Happy New Year!

Thanks to Grammy Carol for the lovely Christmas gifts received, the kids just loved them:

Jacob checking out the 1st Christmas photo album.

Zach discovering the world of Narnia, in the form of a pop up book (that is the most beautiful pop up book I have ever seen!)

Tristan explaining what sound a mammoth makes.

Kaitlynn twirling around with her purple *yes, that's right... purple* too-too (how do you spell that anyways?)

One of the scenes from the Narnia book.

The Lion from Narnia.

The 1st Christmas photobook that Grammy Carol put together... just lovely, especially with the ladybug paper!

If you are wondering if the kids are all wearing the same t-shirt, they are. They got their gift from Uncle Mark, who works for Disney Animation Studio, and the t-shirts are from this studio (they have Mickey on it, which just made everyone's day).

It has come to my attention that people I didn't expect to be reading my blog have been... I am honored and touched that these people enjoy this glimpse into our lives. So I am going to make an effort to keep posting at least every two days... oh my, this looks and smells like a New Years resolution doesn't ? Damn, and I don't particular like resolutions..... Some days I run out of things to write, and other days I have so much to say that its hard to limit things to one post. I will try to find a happy medium by posting every other day.

I wish you all the best for the New Year. I am hoping for a quiet year, to be honest... what are you wishing for?

Merry Christmas!

This would have been the best Christmas on record, if it weren't for the skunk that is presently in our driveway fixing on passing away there and the TV going wonky on its horizontal hold. Here are some choice pics from the fun. Merry Christmas everyone!

Getting Santa's plate ready.

Everyone get on the train to go to bed, Santa is coming!

Boys being boys... playing the modern day version of marbles, with Bakugans.

Opening up my first Christmas present - Minnie!

Diego rocks!

Taking a Nintendo break

Welcome to the annual Christmas day Garage League... literally. Don't believe me, look at the next picture.

The game was won by one goal, but one important player was missing
- Grammy Carol as goalie was not able to make the game!

Jacob talking on the phone to Grandmaman and Grandpapa Hammel, all the way out in S'toon.

All dressed up for Christmas dinner.

...but first I have to play with my brothers' hockey cards.

Daddy and me, after dinner.

Ruff.

So what do you do when you are sick?

This is what I do when I am sick - fever, cold, sore throat... yes, the whole kit:

Butter cookies, chocolate hearts, mice, butter cookies dipped in chocolate and more mice.

Close up of mice and butter cookies dipped in chocolate.

Mice close up.

Chocolate hearts.

Yes, I know, completely mental... but boy are they good!

Christmas tag

So I've been tagged by brn2scrp, so here goes (keep in mind I am sick and delusional, so I can't be held responsible for weird answers... more on my sickies later):

01. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Santa Sacks - this dates from my mother, so we are going back at least 30 years here before recycling was fashionable. I still have some of the original bags she would use.

02. Real or artificial tree?
Real baby.

03. When do you put up the tree?
whenever we have time. This year it was after our Christmas party with other adoptive families but I have been known to put it up on Dec 23-24th.

04. When do you take the tree down?
When I can't stand the needles everywhere.

05. Do you like eggnog?
Love it... especially the new creamy one from President's Choice with some spicy rum.

06. Favorite gift received as a child?
Our family grandfather clock - weird, I know, but it was the center piece of our household.

07. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes... somewhere... not very safe to put it out cause its made of porcelain.

08. Hardest person to buy for?
My Dad was always the hardest to buy for, hands down.

09. Easiest person to buy for?
Me... no the kids I guess.

10. Worst Christmas gift ever received?
Oh god... all right... here goes: I came home from university for Christmas, and saw a big huge box under the tree. I was so convinced it was the computer I had been begging for, I nearly went into shock when I opened the box and found... a desk lamp. The letdown was hard to hide, cause my parents were so proud and happy about the lamp. I still have the lamp today - its got my alumn crest on it. I doubt I would still have the computer.

11. Mail or Email Cards?
Hmmmm... whatever is easier for those sending cards. I just want one, regardless of how it comes.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Rudolf the rednose reindeer... yup, the old one made with clay animation. That abominable snowman still scares me to this day.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
September-ish, after school supplies and the like are done.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
ummm... don't think so.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Chocolate mice, shortbread cookies, turkey and cranberries.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
The Muppets Christmas cd... I kid you not, it wouldn't be Christmas without Kermit and Piggy fighting over Figgie pudding.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Stay home!

19. Can you name Santa's reindeer?
Let's see, there's Dasher, Dancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitsen. I do recall the most famous reindeer of all. Am I close?

20. Do you have an Angel on top of the tree or a star?
Nope... won't fit this year, so its a series of bows.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas day, if we have the older boys. Otherwise Christmas is celebrated the 23rd, if the older boys are with their father.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
The rampant commercialism - in China, were they don't celebrate Christmas, they were putting up decorations and playing Christmas music everywhere. Why? I haven't a clue... but that was my clue to the power of commercialization.

I'm tagging Doris for this one. Now, off to do homework!