2009 in review

Christmas 2009

We always keep thinking that Christmas is right around the corner and then poof, its here in our face - always with us forgetting some things or having put off some stuff to do and let them pass because there was always time to do it before Christmas.

Christmas came and went in a flash. The night before Christmas we went over Kara's house for some crazy food.

The kids got tons of gifts once again. Most importantly, Laura got several of her gifts that were marketed on infomercials. Jack got his Hess car, James got his ipod and Catherine got her Zuzu's, among other things.

Early Christmas morning yawns

spongebob squarepants

On Christmas we all went over to Uncle Patrick's house for some good grub and then we went over to Kara's house for some more. Ump was over at Kara's with Paula and Bobby too along with aunt Jo, Nana, Doe and Grammy Micki. Once we were done there we decided that we'd go over Bill and Thresa's house for their annual Christmas night party, calling everyone and anyone and singing 'we wish you a merry christmas'. The kids wore down little by little. It was a long day for them but for the most part, they did great. Nana and Doe went with us over to Thresa's house. Patrick has done over their kitchen and it looks real good.

Ruled by the kids again

Lyn picked up Catherine the other day from pre-school. She hadnt been able to pick her up much lately so Catherine took full advantage. Usually when I pick Catherine up from school she gives a song and dance about how she never gets to go to MacDonalds, Burger King or whatever she choses. Sometimes, of course she wins. Like last week, one day I brought her to MacD's and the other was at Burger King because they have better prizes. Fast forward two days later, Lyn went to pick up Catherine and received a story about how the other kids get to have private time with her or I. Catherine told her that she NEVER goes to Burger King. Of course Lyn bought it hook line and sinker. Lyn repeated the days events and how she felt bad for Catherine because of.........Imagine her surprise in finding out that the NEVER was only two days ago.

I got a billion dollars

We got some envelopes with money in them for the kids. Joan from next door was over the house and she usually gives the kids a gift, this year she told me that she would rather give them a card with money so they could buy what they wanted. Jack was so excited when he opened the card in front of her he yelled out "I got a billion dollar". She told me when she was young there was an 'old' lady down the street from her that used to buy the kids gifts for Christmas and she wanted to be that woman that the kids remember. Jack ran over and gave her a big hug.

O' Christmas Tree

Catching up with the Christmas Tree pictures. A good time was had by all.

Another Christmas Party

Another Christmas party for the family, this time Lyn's family party. It was good to see santa show up and Jackie again went and sat on his lap with no problem. There was a pinata and we had some stars in our family I must say. When all the kids were taking some whacks at the doll it didnt seem to move until Laura got up there and gave it a whack, breaking it wide open. Jimmy did the next one knocking it up into the roof. Jack just likes to hit anything with a stick and Catherine was her dainty self.

They once again had the nativity scene. Jimmy was one of the three kings, Laura was .....i forget what they called the people with the sacks on and Catherine was an angel.

meg and Lyn

Catherine's pre-school Christmas party

We all headed over to Catherines Christmas party at her pre school. she was so happy to have us there. Jack was unbelievable just hanging around in the corner playing with the toys and eating all the chocolate chip cookies. Santa Claus showed up there too and gave Catherine this great shirt. She was also sitting with some boy named Andrew B and her friend Catherine Q.

Whats up December

This cold weather just comes slamming in on us so quickly doesnt it? We really cant complain because we had so many beautiful days in November. Jack and I have gotten into the habit of going out at least once a week when its just he and I in the house all day, at least half the day. He has a girlfriend, the shop owner, at the coffee shop. She stops everything she's doing to come over and pouring Jack's drink. The bad part comes when he wants to eat some coffee cake or muffins. Oh the mess. If he's home he is all over the place, but if its just he and I its do-able. the other day he had done something nutty again and I said "jack !!" and he says to me "Daddy, dont say-you are driving me crazy".
Catherine has been bringing me home great prizes that she makes at school. She loves to be picked up at school by daddy. Alot of the days we are lucky enough to have Karen or Nana pick her up but sometimes I get the honor and it is fun to watch her. Last Friday she and I went out to lunch after I picked her up. I had asked her where she wanted to go and I left it totally up to her as to where we went. Of course she wanted to go to McDonalds for a happy meal. It was good that we went there because we ran into a friend of Grammy Franny's. Lena used to go to Foxwoods with mom and they would share a room. Mom always said she drove her crazy because she would follow her around and look over her shoulder. One thing that mom didnt like was when people followed her around or didnt trust her to be on her own while she was fueling her gambling addiction. The one thing that is hilarious about anywhere we go is that she all of a sudden have to go to the bathroom, like right now. It can get frustrating as hell but she's so cute as she cups her hands and bounces around. so cute I say.
Laura got me to sign up to volunteer again this week. She's so funny at night when she tries to suck me into lying in her bed and doing whatever she wants me to do. I'm thinking she knows how to play daddy. She'll say "daddy, can I talk to you"...and of course I cannot say no to her.
James has been doing baseball and basketball again. Obviously it is indoor baseball. He's just doing a hitting clinic but he's loving it. On Saturday he plays basketball. He hustles his heart out but unfortunately he gets his father's basketball genes. He was playing against Claytons team this week and of course he was doing his usual trash talking with him. they are good kids.

I'm a lucky birthday boy

I was at the family christmas party yesterday and someone asked me how old i was going to be tomorrow. i told them I was going to be 35. The bartender was confused because he had played football with me thirty years ago and couldnt understand how I could be in the same league, same age group as he was while I was such a young age. I guess that is what you call "Busted" !!

First Christmas party