Christmas is always special.  This year it was extra special for my wife and I.  Since we are in the process of adopting 2 boys, this was our first Christmas with our kids.  It’s been 4 awesome months since we had them placed in our home.  We had so much fun buying them gifts and spending time with the family.  We also threw a birthday party for Jesus and had cake, etc.  It was truly a wonderful day.  We were also blessed with having a white Christmas.  A very cold but white Christmas.  I think we ended up with at least 7 inches of snow and the snow drifts from the 50mph wind conditions made it even deeper in places.

Last year we flew up to Seattle to my family for Christmas and was stuck in about 18″ of snow.  It started falling a couple hours before we landed and didn’t really stop for a day or two.  So we are blessed to have two white Christmas’ in a row.  In fact if we would have been in Texas this Christmas we would have had a white one as well. (very unusual)

I love the Christmas lights too.  This year we took the boys to a city park with all these lights and it took FOREVER, but we enjoyed them and had fun even though it was a late, late night for all of us.

Christmas – the Birth of Jesus:
Luke 2:8-16 (ESV)

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And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.10 And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

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Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!

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When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.

Home for the holidays and now the food is all around.  Although I love this time of year, and the food that comes along with it, I do not like trying to watch the weight..  I mean come on food is awesome during the holidays.  But for some maybe dropping some Leptovox and doing some work outs.  But if your like me, you probably do not want to work out while your on vacation.

Now there is a 24 hour fitness down the street, but since it just started snowing again, don’t think the car will make it and the wind chill is freezing…

Later:
My story of our trip yesterday and all the snow that fell last night.

Well 18 days now till I get to go home for the holidays.  I’m looking forward to seeing my family.  The last time I saw my parents was back in April when my mother had her surgery (which she is doing awesome by the way).  And the last time my wife was back in Seattle was almost 1.5 years ago.  We both are looking forward to seeing friends and family members that we haven’t seen in a really long time.

Time will start to go by fast and I guess we better get out the Samsonite luggage and start the packing process.  This time of year it’s hard to pack as Seattle is cold, damp, more cold, etc.  Not what we are used to in Arlington.

Another bonus this year is my dad is close to or near to the finish of his ‘34 Ford Truck.  I’m hoping it will be done by the time I get there so I can drive it.  He has had it my whole life and just now has had the time and money to get it back in running order.

I hope all of those who recognize thanksgiving had a wonderful weekend.

My wife and I drove a short 2.5 hours up to her parents house last Wednesday for a nice 4 day get a way so to speak.  We had a really good weekend.  Not to mention that OU beat Oklahoma State.  That was a really good game.  Most of the family was in for Thanksgiving day which was nice since most of them travel from Missouri and most of the time the cousins do not make the trip (work schedules, etc) but it was great to see them all.

I hope everyone else had a good weekend.

Here are a few pictures from where I was at:

With Thanksgiving rapidly approaching that can only mean one thing..  FOOD..!!  Yes with a double dose of Holiday foods can attack you from all sides.  So you have to watch out.  Then the day after Thanksgiving you have to start working out, drop a diet pill, and slow down the eating for a few weeks to catch up before the onslaught of Christmas FOOD..!!!

I’m really looking forward to having some turkey.  And it’s only 2 weeks away.  The desserts however I’m thankful I cannot eat, cause those really add to your stomach and then you end up in a food coma, LOL..

But I love this time of year and looking forward to seeing some family I haven’t seen in a long time next week, and be able to somewhat have 4 days off..  (I’m always on call)

Are you all ready for the thanksgiving weekend coming up?

Christmas is fast approaching so it’s time to think about what to do for the family gift wise.  Quite a few options for this.  We can just get them something random or funny, or we can get them personalized gifts which might be pretty cool since it would be all about them.  Or in the past we have done just stocking stuffers to keep the costs down.

I know my wife and i usually just buy something together.  We have done this the last couple of years and seems to work out pretty well.  I think this year she wants to do something with the house.  I think it’s the perfect time to get a Wii.

Probably will not do anything with the extended family this year since we are flying up to Seattle to see my family and I think that’s the best gift ever.  Actually we haven’t been back to Seattle for Thanksgiving or Christmas the last two years.  I think the last time was 2005.  It has been way to expensive.  Like this year it was $1200 for 2 of us to fly over Christmas.  Ouch is right..!!!  Although my nice Aunt and Uncle gave us tickets for Christmas so that was our gift and we very much appreciate it.

I guess I got passed up on the memo chain.  I really wish someone had told me sooner.  I didn’t realize that we are now skipping the Thanksgiving holiday!

I have already heard Christmas music.  Our neighborhood development decided to put up bows and wreath’s on the entrances.  TV commercials are out of control with Christmas ad’s.  I guess the memo didn’t get delivered in time.  Not to mention that some big chain stores had small Christmas sections up before Halloween.

Honestly I’m actually not ready for all the Christmas stuff floating around.  I like to see everything happen the day after Thanksgiving.  I’m just not ready to give up on Thanksgiving…!!!

The holidays seem to be approaching pretty fast these days and it’s time to figure out what to do.  The last two years of holidays, Leslie and I have not been able to make it back to Seattle to spend it with my family.  So as the planning process is taking place, I think this year we are actually going to make it.

I hope we can fly non-stop, even if it costs more.  The non-stop version cuts a few hours of the total travel time.  Not to mention that when we fly back to Texas we lose 2 hours just in the time change alone.

Speaking of trips.  One of these days I would love to go see the East Coast.  Never been.  Maybe check out the Outer Banks close to the ocean and just hang out and relax..  Although the opposite way (west), Hawaii sounds awesome just like our honeymoon..!!!

I know it’s early but any of you out there making holiday travel plans? or just staying around home?