Happy 2009!

Yes! It's a new year and no more "F" starting titles. That was soooo 2008.
Christmas was quiet in our household, but exciting nonetheless. The season went by pretty quickly. Since Jeff had to work on Christmas and New Year's Eve/Day, we had alternate celebrations based around food, of course. From a prime rib feast, a huge ham and the plentiful leftover dishes from it and over 300 cookies, we are done with the culinary overindulgence for now. Haha, you know us, we're all about the food so the break won't last very long. But seriously, Jeff and I are still suffering from being bloated last week.
On Christmas morning, Jeff left for work and I heard Ethan jump out of bed and run to Santa's snack plate of cookies and milk. He ran to my room and exclaimed, "Oh my goodness, Santa came to our house and brought us presents. I cannot believe it!" So cute. Santa fulfilled Ethan and Melanie's wishes this Christmas. Ethan got a Star Wars light saber that lights up and makes noise. Melanie got a Disney princess tricycle, which I forgot to a picture of because I dropped everything to clean up the glass ornament that hit the floor. Santa also filled our stockings with DVDs and a Nintendo game. Hmmm. They sure are similar to the Black Friday specials from Target. I think I know where Santa does his bargain shopping during these hard economic times.
Also, the Saturday before Christmas, I coaxed the Martinez clan and my friend Bee with her niece and nephew to join me and the kids to be part of our church's live nativity scene. They were apprehensive, to say the least, but I guaranteed a fabulous slow cooker dinner awaited them afterward. Everyone got really into it.

Santa was here.

Ethan talking to Nana and Papa in Germany on Christmas morning.

12/20/08: Melanie and I were angels for the live Nativity scene.

Ethan sat still in his shepherd's costume for over 20 minutes. He was proud to participate.

That was all of us. See Auntie Kiki, Uncle Jay and JJ? We were the prime time shift of the night! Special thanks to our own nativity crew. Nice costume, Auntie Bee!