Holiday's with my family

Lucy - good dog!

Patty got down and played with Mags - two fashionistas!

How many men does it take to put a hat together? Russ came over to help...

Grandpa Mike and Mags (she was the only girl to come with us because she flies free)

We were able to see both my parents this holiday season. We visited Redding to see my dad and my mom flew out to see us on the way home from KS.

It was very a pleasant visit with my dad and Patty. We just relaxed and enjoyed each other. We also were able to have a nice dinner with friends Russ and Deanna as well as Deanna's son Roger, his wife Shelley and their kids. David's present was a new(er) truck - we bought my father's diesel truck. So after a nice few days, we drove home. It took us 15 hours - UGH.

Christmas day, we got pummeled by a huge storm. I loved it! However, with my mother arriving the next day, and more snow was forecasted, I wasn't begging for more snow. We had mom and Stan cancel their rental and we went down and picked them up in a 4WD vehicle.

The girls really loved seeing my mom and Stan. Stan is so cute with the girls too. He had a blast with our new "quesadilla grill" - he showed me just how much fun it could be.

The time between viosits is always too long and the visits themselves tend to be too short. I do wish that I had been able to see my sister and her family... soon I hope.

Happy New Year!

Game Night

It has been a ritual for the past year or so (since Auntie C came to visit - she is Angela's aunt and we adopted her) for a few of us to get together and play "hand and foot." While the game is fun, it is the conversation and competitiveness that makes Game Night what it is - absolutely hilarious!

Here is the New Year's inaugural game. Angela was laughing so hard, we had to get her a pot (not some pot, a pan pot) in case she spewed. Believe me, it has happened before. Name calling does occur, but rarely does any swearing happen.

I will admit that we are obnoxious when we play - but it is all in fun! By the way, the boys lost this night, but they kicked our butts in 2008. Go girls in 2009!

Update - New Year and some holiday news

Okay, I realize that I have been remiss in posting new updates and photos. It was one of the things I planned to change this year. However, 6 days into 2009, I slipped on the commuter train floor and broke my elbow. Yes, I am typing one handed. So please forgive me for the number of photo posts I am about to put on....

I want to say I am very excited about my blog because my wonderful husband bought me a new camera for Christmas. Apparently it takes video too. I haven't figured out how to post that yet... soon.

Well on to the uploading!

Emma performed in the school's Christmas choir this year. It was an ordeal, but absolutely worth her effort. I am extremely proud of her courage and talent! But don't tell that to her face or she'll go into pout mode. Regardless, Em enjoyed this and continues to amaze me with her desire to be involved in the arts. She is definitely dedicated to her craft!

Choir/Lighting Ceremony

I am sorry about the poor quality. I took this with my dinosaur of a camera. Enjoy!

Olivia - the Philanthropist

This year Em joined a Christmas choir. It requires her to be to school at 7:20!!! So O has been going to daycare in the morning with Ada (neighbor). David sent her over there yesterday with cold pizza for breakfast (that should be a whole new post) but Ada made her french toast and put the pizza in the fridge. Apparently O went in and grabbed it and took it to school. But not to eat. The school is doing a food drive for the Food Bank. She put the bag of pizza under the "holiday tree" at school for...and I quote "I put the pizza there for the poor people who don't have any food." She was distraught though because they then told her that she needed to bring cans. Way to go O - She didn't even tell us that she had a school project like that!
Today, O had shoved money in her pocket from her money jar. She and Emma were fighting about taking money to school. O wanted to "give it to the poor people." You have to love a kid with a heart like that! I love you Olivia!

Lighting Ceremony

Quit schmooshing my cheeks mom!

Our goofy and awesome family!

Me and Steph

I told you there would be a lot of posts....

On Saturday, we went to our city's annual lighting ceremony. We went with the youngest of David's brothers and his wife (one of my partner's-in-crime). It was really nice, mellow and we had a lot of fun just hanging out. We haven't done that in a while, so it was refreshing. The kids all loved the lights and the fireworks show.

I personally love the holidays - and not for the presents. I love the feeling of charity and hope. The hope that maybe next year will be better, less sadness and more joy. I also love celebrating the birth of Christ and the hope that gives us all.

Enjoy this season!