was gripping.  We both loved it!

I guess I would call this my "Graduate Degree Book of the Year."  Out of all of the books I read for my classes (16+), this is the one that has stayed with me.  I love a good, easy Dr. Dobson read, and this one did not disappoint.

I finish grad school on March 4th, so I'm hoping for plenty of time for "fun" reading in 2022!  Happy Reading!

Christmas 2021

We had a low-key Christmas in Brownwood - 80 degree weather and not much going on...it was nice! 


Christmas vacation = wisdom teeth extraction for Caedmon & Cambree!  Cambree got laughing gas AND an iv anesthesia....I have an 8 minute video that is pure GOLD ;)

Cambree is getting good at the guitar, and Blu has taught Cason the bass, so with Blu on keyboard and me on vocals, we have quite the band! (Caedmon would rather hang out with his crew... ;)

Christmas Evening hunt..but no deer!

Rylie & Cam boiling an apple...

Pure awesomeness - the bathtub drill scrubbing set Blu got me!


Dad got an array of Oklahoma State gear (oldest granddaughter attends there!)

Mama being silly modeling her My Pillow slippers!

Blow Pops - how I survive basketball season!

Christmas morning cinnamon rolls!

Dad & Mom - officially retired from pastoring!

Blu & Cason - I have to stay on top of these two in public to make sure they behave!

Cambree reading the Christmas story

Cason visited Chick-fil-a with his new friend!

Saturday, December 25, 2021

Tidwell Family Christmas in Fredericksburg!

 We spent Dec 19-23 in Fredericksburg, Texas with Blu's side of the family!  His parents rented an Airbnb and all 3 brothers/families got together for a few days.  We hung out, ate, rested, and enjoyed time together!  

This was me most of the trip - I had very bad allergies and felt miserable so I stayed on the couch a lot!

Me & Cam

Andie & Cam - the cousins had a bunkhouse all to themselves!

Me & Blu on the couch...again :)

Tidwell family candle lighting


Bmaw reading the Christmas story

Cloud, Rita, Keysi, & Brenden in from Costa Rica

Shade, Caity, Andie, & AJ (Shade had to leave early - he's a police officer in Brownwood and had to work!)

Paw & Bmaw

The original 5 Tidwells


Paw & Bmaw and all 7 grandkids

The whole fam!

Grandkids again!

Paw with our 3!

Paw & Caedmon

Gorgeous Caedmon!

The "Boys"


It was our one somewhat cool day this holiday break!



Pictures were an adventure...I stepped in fire ants and my boots were COVERED so I threw them off and went barefoot, and then stepped on a thorn....

Lazing around!

Our family :)

Christmas Eve and More!

We got to enjoy some time off over the Christmas break, which has been nice after a few tough months in the shop!  With the Texas weather in the 80s this Christmas, we enjoyed some golf with friends on Christmas Eve!

Blu & Kenny watching Landon tee off

Camille also watching Landon...so proud! :)

Christmas Eve in shorts!


Silly times with Cam!


One last basketball game before Christmas meant a 2 hour road trip!

Cute girl!

Can you see my Santa?? He's there - I promise!

Christmas at the Creek at church - the staff got Christmas bonuses!  We're so grateful for our church family!

Caedmon & Rylie led the church in Silent Night for the candle lighting!

Cason & Jensine at her 14th birthday party at the skating rink!

Spiderman family movie night!

Representing UMHB as they win the D3 National Championship! (again)

A public performance of Cason's OAP - And a Child Shall Lead Them

Fun music night with friends - Kenny and Josh on drums!

Basketball tourney in Hamilton - Bangs JV takes Consolation!

Landon/Camille, Blu/Darbi, Kenny/Kesi - our besties!

Cason as Miroslav in their play

Chili's Date Night!