Christmas Traditions

My family is big on Christmas tradition and don't like to mix it up much - ask any brother-in-law. Christmas Eve is the 'big night' when we all get together and have a turkey or ham dinner and invite a family over. Now that our family has gotten so big, we don't have other families over as often. Then we all gather around the tree and read a christmas story and the kids open one present.

Growning up, on Christmas morning we were not allowed to go downstairs and open presents until we were all gathered on the stairs and mom would take a picture of us...which typically consisted of mom and dad arguing about something for 10 minutes before the picture was taken. (I apologize to all involved about this picture, but keep in mind, it's not as bad as the other gems I could have chosen...also, I look the worst, check out my mullet). This year, it was just me and Nicole. Notice Nicole's devil horns - maybe she was confused and thought it was Satan's birthday.
This is the first year that Noelle has not been here for Christmas. Needless to say, it was a little rough on both of us. She opened a few presents before they left for American Falls. Here's Josie helping Noelle.
Then on Christmas day, we don't really do much. We play with our new 'toys', which in my case, was an iPod Touch (which conviently had a defect so I couldn't do anything with it anyway, I went to exchange it at Costco, and of course, they were out of all of their iPods) then in the evening everyone comes over and we open the presents under the tree. Most years some of us go to a movie. Sinny(mom) and I went to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button...or in Sinny's case, The Curious 'Life' of Benjamin Button. I really liked it.

The Dangly

Ok, so nothing has really been going on lately. I was sick all November with a chest cold and was finally feeling better, but now suddenly I've got a head cold. I feel like maybe my immune isn't working, maybe I have AIDS or something. Anyway, I was thinking, what should I get Nicole for Christmas. Nicole has many interests: Movies, pop verisons of Disney songs, the cats, and 'danglies' (just like how it sounds. It's truely an art form and Nicole is a pro, refer to an earlier post of Nicole dangling in live action). It all started with Scroungy. At one point, mom had hung him over the back porch light to dry and in the process, burned off a limb. He eventually went MIA.

There have been many over the years: Simba, Lamb Chop, Charlie Horse, Pinky...and most recently - Bluey. Call me crazy, but maybe it's time for Bluey to retire.

Birthday

We won't mention my age, but I had a birthday this week. All my sisters, except for Steph (because she lives in beautiful Pocatello) took me to the Jim Brickman Christmas concert on Tuesday night. We went Olive Garden before the show, which is always yummy. Originally, Kirk was going to go but ended up scheduling a work trip at the same time...so poor Ross had to tag along as the only guy. And then at the concert, Josie kept crying so Noelle had to sit on the side, and then Laura ran to the restroom right before the concert started and got back right after the lights went down and they wouldn't let her back to her seat until intermission. So it was just me, Ross and Danielle for half the concert. At one point, Ross looked at Danielle and I with an almost painful look on his face asking where Laura was. I know he just wanted to be at home watching a game. Sorry Ross. Anyway, it was a fun night. Thanks guys!

Then yesterday, Candice came to my office with my favorite homemade oreo cookies and a homemade present. So that's why she was taking pictures in my car with all my pairs of glasses. Thanks Candice! It's on my wall, Biotch.