Christmas 2008

Winding down the Christmas season, the lull between Christmas and New Year's when you never know what day of the week it might be or where you will be taking a nap.  We need this down time before kicking off the next year, the next project, the next school semester, the next road trip. 

Today, it's rainy and cool, the perfect day to set around, watch some football, balance the checkbook (take a few Tums while I am at that) and just lounge around with the family.  I am on call today, so not much planned other than the aforementioned laziness.

The big hits this year:

1.  The Wii: the boys are strapped in and loving the new game console.  I spent some time with the console last night setting up the parental controls, wireless access point (really cool) and learning the controls and user interface.  Right now, the new Spiderman game is getting lots of playtime.  The Wii even has a daily log to tell you how long each game was played and total playing time, great for parents!  The boys have their electronic timer going for their alloted time periods.

2.  Roasted pecans!  My Mom and Tricia made a batch yesterday and we did our best to stay out of the bag all the way home, not likely but we tried.  I could have eaten the entire batch alone.  Good stuff.

3.  Rush Snakes and Arrows DVD:  tour that Miles and I saw is also included.  One of the best shot video concerts in terms of camera angles.  It was my gift to Miles.

4.  McCoy Tyner Guitars:  John Coltrane's piano player teams up with jazz guitar heroes like John Scofield, Bill Frisell, Marc Ribot, Bela Fleck (ok, it's a banjo) and Derek Trucks on classic jazz tunes and originals.  Also includes bonus DVD of the studio sessions.  The family gift to me.  

5.  Stomp tickets at the Peace Center: my gift to the family, for the show on the weekend after school gets out in June.  Should be a highlight of the year for us.

6.  Keller's Squirrel that his Mommy got for him.  It's a play toy that squeaks and he is so proud of it.

Don't forget the great tile back splash in the kitchen and we have a great Christmas for all.  Tricia got a nice throw blanket from Mast General Store and a Bird song clock for her classroom.  Right now she is out getting her beauty treatment (not that she needs it) at the salon.  

The in laws will be here next week, so I see some cleaning and rearranging in our short term future.  But, until then, it's football and relaxing.  Tomorrow, we are heading down to Anderson to go to church with our friends, the Barfields and have lunch.  Enjoy your weekend!

See ya!