My Favorite Holiday: Thankhallomasear

Well it is time to catch up. Lets see what kind of job I can do. I think the pictures will help jog my memory, as well as communicate much more than I ever could through words. Our family had a

nice Thanksgiving with my parents, the only baking or cooking required of me was an apple pie. I usually LOVE baking home made apple pies, they are my favorite, but this year I resorted to allowing good ol' "Marie" offer up her best efforts. I still think mine are better, but this was more convenient this year. Dad's parents, Nanna and Grandpa came to enjoy the feast with us, it is TRADITION to celebrate my little sister's birthday with them in tandem with Thanksgiving! Just ask Kaycie. And aside from a head knotting car accident in the back yard it was a holiday without much incident. Alaina and Great Grandpa Dahl were putting on a circus act. Alaina precariously perched atop the clown car, with Grandpa gunning it behind her! She lost her balance and whacked the floor. Ah, the fun! She was fine, and bounced right back! After a few moments of icing, she insisted on returning to the show, only this time volunteering the lead role of car top passenger to Matthew!

Halloween was a much anticipated and enthusiastically embraced celebration by Alaina! She couldn't wait to don the make-up and the princess tiara! And I believe she was the most beautiful princess to be found amid the trick-or-treaters found hunting for candy in the church parking lot!

Matthew on the other hand, could have cared less. But isn't that boys for you? He finally agreed to wear some 'sporty' pj's and go as an athlete. Albeit a sleepy athlete. He spent a good half of the ghoulish game on the sidelines of the candy court, asleep in the car. But when he finally deemed himself ready to join the game, he showed true trick or treating prowess, and while lugging his over-stuffed pumpkin full of candy around, managed to still find ways to torment his sister along the way!
And here is to Christmas. I must sadly admit that the cheer around here was a bit drear. Alaina had to do a tremendous amount of cajoling to get her dad to even put any Christmas lights. Finally he acquiesced, and correctly assumed the role of apologetic father. He let Alaina climb upon the ladder, perch precariously atop it as she quite confidently (much to my chagrin) strung strands of starry lights through hooks hung there last year. She was proud of her work and to this day they are still hanging on the house. (I know we sound lazy and louse, but we really have been overwhelmingly occupied with so many things of late.) I must thank my sweet daughter though for reminding me what the season really is all about! It didn't take long after the boxes came out of their hiding place in the attic, dusty and dried out from the summer heat, to reignite the warmth of the season in this miserly mamma! I even pulled out the dreaded, clinging, obnoxious angel hair snow. And by the end of the night, I loved how it looked so much that I was contemplating going out to get more! I practiced restraint however! And Matthew must have observed that restraint, as he only managed to break one ornament. I knew better than to put those pretty glass balls, bright red and green, on the branches. But Alaina was adamant and Matthew was determined. Determined to see how far he could throw one, and how many pieces one could shatter into. It was rather impressive, from ominous wind up to fateful demise upon the tile. Red glass shattered to the four corners of the house, lighting up the air with glittering magic. Christmas Pixie dust laced household fixtures, a testament to the wonder of the season. And as I bent over to vacuum the shards of Christmas ornament I couldn't help but hide a silent smile at the sheer joy my little boy expressed over the magic of his mighty arm and a little red christmas ball!

And the New Year has come and gone. . .without much incident. Except we did find out that our baby on the way, whom we were already calling Leilani, is in reality a boy. Alaina was devastated, who wants another brother? She is still pretty adamant that after the little boy comes out of mommy's tummy, a little sister will follow. Perhaps she is right, although probably not on the same time-table she has in mind. I admit I was looking forward to purples, and pinks, little ribbons in the hair and such. But for many reasons, after my initial let down, I am glad it will be another boy.