End of our Trip

Friday is our last full day in Texas. Although I have had a very relaxing time and even though I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with my niece Mallory, my parents are probably looking forward to our departure on Saturday afternoon. After all they are not used to a house with boys, or any of the following scenarios.

1. A thirty minute interval doesn't pass without some wrestling or physical activity. Oma constantly warns, "Be careful. Not so rough."
2. A pair of underwear makes a great slingshot but invariably lands in the toilet.
3. Opa's oversized rain guage makes for the perfect sword, but it also cracks upon contact with concrete.
4. An episode of Spiderman on Jetix provides thirty minutes of quiet, but it also encourages attempts to climb walls, jumps on counters, and slides through windows.
5. A fireplace brush will clean the ashes around the furnace, but it will also spread ashes all over the house when used as a hairbrush.

And all of this happened within hours of our arrival...

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!