Christmas with the SkidKid Clan

My family came from Idaho this weekend so we could celebrate Christmas. We got together at July's on Saturday afternoon to start the festivities. We went to Gateway shopping and to eat dinner. Then we came back to July's where we played games until late that night. The next morning we got up early and made a big breakfast and then opened presents. Cayman was pretty funny. She would take someone their gift and then start opening it before anyone else could. She loved opening all the presents. I think everyone was happy with their presents. I know I was happy with mine......three books! What could be a better gift. We also got an extra surprise from July and Cory, an announcement that she is having another baby!! I will get to be an aunt once again. Christmas was fun and I enjoyed being with my family!

Something Missing.......

I've had this picture on my computer since Thanksgiving and as I was looking at it today, I couldn't help but feel that something was missing.......my mom. I like to think she is standing right between me and Mel poking her head over Grandma's and making a funny face, like she always liked to do. It's been nine years since she died, and there isn't a day that goes by that I'm not reminded of her. I see her in me every day. It's funny when you're growing up how you don't want to turn into your parents, but I have to say, if I could grow up to be like my mom, I would! I love you Mom!

Annual Christmas Party

Paul and I went to our Annual Christmas Party on Friday Night with Paul's friends from his old job. We are so lucky Paul was able to find such a great group of friends from when he worked at Spillman Technologies. We get together at least twice a year (summer and winter) and go to lunch frequently. Friday night we went to Carrie and Cornell's. They just built a new condo in Saratoga Springs and we all wanted to see it. We had a lot of preparing to do because this year they were doing an Ugly Sweater Contest. Since Paul and I didn't have sweater, we decided to make our own. I think they turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself. Check out that handy work.....it's exquisite! I won't explain Paul's sweater (it's slightly inappropriate), but it was a big hit at the party and he ended up winning! Then we exchanged white elephant gifts, where I got a Whoopie Cushion and Paul got a High School Musical pillow with Troy on it. Our friends, Lindsay and Shayne, brought their two little boys to the party and the last present was from us and ended up going to their 8 year old son. I was so nervous, because it was a notebook set (from Spillman, of course!) and I didn't think an 8 year old would want that, but he loved it! He loves to draw and it is a pretty cool drawing notebook. Dan got a huge 40 inch stocking complete with an Ovulation Kit and a wedding cake topper. Both things that he needed. :-) Lindsay got an enormous cucumber or zuccini, which somehow we ended up with at the end of the night! Carrie got a toothpaste holder and the big hit of the night was a set of wine glasses that were called The Shady Ladies, and they went to Cornell. Overall, the night was fun and I look forward to Christmas and seeing my family.