My December

So, I'm backtraking a little bit...December was a little crazy in our house, especially toward the end of the month. It always seems like I can go for a few weeks or a month with nothing going on, and then everything hits all at the same time. Of course Thanksgiving and Christmas had a little to do with it this time.

The Friday before we left for California started it all. December 14th we went to Dallas to see a Mavericks game. Haynes and Boone (Jeff's old law firm) does work for Curves and invited us to watch the game in their box. It was so cool...Jeff has been to several games before, but this was my first. After the game we went to N9ne Steakhouse (they actually spell the name with a 9 for the i) and then got to stay at the W Hotel, which was super cool. It was like no other hotel I have ever stayed in. I didn't get to take any of my own pictures, so these few from the internet will have to do. My last words to Jeff before we left the house were..."do you think I should bring my camera?" He said "no, it's going to be too big to carry around anyway." I don't know why I ever ask, I always end up regretting not having my camera with me. I need to get a pocket sized camera to take everywhere I go.

The Lobby...the wall changed colors between blue, pink, purple, and white.

The famous Ghost Bar

After staying at the W Hotel, we woke up early the next morning and drove to Waco to pick up the dogs and then drove to Houston for Jeff's cousin's wedding. The next day we got back in the car and drove to Waco so I could be home in time to cook and then we went to our covenant group Christmas get together. All this along with packing, substituting one day, and Jeff's work Christmas party, and we were back in the car on Wednesday, the 19th, to drive to Hosuton again. We arrived with enough time to drop off the dogs and their things, and then we got in the car to drive to the airport. It was so nice once we actually got to the airport. All the craziness was behind us and we were on our way to see my family. I know I was tired, so Jeff had to be with all of the driving he had to do.

Christmas with my family was fun this year. We do the every other year thing with Jeff's family in Houston and mine in San Diego. I dont' have any pictures to post yet. With my dad around, who is the photographer of the family, I didn't feel the need to take any pictures. I now have to wait for him to email them to me.

I haven't seen some of my family in a year and a half, so it was nice to go home and see everyone. My mom and I stayed up and watched old movies, which Jeff was not too excited about...it's not really a movie if the people periodically break out into song and dance. I got to see some of my favorites...White Christmas, Holiday Inn, Five Pennies, The Glenn Miller Story, Good News, and Penny Serenade...just to name a few. We went to the Hotel del Coronado, which is always beautiful at Christmastime, ate at Rubios and In-N-Out (which are the only two places I miss...Texas food is way better), shopped at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, and drove around Laguna Beach.

One of the coolest things we did was go to the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at the San Diego Natural History Museum. Cameras were not allowed inside, so all I have is a piture of my ticket.

Here is a Christmas Questionnaire I was reading on another person's blog. It got me thinking about all of my Christmas memories, so I decided to also do it...

1. Wrapping Paper or Gift Bags? It depends on what the gift is and how tired I am. I prefer wrapping paper, but gift bags are so much easier.

2. Real or artificial tree? I grew up with my family always getting a real tree, but now that I am the one in charge of decorating, we have a pre-lit artificial one. When we have kids we will probably get a second tree every year. I want my kids to have the same experience I did picking out a tree...and nothing beats that real tree smell.

3. When do you put up the tree? The weekend after Thanksgiving...I love having my house decorated for Christmas and I want to enjoy it for as long as possible.

4. When do you take the tree down? The day after New Year's day...Jeff is usually at work, so I spend the day putting everything up and cleaning.

5. Eggnog? NO. Every year I think I'm going to like it, and every year I don't.

6. What is your favorite gift you received as a child? I remember a lot of the things I got for Christmas, but none seem to stick out as being a favorite.

7. Do you put up a nativity scene? Yes

8. Who is the hardest person to buy for? It's a tie between my grandparents and Jeff's grandparents.

9. Who is the easiest person to buy for? Our niece and nephews...kids are always the most fun.

10. What is the worst gift ever received? Any gift ever opened at a "white elephant" gift exchange...are Jeff and I the only two people who think this is the dumbest idea ever?

11. Do you mail or email cards? Mail, of course. There is nothing quite like opening up your mailbox to see a bunch of hand-addressed Christmas cards.

12. What are your favorite Christmas movies? It's a Wonderful Life is my absolute favorite, but White Christmas and Miracle on 34th Street (the old one) are a close second.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I always say I'm going to start early, but it usually happens sometime in December.

14. Have you ever recycled a present? See question 10.

15. What is your favorite thing to eat at Christmas? I'm not a huge sweets fan, but I love toffee and make it every Christmas.

16. Clear or colored lights on the tree. Clear...although I love the big, outside-sized lights my mom put on our tree when I was little. I will probably use the same kind when we do a second tree to make it more fun and festive.

17. What is your favorite Christmas song? My two favorites are O Holy Night and Silent Night. I also like Mary, Did You Know and All Is Well. My favorite song as a child was Away in a Manger.

18. Do you travel at Christmas or stay home? We always travel, either to Houston or California. Growing up, we always did Christmas morning at home and then drove to L.A. to be with the rest of my family. When we have kids I would like to start the same tradition when it is our year to be in Houston...go to our own church Christmas Eve, have Christmas morning in Waco, and then go to Houston.

19. Can you name all of Santa's Reindeer? Of course...Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph.

20. Angel or Star on top of the tree? Star, which I don't really like, so it's changing next year.

21. Do you open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? We open presents in the morning. My sister in-law, Kristi, opens pajama pants with her family on Christmas Eve, and started that with our fmaily two years ago. It is a fun tradition that I would like to keep going.

22. The most annoying thing about Christmas? The crowds and and long lines.

23. Corniest family tradition? I don't think any of our traditions are too corny.

24. What is the ugliest Christmas decoration ever invented? Any of those santas, reindeer, snowmen, etc. that sing and dance when you press a button. As a kid I thought they were great, but now I think they are cheesy.

25. Which looks best, theme trees or homey trees? My tree right now is more of a theme tree with a bunch of ribbon and glass ball ornaments. I have received a lot of ornaments over the years as a teacher and try to get an ornament on every trip we take. Eventually, when we do a second tree, it will be more homey with all of our fun ornaments.

26. What does Christmas mean to you? Most importantly it is a time for us to celebrate our Savior's birth, but it is also a time when we get to see our families and spend time with those we don't see very often.