Happy Holidays 2008

I got an early Christmas present this year that let Lisa and I sneak into the holiday photo. So instead of the "arm extension" photo method I've become famous for, the tripod/self timer button did the trick.

We hope everyone (and when I say everyone I mean the 7 people who read my blog) has a great Christmas and Happy New Year!

Our holiday memories list is brought to you by "White Christmas Ale", when a cold frosty mug just isn't enough.

1. Aubrey and Hadley are playing "child labor". Right now Hadley works at TJ Maxx and Aubrey is asking her to sign a contract for cleaning her room. Then they are planning what to do with their earnings. Go to the movie theatre, buy some good birthday presents and more. "We're going to be so popular if we invite our friends and give them some tickets."

2. Aubrey telling Papa Rich that he has really fat fingers. Then she asked if he had tiny fingers hidden under his fat fingers. Hadley joining in and told him he must have baby fingers under the big fingers.

3. Lights. Lights and More Lights. The Falmouth House. Tillis Park in St. Louis. Christmas Place. And the Kreiger Glass House with the lights synched up to music. Tonight would be a perfect night for Christmas in the Park with the snow.

4. Each of the kids made a Christmas list with 30+ items. Including "spray". Not sure what kind they want. Probably not the bug version.

5. "MONO-POLY". Not Mo-no-poly.

6. Aubrey asking Lisa if our baby angel is a "messenger from God".

7. Sydney learning her black belt teasing skills wayyyy before I did. The repeat something totally random when your sibling asks you for something. "Sydney, can you give me my pillow?" you respond with, "Can I give you your potato?". Then make up ten to twenty new things that have nothing to do with a pillow. Drives the kids nuts. I swear I did not teach her this.

8. Watching my Jayhawks lose "3" games in about three weeks (Orangemen, U-Mass, Arizona) and thinking "they might not make the tournament". It's been 20 years of nothing but winning for me. I like winning National Championships much better.

9. Gingerbread house, cookies galore, Lisa's holiday music, spending a healthy holiday with her Dad, taking time off from work and playing Christmas Story Monopoly with the kids.

10. Baby Loewen playing kickball inside. It's never too early to teach kids about not playing ball in the house. With this one, we may be in trouble.