You Know You Are in Texas If...

10. You step off the plane on December 26 to a temperature of 78 degrees.
9. Those awaiting arriving planes at the baggage claim are wearing boots and a cowboy hat.
8. The majority of the automobiles along I-635 are extended cab trucks. Chevy is the most popular but a Ford works for others just as well.
7. Pecan pie, peach cobbler, fruit cake, and apple pie are all served for dessert one evening.
6. The signs advertising loan rates at the local bank are written in Spanish and the subscript letters underneath have an English translation.
5. The strangers you pass on the farm to market roads wave as you drive past.
4. You fall asleep to the howl of the coyotes on a big chase in the pasture.
3. You have the pleasure of eating authentic Mexican food in a restaurant on the bad side of town.
2. The "N word" is used by extended family.
1. You think everyone else talks with an accent.

Flying

On Friday the boys and I flew to Texas to spend the week with my family. We made the drive to Reagan without incident. We found parking near the gate. Everything seemed to be going smoothly until it came time to get in line with "bag check." I was horrified to be told that I owed $75 to fly with bags. I tried to explain that none were over weight and that there were three people in our party. Thus, we were not exceeding the maximum number of bags, but the lady told me repeatedly that it did not matter. I was to pay the $75 for my four bags if I wanted to get home for Christmas. After a thousand dollars on the actual tickets and a couple of hundred dollars to park the car in the parking lot, I should not think twice about paying for bags. However, I am appalled with the way corporate America attempts to nickel and dime the common person with these outrageous fees.

The boys and I pre-boarded. We were all settled with drinks that we bought at the gate, sandwiches that I made at home, and books to keep us occupied. That is when I was pleasantly approached by a flight attendant asking if we were a military family. When I responded in the affirmative, she quickly doled out free chips and cookies for all of us. Her response, "We just love you guys and want to show you how much we appreciate you."

I took the chips, smiled a gracious smile, and thanked her several times over for her thoughtfulness. However, next time I think we will fly Southwest. They don't give away chips to military families, but they do show their appreciation by allowing all bags to fly for free.

Santa Was Here

This morning the boys awoke to gifts under the tree from Santa. The Imaginex Batman Cave and the Star Wars helmet/guns were a big hit. 

Christmas Present

What was my favorite present this holiday season? 

No, it isn't the FLIP camera - even though it is just what I asked for.
No, it isn't the new clothes that I got from my in-laws - even though they are the perfect size.
No, it isn't the necklace that my sister-in-law sent - even though it is beautiful.
It is the plastic, too large for my finger, flashing disco light ring that Evan bought for me.

As a school fundraiser, Evan's elementary school hosted a Secret Santa gift shop. Evan gathered his quarters that he had earned this summer as well as a couple of dollar bills given to him on his birthday and went to school ready to buy a Christmas gift for Wes, Keagan, and me. He said he walked the aisles searching for the perfect gifts. For Keagan he selected a blue stuffy frog that he can carry to bed with him. For Wes he chose a notepad to carry in his suit pocket to write down important numbers. And for me, it was the ring. And as ugly as it is, it is the most precious gift anyone could have given me because it was chosen by Evan and purchased by Evan.

You can be assured that I will wear it proudly and be happy to share the story behind my plastic, too large for my finger, flashing disco light ring that is my most precious Christmas present.

Masanutten

On Sunday afternoon I almost canceled our reservations for a hotel room at Masanutten. Both boys were running fevers, the UPS man had not delivered our ski clothes, and the anxiety often associated with my spending money was making my blood pressure rise. We waited until Monday at noon and when the UPS man drove past our house (thus, no hope for any ski clothes) and when it was too late to cancel our reservations, we decided to make the trip anyway. Boy, am I glad that we did! 

We went snow tubing as soon as we arrived. The sun was setting just behind the mountain for a beautiful backdrop and snow tubing was a blast! 

On day two we went for a morning hike in the woods, 

and we spent the afternoon at the water park. 

Today, before we headed back home, we went go-cart riding and played a couple of games of air hockey.

  It was a great family get-a-way and sure to be an experience that the kids will not soon forget.

