New Years Eve

Chances are you're reading this next year -- so Happy New Year! Tonight we had Annette's family over for dinner to welcome in 2007. Some random quotes from the evening particularly stick out:

Gina - Now I'll have to wait until August before I'm interested in football again.
(After watching the Bengals lose to the Steelers)

Adam - Just get in the car! It doesn't matter where we go!
(Said to Mark, Gina and Annette after the grandparents and Uncle Kevin offered to watch the little guys for two hours allowing the parents to go out and party --- at Starbucks)

Annette - My kidney's hurt!
(Not sure about that one, but I hear it has something to do with pre-natal kickboxing)

Katie had the camera at the dinner table. Below are a few of her shots:

Christmas Morning

A couple photos from this morning's events. Santa brought a new playhouse for the kiddo this year. Immediately he took a book inside his new place and began to "read." He has also found it good for playing peekaboo.

Elmo Christmas

We had a blessed and wonderful Christmas morning watching the kiddo open gifts, but a sign of the times could not be escaped. After the Christmas loot was sorted, we discovered Elmo was everywhere. He was in the books, in the tape measure, and even in a shrunken head known as a giggle ball. Oh yeah - and don't forget the 3 DVD's featuring Elmo. At least he wasn't in any underwear this year. We're sure that's coming down the pike but Santa is waiting another year or two.

Jingle Bust

Jingle Bugs is no longer with us. After a late night surgical procedure, poor Jingle Bugs didn't make it.

R.I.P.

Jingle Bugs

Christmas 2004 - Christmas 2006

Jingle Bugs

We have a book here called "Jingle Bugs." It's a pop-up book with a musical Christmas Tree at the end. Unfortunately the switch for the battery operated Christmas Tree recently got permanently stuck in the "on" position. This means the book, whether open or closed, plays Jingle Bells continuously. This wasn't a problem until Annette had had enough and told me to do something. So, I shoved the book between two mattresses in the spare bedroom and left it to die. That was 7 days ago and as of this afternoon, it was still going.

Traditions begin at Kroger

After great debates over the merits of artificial vs. 'live' Christmas trees, we decided to take a nap... which is why, after other holiday festivities and obligations, we were only left with the time for a quick run to the supermarket to procure our first 'live' holiday Tannenbaum. It was a comedy of errors including excess luggage in our trunk, a lack of twine and a screaming child who did not understand the significance of his parents fumbling their way towards creating new 'traditions'.

After less debate--and more laughter--we've resolved in future years to leave ourselves at least half a day--not just 20 minutes--to hunt down our tree in hopes it will be a bit more respectable 'tradition'.

After all was said and done, the kiddo was head over heels for the new addition to our decor -- declaring the lights "preedy" while quickly clearing off the ornaments from the bottom half of the tree.

Trip to Springfield

Today we went on a visit to Springfield for the Washington County Christmas Parade and craft show at the old Opera House. Below are a few photographic observations from the day. As they say, "Ya ain't from around here, are ya?"

I had to walk down in front of this store twice to take the photo above. Annette just couldn't get over a Tuxedo Rental and Family Bookstore business-combo. The first time I walked down the street to snap a quick one, there was a family sitting in the green van shown in the photo. I try not to freak people out too much with my photography so I declined to take the photo until after they left. Hence the reason for a second trip.

Who would pay 50 cents for packing peanuts in a Snowman bag with the title Snowman Poop? I guess everybody has to make a living... even the snowmen poopers.

Why does this guy look like he's about to trip over his own two feet shortly before the Dodge Neon runs him over? Perhaps because he's an Elvis impersonator showing off in front of the local newspaper's photographer. What would a Christmas parade be without Elvis?

We left the parade and ate at a local restaurant in downtown. After finishing our meal, Santa came in and was greeting the children. So, using less than my best fatherly judgment, I handed my son to a complete stranger (who for all I know could be a psycho-path) dressed in a Santa outfit just to see what would happen. Let's just say the little one wanted nothing to do with the strange bearded man. He didn't freak out or even cry, but he sure was confused. After leaving the restaurant and getting into our car, I noticed Santa leaving also. Coincidentally, in case anyone asks you, when he's not runnin' around with Rudolph, Santa drives a white Toyota Avalon. He followed us on the way to Bardstown. Seeing Santa in the rear view mirror was a strange experience and we're glad the little one wasn't any older otherwise we'd have alot of explaining to do.

Other photos from the day

Toddlers Falling from the Sky!

Christmas Tree hunt

Another photo from the Christmas Tree hunt last Saturday.