Christmas Eve

The adults and the girls gathered in the kitchen to nibble on finger foods.



The boys played Guitar Hero in the Rec Room.



Ben's really good, and Jack is learning, though he'd far prefer to play Lego Star Wars.



David thought he was playing.



Then we exchanged gifts, and I ate Tonya's homemade cheesecake. There are a lot of pictures of me eating cheesecake.



Jack's just as taken with Ben as he is with Ben's gifts.



Here's all four kids, and me eating more cheesecake.



After the gifts, Ben challenged Russ to a round of Guitar Hero. I'm pretty sure I ate more cheesecake.



Todd and Amy.



Baby David, right before he broke the wine glass.



In Texas it's legal to shoot off Pretty Major Fireworks if you're outside city limits. Guess who lives outside city limits?



Pretty.



Major.



Fireworks.



The delight is evident.

arrival

Apparently C-3PO and R2-D2 had stopped by Uncle Russ's before we arrived to drop off a present for Jack. He was very pleased to find Lego Star Wars for the PS2. Uncle Russ set him up and he's been playing at every opportunity. Gives the adults time to socialize and do grown-up things.



Here's Wendy, Russ and Tonya's angel dog. She's a 5-yr-old purebred Golden that came to them through the SPCA. She'd been dropped off at closing time Friday night by a family whose baby developed an allergy to her. Russ and Tonya were at the SPCA Saturday morning to meet her and bring her home. "Best 65 dollars I've ever spent," says Tonya.



And here's Tonya, our fabulous host. She and Russ have been married about 4 years, I think. Their house in Houston is gorgeous. Tonya's style really appeals to me. They're very gracious hosts. I feel very comfortable here, and very welcome.



Here's Uncle Russ, Master of His Domain.



We're happy to be here.

The Journey

This year for Christmas we drove to Houston, TX, to spend the holidays with some of Dave's family. Since moving to Arizona we've had every Christmas with MamaDee and PapaDee. That's the tradition, what feels familiar. This year we broke with tradition. Though we miss the Familiar Family Christmas, it's been nice to share the holidays with another side of our family.


We left only an hour late the Saturday before Christmas. Jack prepared to climb into the car only to find his seat occupied by Harry, who had returned from the North Pole with an early Christmas present from Santa. Harry brought Jack a Leapster and a Batman game to play on the long ride to Houston. Though the photo is blurry, the joy is evident.

Jack played and played. When the second set of batteries on the Leapster ran out, Jack watched the tiny TV. On long trips like these he prefers to watch School House Rocks or vintage cartoons. Don't ask me why. It's OK with me. And when he started getting grouchy and whiny, he turned it off and went to sleep.



He slept for three hours, and I stitched and stitched. Now that I'm knitting I find that I thoroughly enjoy long car trips. Gives you lots of time to work on that knit 1, purl 1 ribbing.

Harry

Here's Jack with Harry. Harry is an emissary from the North Pole, gifted by MamaDee and PapaDee to Jack the year he was two and we rode The Polar Express. Each year since then, Harry goes back to the North Pole to help Santa in his workshop, and each year he comes back to Jack a little after Thanksgiving. This year he came back after Thanksgiving and then disappeared again. You'll find out why in the next post.

Winterhaven

Me, Dave, and Cassie at Winterhaven. Jack's the photographer.

Sunday thrifting

Santa Brazey at 22nd Street Thrift Store, trying hard to remove that hat but tugging his ear instead!




Backseat Boys

finished!

with flaws. The ribbing is OK but somewhere I got off one on the decrease. So Kewpie can wear it and I'll knit her a sweater and pants to go with it.

Saturday, December 1

I snapped these pictures a week ago, but after the allergic reaction to clarithromycin, I forgot to post. Enjoy!

what next, babysitter?

Mom: All done! Please send further instruction.

there were four in the bed

and the little one said, "Roll over, roll over!"

serious, somber brazey baby

can't help lovin' dat Brazey

Wednesday dental day

check this out:


The school nurse gave this to Jack after his tooth fell out when he took a big bite of salami at lunchtime today. It says TOOTH SAVER and it's tiny.


Inside was his tiny little tooth, the one on the right of his two front bottom teeth. That's three baby teeth lost now.


Funny that he should finally lose that tooth on the day he was scheduled to see Dr. Gibson for a filling. He's so amazing at the dentist. I'm just in awe. He insists on the special sunglasses to keep the light out of his eyes; he giggles when Dr. Gibson lowers the chair; he opens his mouth wide when told to do so and follows all directions from Dr. Gibson and the assistant. The only time he freaked a little was when Dr. G put the cotton in his mouth. Last time, when he had his teeth sealed, she said to him, "I'm going to put more cotton by your tongue," to which he replied, "No way, Jose!"


We had an M&M McFlurry at McD's as a post-dentist treat. Next week it's my turn, when I get my broken tooth drilled and crowned.

Halloween

The kids were cute for trick-or-treating. The big kids too.


Brock Star and Pirate Brazey.


Headgear lasted long enough for one picture.


We especially love the boots. And the ascot.


The boys were Jawas but refused to wear their masks for trick-or-treating. I can't blame them, really, as it was still in the low 80s when we left to trick-or-treat. The masks are white plastic covered in velour with no mouth holes and wires connecting to a battery pack holding 2 C-cell batteries. They consented to a picture, though. I sure had fun making the costumes.


They had a good night.