Christmas Time 2014

I totally forgot some stuff that happened.....

Back in November, Ralph became an "AKC Star Puppy".

Always one to advocate for our peppy puppy, Katie just reminded me that we didn't take his picture and put it on the blog.

So, we got 'er done.

He got a fancy certificate and a medal

(which the kids had him wear to the bus stop to show off).

Next he can go for "Canine Good Citizen."

And I can safely say that we won't be getting that designation for a LOOOOOOONNNNNG time.

Now, the next thing I forgot.

I forgot to post a video of our Christmas tree hunting trip.

Here you go.....

And last but not least, I got to go on a date for my birthday.

An ALL DAY DATE.  "The Day of Dating."

We dropped the kids off at gymnastics camp.

We dropped the dog off at doggie day camp.

We spent three hours watching The Hobbit: Battle of Five Armies

and then had a yummy lunch at a fancy restaurant.

Huzbend enjoyed a lamb burger.

He said it was good.

I did not try it because the thought of lamb makes me want to puke.

I had mac n' cheese.

Um.  Yeah.

I did.

But, it was FANCY mac n' cheese.

Okay.

Moving on to Christmas now.

Because of the addition of Ralph, The Dog Who Eats All (rocks, dirt, moss, rabbit poop...), we had to have our Christmas tree downstairs.

I liked the fact that the kids couldn't see the presents under the tree when they woke in the morning. 

We've always had our tree in the living room and because of the layout of our house, all the kids had to do was look out their doors and they could see the tree.

Here's Mikey's reaction:

And the unwrapping began......

Kindles.....

 .....the Bat Cave....

....and Smaug!  Oh my!

The wrapping paper flew about the room and, then, just like that, it was over.

The Flash would've been proud.

"Huh?"

To All: Thanks for all the wonderful gifts!!!!!

Then everyone got sick.

The flu.

I'm totally not kidding.

We spent the good majority of our Winter Break sick.

Us parents even downed some Nyquil.

Unheard of!

So, we spent the whole vacation sitting at home sniffling, coughing, having rolling waves of nausea, not eating very much, napping, playing video games, zombie-shuffling the dog through horrifically long walks, building legos and watching the MythBusters TV marathon.

Katie, Mikey and I had recovered enough to join some of our friends for a New Years party.

(Huzbend stayed home and helped himself to the previously mentioned Nyquil)

All the kids made it to midnight - Mikey's first time ever - with the help of Jello Jigglers (yes, non-alcoholic), Fruity Pebble Treats (yes, marijuana free) and the Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone movie.

A good time was had by all, but especially by the grown ups who played

Cards Against Humanity while the kiddies were engaged in the wizarding world upstairs.

Tee-hee.

It was finally, on the last Saturday of the break, that all of us were well enough to actually get out and do something.

And that something was rock climbing.

To be more specific, bouldering.

The kids LOVED it.

They climbed and climbed and climbed some more.

Eventually, they wanted to try some "non-kid stuff".

They went upstairs to a section that you could climb up and over and down the other side.

Both Katie and Mikey made it up to the top and down.

It was impressive.

They can't wait to go back.

Annnnnd, vacation over.

That was it.

Back to school.  Back to work.  Back to, uh, the house.

(that's where I hang out)

Huzbend's first day back to work and back to biking brought warm temps in the 50's.

Which meant the end of "The Hair".

 Merry Late Christmas to me!