These are a Few of My Favorite Things Right Now

* Having time off after Christmas to lounge around and be super lazy!

* Watching my boys play with their new toys.

* Cuddling up and watching movies with the kids.

* Popcorn and hot chocolate after the kids go to bed!

* More time to scrapbook.

* Helping the boys make the bunk bed into a fort that they have played in all day. As I type, both boys are asleep in the fort. How cute!

* Spending more of my time in my jammies than my regular clothes.

* Snacking on the delicious holiday treats and not caring about the calories until I go back to work!

* Playing board games and listening to music with my family.

* Shopping at any time of the day!

Mini Mafia

C'mon! Aren't they the cutest little guys! Friday night we went to a family Christmas party at our friend Donise's house. The day before we had to buy Jaxon a nice outfit to wear to a play in Walnut Creek. Mason had to have one too, so I made them promise they would wear them to the party that night as well. They were so excited to dress up that they wanted to sleep in the outfits. Jaxon was heard saying "I could get used to this!" when he was getting dressed. Too funny!!!

'Tis the Season

A Different Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, .......perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
It sounded like footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled there in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

'What are you doing?' I asked without fear,'
Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!
'For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
Then he sighed and he said 'Its really all right ,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night.'

'It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask ........or beg or implore me
I'm proud to stand..... like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,'
Then he sighed, 'That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.
'My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures; he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... An American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother....
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.'

'So go back inside,' he said, 'harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right.'
'But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
'Give you money,' I asked, 'or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son.'
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
'Just show us you love us and never forget.

And when we come home, either standing or dead,
Honor the ones who have fought and have bled,
That's payment enough, and with that we will trust
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us!'

Happy December!!!

My favorite season has officially begun! I am a sucker for the holidays as it forces me to slow down a bit and focus on the things that really matter, like shopping, crafting, and eating. Just kidding! Although those are some of my favorite things as well, I truly love this time of year as we all make a conscious effort to be thankful for our blessings and take the time to show each other we care. There does seem to be a kindness in the air amidst the hustle and bustle of the chaotic shopping sprees and a rush to fit it all in. So as you go about your everyday life, and try to fit in all the extras that the holidays require, remember to take the time to breathe, take it all in, and make some amazing memories. In the end, that's all we have! Take care and enjoy. Oh, and beware, I do tend to get uncharacteristically sentimental during this time of year. You have been warned!

Rocky Coast, North Pole, Deep Sea

All in one weekend we went to hit the rocks in Monterey, took a train to the North Pole, and dove under water to visit the fish. For years we have made a point to visit Monterey atleast twice a year. We usually go after the holidays, but last year we found Holiday Lights at Bonfante Gardens in Gilroy and now we are making it a tradition to go much earlier than usual. So we packed up and headed out early Saturday morning. We arrived in time to climb the rocks on the coast, but the tide was so high that we couldn't go out as far as we are used to. The city was so crowded we couldn't find parking so we changed our plans to go to the Aquarium and went to the wharf for chowder bowls. Yum! After checking into our hotel in Gilroy, we bundled up and headed for Gilroy Gardens. One of the highlights of the night was writing a letter to Santa. Other highlights included a train ride, driving the cars, lots of rides, hot chocolate, and getting to wear our hats and gloves! Sunday we went to our favorite place...the Aquarium. Mason's favorite thing was the sharks and Jaxon loved it all! Of course, my favorite remains the Jellyfish. Very cool!

Third Time is NOT a Charm

ok, I am sick of being sick! I have just suffered through the third weekend of having a cold. I'm actually not convinced it's a cold and perhaps some Fall allergies. Makes no difference what it is, it's making me crazy! I am too tired to go anywhere and not tired anought to actually sleep. So I'm doing a lot of hanging around the house. Not getting a lot done. Just resting through the weekends just to make it through my crazy work weeks. Now it's off to bed becuase I walked ot the park with the kids today and boy am I whooped! Ha!

Family News

Not only did Holly and Tim get engaged this month, they also moved into their first home. Here are pics from the engagement day and also the House warming party.