Christmas 2008

Hey let's blog about Christmas! It was only a bit over a month ago, and in my world, recently, this is being right on top of things! Also, I just downloaded the camera onto the new laptop. How long will I own this before I stop calling it the "new" laptop? Probably until I finish loading all of my programs on it. Anyway....I would love to describe this past holiday season in glowing terms that bring to mind fond memories. I would love to, you don't know how much I would love to. The season started nicely on Thanksgiving weekend when we traditionally put up the lights and the tree. Christine and Dani came over while Shannon and family were still here too and the girls posed for pictures out front. See the Gillespie Girls blog for photos of our trip to the ice rink later that day.

Over the weekend we enjoyed the annual assembling and decorating of the tree.


Christmas Eve we spent at Catron's eating and relaxing and watching movies. Once all the kids were there we moved into the living room for some Christmas Eve gift opening.

Tucker's anticipation of his stocking was quite entertaining. He jumped around excitedly at the sight of it and went straight to work opening it, the best he was able in his dog method and lacking operable thumbs.




Christmas morning was upon us and with a cheery fire going on the wet morning we were happy to tear into our own presents. Here is Mike and his new pancake griddle. After receiving a kitchen appliance and accessories this year we are committed to something a bit more manly, maybe a skill saw or something, for 2009.

An excellent mess, just right for Christmas morning.

Zoey checking to make sure Kiera's stocking was empty. Note her festive holiday bows courtesy of the groomer.

Mike surveying the results of our morning and taking one of many holiday calls.

Happy faces using Mike's new present to make an excellent holiday breakfast.

Later that day we braved the rainstorm to spend time with Fran, Tim, Nick and Stevi. After our turkey dinner we grabbed our chocolate pie and wrapped up our holiday festivities with dessert at Danita and Dave's.

Bird Flu?

This past Thursday Kiera noticed that Cory did not seem well, his breathing was labored, his tail moved up and down as he breathed, and he was "puffed". By Friday night his condition seemed worse. Saturday morning we decided medical attention was in order.
A careful exam at the vet's revealed that Cory had lung congestion and was given an injection of antibiotic and some medicine for the week. Oddly enough his antibiotic looks just like something you would give a small child. Pink and fruity.
We are happy to report that Cory's is recovering nicely from his bout of Bird Flu (get it?? Bird FLU??) and that this was not as we feared the beginning of the end for the onery old bird.
As a result of his illness Cory traveled with us to Orange County and San Diego since were gone overnight and we did not want to delay getting the medication into his system. I knew you would all share our relief.
Especially after our previous vet visit to determine that Cory was pulling out feathers, creating some rather nasty bald spots as you can see in the photo, due to stress.
Elvis, Cory and Nacho spend some quality time together.

Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving 2008 was spent with our family, Dave and Tracy, and the extended Catron/Smith group. As we have spent many Thanksgivings in recent years. Joing us this year were also Shannon, Brandon, Jenna and Allyson.
This year the thing we were most thankful for was that Dave was here for this important holiday that kicks off the season leading up to New Year. Last Feburary we all experienced the trauma of his real heart attack, this time. Here is a picture of Dave and Tracy as we all celebrated his 50th birthday last July.

Kiera showing off not only her pink streaks but stylish french braids.

Natalie, Kiera and Jenna get ready to dig in with Shannon's assistance.

Outside on the patio with Grandma Bev in full princess regalia.

Mike carving turkey while wishing Ryan and Jess a Happy Thanksgiving by phone.

And what would a visit to Catron's be without a dip in the jacuzzi at least? The pool was, well even on a nice day,,freezing cold.

Catch Up Blogging

I can never be considered a compulsive shopper I guess. After months of agonizing, learning about the newer features, consulting all my computer geeks, learning some more, shopping prices and hoping for first of the year sales I sucked it up and bought the new laptop. Then I suffered my 24 hours of spending remorse. Not shoppers remorse, I am totally happy with my new Dell. But letting go of the money is hard for me. There are always those other things that maybe I should have purchased instead.

My old friend on the left, so many hours spent together. The new recruit on the right, lets see how this goes.



However, last night as I struggled to work on iTunes on the old grandpa laptop and it coughed up a hair ball downloading a three minute song and over heated and shut itself down I knew it had been way past time.

In the spirit of the new year, and new computer, and following in the footsteps of some of my other family and friend bloggers I am backtracking into 2008. The posts will most likely not appear in the order I would like, but they will be there.

The other day I was on Kel's blog, Double Dolphin. I also enjoy following the travels of Sara & Leo and their MountainWave Tribe. From their blog I browsed additional friends that blog and found myself on My Best Life, a blog by their friend Scarlet. Scarlet wrote a very personal farewell to 2008 and ended with a poem that I found very moving. I hope she doesn't mind that I have stolen a copy to post here. Her words spoke to me in a very personal way in looking back on the year ended and I love the poem's message;



in my garden i planted
seeds of sadness, loneliness
and heartache.
i polluted the soil
with apathy and self-doubt.
how miraculous is the sunshine?
for out of the darkness
grew a beautiful flower.
and how cleansing is the rain?
for out of the wasteland
emerged a peaceful heart.
a strong soul
seeking,
breathing,
believing.


farewell, 2008.

Testing testing..one, two, three

What better way to try out blog posting on the new laptop than stealing cute pictures from my kid's blogs? And it was faster and more available than trying to load some onto the new computer myself, since I am still downloading drivers and such. But so far the claim is true, we are blazing fast
Jenna on the family snow trip.

Allyson in Disneyland

Jason and Naia make snow angels.

Gabriel working out during some tummy time.
Wow, it makes me a little, I don't know.....happy I guess, to be able to do this so efficiently.