Christmas 08

When it comes to Christmas this year, all I can say is "WOW!" Even with everything else going on, I had a fantastic Christmas with friends and family. I love that Nikki and Anna are in town! I got to see both of them and have a chance to hang out. I also got to spend time with Mike's family and had a blast playing with the kids there. One funny event from his family's Christmas...We took the Wii and all our games there so we could share with the kids and "show off" our new games. The kids wanted to play the Carnival games, so Mike helped them set it up and played a round or two with them. When we first got the game we made a goofy character to explore the games with. We named him Boob. So...while all of Mike's family looks on as all the kids gather around to play the Wii...there is a character on the screen named Boob. Classic.

Time spent at my mom's was entertaining as well. Like usual, we tell my mom and Chuck to go easy with the presents...and they don't listen. As Mike says, "They spoiled the crap out of us!!!" Some of the goodies that "Santa" felt the need to get us include Wii games, a snow shovel that is a snow blower, and a gift card with a note that said "Maybe for a new TV." Mike and I saw that gift card and just about had heart attacks! We priced new LCDs TVs and found a great sale at Best Buy and put the gift card towards it. So, at this very second, Mike is playing Guitar Hero on our new 32 inch LCD tv that we love. It's amazing how much my mom has always done for us kiddos. Not that the presents are everything, but my family is pretty cool. :-) We had a fun time at church on Christmas Eve, especially when Mike tripped while carrying a candle-thank goodness it wasn't lit at the time!! It was great having time to spend with my family and giggle at all the funny things that always seem to happen at my mom's.

One other almost Christmas event was that my brother proposed to his girlfriend on Saturday. She seems very nice and I hope they will be very happy. My family hopes to get to know her better. It seems like we haven't had much time with my brother and her lately, so all we can do is wish them the best and hope to see them more at some point. They have been looking for a place to live lately and we are hoping they stay in the area, or at least Ohio, but who knows.

This year Mike and I have had many talks about what we are truly grateful for and how lucky and blessed we are. There are many people are not so fortunate to have the loving family support we do. We have a house, a new marriage, our fuzzy children, and our health. Life is good!!!