A Taste of Heaven

We attempted to go see Marley & Me in the theatres last night. Well, being opening weekend, we didn't even think that they wouldn't let us use our movie passes that we got for Christmas. So, we decided to wait to see the movie . . . and since we were in the area of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, we just HAD to stop in for some "HOT NOW" doughnuts. Man, oh man, these things are a little piece of heaven!!! They literally melt in your mouth. Yummy goodness.

There's nothing quite as beautiful as a box of fresh Krispy Kreme Doughnuts:

Scott sportin' the very stylish Krispy Kreme hat. He hasn't had a doughnut yet, can't you just fell the anticipation in the air?:
Ryan's animal instincts come out. Maybe he's seen too many Man Vs. Wild or Survivorman episodes:

Look at that . . . just melting in my hand. And, no, I wasn't trying to be clever with my "fat free" milk to offset my very fat doughnut - I only like to drink fat free milk - all other milk is gross:

Krispy Kreme's always put a smile on my face:

After our Krispy Kremes, it was off to Zia's for some much needed music purchases! Three of my favorite bands decided to release new CD's right before Christmas. I finally got around to getting them - The All-American Rejects, Fall Out Boy and Nickelback. It's always a fun trip to Zia's. They sell new & used and you never know what you are going to find there. I really could spend a small fortune there. I try to use good judgement and not go overboard. Love that place.

Christmas Morning

Ryan was very excited about Christmas this year. His Santa letter was pretty short, but very precise in the things he was wishing for. He was a very good boy this year so Santa was good to him. After spending the Christmas Eve at my brothers house, we didn't get home until close to 10pm. We still had to set out our cookies and an apple for the reindeer. Then it was off to bed. Ryan went to sleep very quickly.

He woke up the first time at 5:15. I told him we would get up at 6:30, so he needed to go back to sleep. After tossing & turning until 6am, he finally went back to sleep and didn't get up until 7:30. It was nice to get a chance to sleep in a bit.

Christmas morning was nice. We played our Christmas music while opening gifts.

Sam, Scott & Ryan waiting to open gifts:

A brand new, Flameboy World Industries skateboard:
Nintendo DS, Ryan kept wondering why he was getting Gameboy & Nintendo DS games when he didnt' have either one of those game systems:
Doug and his new remote control chopper from Scott:

Scott playing with Ranger and the dogs new lobster toy in their stocking:

Christmas Eve Party

Every year on Christmas Eve family gathers together at my brother's house to celebrate. This year, it was my family, my parents, two of my brothers and some of their children, Doug's parents, his brother and family. We each bring a favorite Mexican dish. This year we ate Taco Salads, Beef Tamales, Beef Taco Bake and Cheese Enchiladas. Everything was yummy! After eating and visiting, we participated in our Christmas Eve Gift Exchange. This is a tradition in my family from before I was even born. My family has always gathered together on Christmas Eve to open one gift. Everyone attending brings a gift under $5. We all draw numbers. This year, there were 25 of us participating. Each person gets to choose a gift or steal a gift that has already been opened. Some years there is a lot of stealing that takes place, and some years very little. This year was a pretty tame year for stealing. After all the gifts are open, various members of the family participate in a play depicting the first Christmas. It's fun to watch this. Usually the kids are the ones in the play, but sometimes there just aren't enough kids and adults are asked to join. The thing that makes it fun - nobody knows who or what part they will play until that evening. So, the audience gets a treat watching the reactions of those in the play. One of my favorite memories was when my nephew Parker played the donkey. He had a great time hee-hawing onto the "stage". He's a good sport like that. I, of course, have a great time snapping pictures like mad to capture as much of the evening as possible. These pictures tend to show up years later for a good laugh. I will have to dig through my archives to see if I can find that donkey again! This year, Doug took over the camera for a bit which is fun - it's always fun to see what other people like to take pictures of - he did a pretty good job with the camera. My favorite photo from the evening was shot by Doug. I hope you enjoy the pics!!!

Patti & Chandler at the beginning of the evening:

Look at all those gifts! And to think this tradition started with my parents and their children. At most, we would have 7 gifts to choose from (and almost always there were chocolate covered cherries and Life Saver Books - and we would steal, steal, steal to get those two items!!!)

My father-in-law opening his gift. It eventually got stolen and he got to open a new one:
Okay, this is pretty funny. Scott, my nephew, brought this football for the gift exchange and then choose his own gift. He did get to bring it home. Wouldn't it have just been easier to buy it for yourself, not buy it, wrap it, unwrap it and then get to play with it?
My mom got a Halloween mug for Christmas. Pretty funny. Patti & I are Halloween crazy. We absolutely love that holiday and yet neither one of us stole this mug from my mom.

