Christmas 2010

Yes, we are still alive! Sorry it's taken this long to get out a Holiday post. Richard's had a lot on his mind lately, what with a Master's Thesis to write and all.

We had a fun yet quiet Christmas at home this year (so sad that Richard's parents couldn't make it because of illness, I hope this gives them at least a little glimpse of what they missed), and it worked out for the best that we didn't go anywhere since we decided to give the kids something big this year. We built them the kitchen set you see in the montage. I say we, but really it was thanks to the help and resources of my Dad and Richard's brother. They provided the know-how, and let us make messes of their shops. I can't thank them enough. I'd also like to thank my mother who contributed dishes and even my grandmother who sent little muffin pans which I had been looking for all along. Richard helped with some of the grunt-work, I simply came up with the design and did a little painting. Oh yes, and not to brag but the stove was completely my own idea. We're actually quite proud of our handiwork, and I'm pretty sure the kids love it (I think Ethan's hand-over-mouth reaction tells it all)!
We had a bigger Christmas than we anticipated, and hopefully the kids won't be too spoiled for the future. We had fun spending Christmas Eve and Christmas night with family here in Boise, with the chocolate nativity and the press cookies, but our camera was dying and we didn't get hardly any pictures.

Richard was home for the Holidays, and when we weren't playing with the Christmas toys, we had fun making a giant shuffleboard game on our kitchen floor.

We had a pretty uneventful New Year's Eve. All the family around here got a stomach bug, so we celebrated by going to dinner at a Chinese buffet, and spending the evening at Pojo's, a Chuck-e-Cheese sort of place, here in town. Once again, no pictures. Sorry. The kids loved the carousel best, and I think the night was special for them.

Well, hope you enjoy the Montage!