Christmas 2008

Gosh, it's been more than one month since my last family post. So much has happened! I've been to see Aunt Kay who has survived a brain anuerysm -- yes, wow! survived. She is out of the hospital and nearly ready to return to work. John and Kari held watch from the moment it happened in late October to the point of seeing her bon voyage from the rehab hospital. It is really the miracle of 2008.

We went to San Antonio for Thanksgiving and it was so wonderful. We actually drove for the first time in nearly a decade. The boys were so good. On our trip, I killed the two remaining tadpoles inadvertently by turning the heat on. They essentially cooked. The kids have barely forgiven me, but Page received an ant farm from Santa so he's ready to focus on a new animal. While in San Antonio for Thanksgiving, the boys spent time at the ranch and Mom and I were able to tootle around and shop. Jett was always in tow and a good boy. Dinner on Thanksgiving was at Aunt Jerri and Uncle Tom's. It was delicious . . . and very layed back and relaxing. We brought our Wii so the boys were entertained playing and watching football on their huge flat screen televisions.

The Christmas season has been very different this year. We stayed in Fayetteville and Santa came here. We spent Christmas Eve with Freida and Gilbert, Christmas Day at our house and the evening at the cabin. Santa was good to the kids. The "elf on your shelf" had been watching, so it was well-deserved. The elf watches and reports to Santa if you are good or bad. He returns in the morning when you awake to a different place. Page had a friend spend the night early this week. The elf moved while they were watching a late night movie, and they got scared and ended up in bed with me -- two big 9 year olds!! Hilarious! Page is now a believer -- for sure!! What fun we have had! Wayne has kept Page and Declan at the cabin to squirrel hunt and Jett and I have been at the house. He's loved playing with all his new toys -- tractor, trailer, blocks, tools, crane, dump truck . . . and more. He loves his tiger that meows and moves. He named him "Cheeto" after his "all-time" favorite chip.