My oldest brother, Bill and his wife Angela enjoying the evening. They just moved here this year. It's been fun enjoying them and their two youngest children that live here now.

Slim pickin's on the gifts. Warren was one of the last to pick from the pile.
Slinkies are as much fun today as they were when I was a kid! My neice Hayden got this as her first pick and was so afraid that somebody was going to steal it. You know what they say - fun for a girl and a boy!I really like this picture. My neice Annie dressed up as a wiseman getting ready for the Christmas Eve production! She was just in a wonderful one-act play at her school based on one of my favorite Christmas stories - The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

Me and my parents patiently waiting for the Christmas play to begin.

Ryan got to play Samual. He was the prophet that foretold the birth of Christ and has stones thrown at him - only they couldn't hit him.
This is my favorite picture from the evening. We were all given wadded up wrapping paper to use as stones to throw at Samual. Look at my dad, he is enjoying throwing "stones" at his grandson a little too much! He is actually the only one that hit Ryan with the paper.

Here are Mary (Patti), Joseph (William), two shepherds (Hayden and Amber) and one angel (Chandler).

A fun evening was had by all. Then it was off to bed to wait for Santa to come.

An "Early" Christmas

On Dec. 22, we met with Doug's family to exchange our Christmas Gifts. Doug's brother is in town. We spent the evening with Doug's parents, brother and girlfriend and 3 kids, and sister and her son. The evening began with a balloon fight between the two older boy cousins. They had a great time "fighting" with a couple of barely inflated balloons. They got in some pretty good hits on each other. As the night progressed, Doug's brother, Bill, played Santa and passed out all the gifts. It was an evening of visiting, snacking and sharing our gifts with each other.

Here are the boys having their balloon fight - William & Ryan:

Doug's Mom:
Doug's Dad:
Doug's Brother, Bill:

Ryan opening & enjoying his gifts:

Late Night Movie

Saturday night, Ryans good friend is spending the night, so we decided to go to the movies. We went to the 10:30 showing of Bolt - in 3D. I have to tell you, 3D movies have come a long way since I was a kid. I can remember seeing them and leaving with a headache. Today they are amazing. And the glasses are a lot more comfortable than the old paper ones. It was a good time. Although, both of the adults had a hard time keeping their eyes open!

The boys anxiously waiting for the movie to begin! There was us and one other family in the theater. It was great!!! We had the best seats in the house.

Ryan & Adrian looking all Rock Star in their 3D glasses:

Me & Doug sporting our not-as-cool as the boys look in our glasses. Man, I really look great, don't I? In my defense, I worked an 11+ hour shift.

You can't possibly enjoy the movies without that fantastic movie theater popcorn! I don't know how they do it. The only problem with it, the stray kernel pieces that get stuck in your teeth.

Christmas Memories

Doug & Ryan in 1999:

Ryan and musical Snowman in 2000:

Santa & Ryan in 2002:

Our new puppy Ranger in 2003:

Christmas Morning 2005:

A great gift from Grandma & Grandpa Harper in 2006:

2007:

Hanging the Star Wars M&M ornaments:

White Elephant Gift:

Playing Dart tag with cousins on Christmas Day:

A trip down memory lane & visiting some of our old Christmas Memories. We have been very lucky to have such wonderful times to look back on. I look forward to many more wonderful times to come.

Friday Night Pillow Fight

Scott, Doug & Ryan - a free for all pillow fight:

Scott comin' at me! Gotta love the crazy expression:


It was a normal Friday night. Ryan had a friend over from school. We were making dinner plans, when suddenly . . . a pillow fight broke out. We have the most awesome coke pillows. They are shaped like Coke Cans and are so soft. They are the best to chill on the couch with. Well, apparently they are the best to pillow fight with.

Decorating our Christmas Trees

Doug & Ryan decorating our Coca-Cola tree:

Ryan putting an ornament on our other Christmas tree. This one is in our front room decorated with all of our personal ornaments, and purple and silver:


We finally got around to decorating our house for Christmas. We put up both of our trees and then finished up with the rest of our decorations. I had such a great time putting up our decorations. I love my Coke Village, my collection of Santas - some that I made out of ceramics and one that my mom made out of ceramics, my snowmen and snow flake collection. The house feels so merry and bright! Ryan was happy to see our musical snowman. We got him when Ryan was about 2 years old. He LOVES this snowman and has since the first time we got him. When you press his mittened hand, he plays different Christmas Carols while his cheeks light up. It has been fun watching Ryan update all of our countdown to Christmas Calendars and to put together the Legos from his Lego Advent Calendar. Have I mentioned that we love Legos in our house?