When I first woke up Christmas morning, I had no idea it was snowing.
It was such a fun surprise to walk out to the great room and see a picturesque snowfall through the tall windows.
This is what Christmas in the Rockies is all about.
There was an excitement in the air that day.
And it had nothing to do with snow or even the anticipation of opening presents.
It was competition day.
Christmas Day marked our 2nd annual cookie decorating contest.
And there was a lot of smack talk leading up to it this year.
I won't lie ... I faked a bathroom trip during the contest to look up a specific idea on my phone.
I also acted like I had to check something outside the front door -- when really it was so I could get a look at something we have hanging on one of the front porches that gave me some inspiration.
But whatever. It's all said and done with now and I officially garnered the most awards.
My dad was the judge this year.
And my mom kept adding categories to make sure everyone won something.
C'mon mom, this isn't kindergarten t-ball where everyone gets a chance to bat.
Just let me win and go on with it.
My brother won both entries in the 'Funniest' category.
He says they are Papa Smurf (the cookie is actually in the shape of a bell) and a Dala Horse (it's a Swedish thing ... also what I was checking on out front).
Mr. Smarty Pants also garnered the 'Most Festive' award with his reindeer.
My husband had the 'Most Creative' cookie with his Noel Palm Tree.
His specialty is apparently taking other shapes of cookies and creating his own.
This one started as a snowflake and bell.
It ended up a marijuana plant on a tree trunk.
Warning: Don't eat his cookies. He doesn't shape them with a knife. He gnaws all around them with beaver-like intensity to create their new shapes.
My brother says I shouldn't be all that proud of my entries because I won categories like 'Best Effort'...
And 'Best Brown Noser.'
Don't be jealous.
I'll take a win wherever I can get one.
I also split the respectable category of 'Judge's Choice' with my sister-in-law.
These cookies were also up for the 'Brown Noser' award, as they pay homage to the college where my dad is a basketball coach.
At this point, my mom is feeling bad for my sister-in-law and the fact that she only has one shared win.
So she added the 'Prettiest' category and all but forced by dad to pick Shannon's stocking.
Shannon did win the 'Best Overall' category with her reindeer, although she has some tough competition from the marijuana palm tree.
Celebrate all you want girlfriend...
Because I'm the real winner with my gremlin in the 'Ugliest' category.