Pre-School Christmas Program

This evening the boys performed in the annual Minnieland Christmas program.

We love to watch the boys perform the songs they have been practicing for months, but best of all, the annual Christmas program marks the end of school and the beginning of winter vacation. The boys and I have done "the no school dance" and we are officially on vacation. Yippee!

The Christmas Story

After three months of Sunday morning practices and countless rides in the car singing Christmas songs, "The Christmas Story" was performed this morning at church. Evan played the role of the innkeeper and Keagan played the part of a king.

Both boys recited their lines perfectly and at the right time. We were so proud of them! We are relying upon friends to burn us a copy of the recorded performance so that we can share it with family back home.

Picture with Santa

After swim lessons this morning, I took the boys to a party supply store to see Santa. It is perhaps not the first place you would consider taking your child to see the bearded guy, but it was the only place that allowed us to take pictures with our own camera for free! In addition, the boys were given big sacks filled with goodies like stuffed animals, pencils, markers, toys, and candy. After waiting in line for forty minutes, Keagan refused to look at Santa, much less take a picture. When I reminded him that he needed to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas, he replied, "I have enough presents, Mom. I don't need anything else." 

Gingerbread Party

This afternoon the boys and I attended a gingerbread party at our neighbors' house. The Vails put the houses together last night, and today the boys were given the job of decorating with gum drops, candy canes, Smarties, and anything else you can imagine. Most of the boys gave it a good ten minutes before the toys in the play room beckoned them to return to play. 

Evan couldn't believe he was actually invited into Mark's house; when they play, both families have a rule that the four boys must play outside. At snack time, we said our good-byes and headed across town to another party. This time it was a birthday party. And now with the excitement of such a busy day behind them, both boys are fast asleep, and I am headed to the kitchen to make holiday candy.

Gingerbread Train

We bought a gingerbread kit two weeks ago and put it together this afternoon. Unfortunately, we couldn't get it to stay upright. Evan was so disappointed.

This, I have decided, will be a Daddy job next year. Evan tried so hard to make it perfect with the candy decorations. I bet you can guess what Keagan did. He ate the candy and watched Evan do most of the work.

St. Nickolas Was Here

Six years ago, while living in Germany, we were introduced to St. Nickolas Day. We brought the tradition with us when we crossed over the Atlantic and the boys now anxiously await his arrival. St. Nick brings candy and a reminder that you must behave if you wish for him to return on the 24th. This reminder often includes switches or pieces of coal, and all of the goodies, both good and bad, are stuffed into a boot. For the Toole family, an Army issued black boot does the trick.

This morning Evan and Keagan found bubblegum, candy, and a Transformer toy in the boots. Evan, the more sensitive and conscientious of the two, was almost upset to find the coal in his boot. Keagan skipped over it and didn't give it a second thought except to say it looked a lot like a big piece of chocolate.

The Girlfriend

Last night we attended a birthday party at Chuck E Cheese for one of Evan's friends. On his way to work, Wes asked, "So whose birthday is it tonight?" Evan answered, "My girl friend, duh!" This was interesting because although he has mentioned that Kara is his girlfriend, he usually just refers to her as Kara.

Although Kara's mother and I have spoken on the phone and sent emails, we have never met. Upon arriving to Chuck E Cheese, I tried to introduce myself, but before I could get any words out, she said, "Oh! Is this who I think it is? Is this the Evan I hear so much about?" To her teenage daughter she said, "Well, I am glad that she has good taste, and look! He is really tall."

To have an adult size up by six year old baby was a little unnerving. Never mind that I did the same to Kara when I met her back in September in the kindergarten classroom. However, what happened next says it all. A group of five little girls spotted Evan standing at the drink counter, and began to run toward us squealing his name. However, Evan looked right over the group of girls, and spotted his friend Benjamin. With his arms outstretched ready for a big bear hug, he ran right for Benjamin.

We Aren't Moving

Today's morning announcement by Obama and his selections for cabinet members has made it official. We will be living in Northern Virginia for at least one more year. The key to this phrase is "at least." Who knew in March 2005 that we would still be here four and five years later?