Merry Christmas!

From our house to yours...have a safe and happy holiday season. Its been a tough year, so here is to brighter days in 2010.

Now, we have been tracking Santa with the help of NORAD's website (www.noradsanta.org) for years, but I just learned the back story and its adorable...read this link from CNN today: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/12/24/cnet.norad.santa.tracker/index.html

Here are my favorites from Eskewold Christmas

The Eskelands are some of my very favorite people in the whole world and it did my heart good to see them after WAY too long of a time. Did my heart good to see some Griswolds, too. :) XOXO Love you all very much.

The tree is up

Based on the way the morning has been going since I took this picture, this might be the only Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward Men moment I get...but they are some awful cute, aren't they?

things Jack has said lately...

Thanksgiving: while decorating the paper table cover with Ave-(they were trying to use paints that Ave got for her birthday that they couldn't make work) Avery: "I guess I could read the directions" Jack: "Avery, directions are for cheaters"

Yesterday (Friday, Dec 4, 2009): Me: "Jack, would you like eggs for breakfast?" Jack: (with total disgust in his voice) "Mom, I only eat eggs on days that there is a parade, we don't have school and its sunny. Look outside...not so sunny, I have to go to school and there's no parade"

What the kids want for the holidays

A couple of you have asked, and last year it seemed to work well to post suggestions here, so here's a list...

Both kids are getting Nintendo DS game systems for Hanukkah (which hasn't happened yet, so dont' tell them) so games for that, or gift cards for Toys R Us so they can pick out their own would be good

Avery LOVES reading, so books from either the Magic Treehouse series or the Junie B Jones series would be good, or gift cards for Barnes and Noble. She also likes music, so ITunes gift cards work as well. She is a size 8 in shirts (usually a kids medium) and has recently gone through a growth spirt so is probably wearing a 8 in pants as well (much to our dismay since we just bought her a bunch of 7's). Fancy hair ties, earrings, etc. She also loves Webkins, much to my dismay, but you would be her favorite if you got her more.

Jack is a art project/drawing machine. Pens, markers, crayons, paints, colored pencils, paper, tape, glue...he still loves Star Wars too. He is also into books-Avery reads to him :) He is a 5T in pants-or sometimes a kids XS. Same for shirts.

Also, we have no board games for my place, so that could work. Hope this helps.

I had my 20 year high school reunion last weekend

I was really hesitant to go-wasn't sure who was going to be there, a little insecure, didn't know how my hair would look...you know, basic girl issues. But I am so glad I went. I saw people that I haven't seen in years that I really used to have a good time with. And now that I know that some of them might read my blog (Hi Sharif!) I will really try to keep up with it.

I have another reunion next month with another set of friends and now I am REALLY excited for it.

these pictures were taken on the day of Avery's "friend' birthday party. She is in her pjs because we had a pj party :)
(Not sure why that part is underlined)
She is 8 years old now and Jack is 5 1/2. I cannot believe how time flies.

To start the holiday season...

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/YKsD7jaMl40J9APHnSl2