The Duck

As Crafty webfoot pointed out I never mentioned the DUCK. The duck has been officially passed. While we were on the cruise I made repeated attempts to contact the ship's Captain or a senior officer, but no go, so I had to come up with another plan. During the cruise we went to a very nice wine tasting and the Wine Pro was a very nice man who spent some time chatting with us at our table, so after the tasting I asked him if he would present it to Mom over the Fancy Dress dinner that night. That night we all got dressed to the nines, had our pictures taken by the ship's photographer and went in to dinner. After we ordered cocktails the wine guy comes over to the table with a glass of Champagne for Mom and says "On behalf of Holland America I want to thank you for cruising with us, so I have a small gift for you", and he hands Mom a Holland America bag. She opens the bag thinking she is going to be getting a little Holland America gift and inside is the DUCK. She was so suprised! So, now she has it and I have to watch my back.

Merry Christmas!

I almost forgot that it is indeed Thursday AND Christmas day. What a great time to say good morning and Merry Christmas to my extended family. That is what you all are. What a morning to be thankful. We got to sleep in until 7am when H decided enough was enough and he wasn't going to wait a second longer, and frankly I am suprised he waited until 7. G on the other hand had to be woken up to open presents. Santa made it through the blizzard like conditions to our house and made the babies very happy. Mom and Dad are pretty happy too. We seemed to have picked the right gifts for everyone and each other. Before we opened our gifts I took a picture of our tree with all the presents under it and thought, WOW! We sure do have a lot of people that love us. We took our time, enjoyed the coffee and the chatter. I was very suprised to find that my sister Beth and her family sent us a Santa's breakfast kit with Pancake/Waffle Mix, coffee, jam and syrup in it, and Paul and the kids gave me a new waffle maker because mine broke last Christmas morning. KISMET! So we enjoyed waffles for breakfast. The kids are in the midst of building a huge LEGO kit and than they are moving on the build Barbie's Cruise ship. So is it tacky to say what we all got for Christmas? If we were talking on the phone we would tell each other, so maybe not that tacky. I was pretty pleased I got some of the things on my list. I forgot I posted a list, until one of my presents said read the blog and you will understand the gift. I asked Santa for a new winter coat, as mine got slammed in the trunk of the car and the zipped was smushed. So, I got a new winter coat and a gift Certificate for my books at Amazon. YAHOO!!!!! Paul and the kids got me a new computer chair so when I am studying I will be comfortable. Both kids made out like bandits. They are so happy and have declared this the best Christmas EVER!!! H still believes and we are trying to keep it that way for at least one more year. I think the only reason he believes is that he knows we would never in his wildest dreams spend that much money on toys for them, and while we were on the cruise the elves came and filled the elf box everyday. If that's not magic I don't know what is. I have pictures to post, but I don't want to spend all of Christmas morning on the computer, so I will post later in the week or maybe tomorrow. I hope all of you have a wonderful day, Merry Christmas to all of you and your families.

Watch this Ya'll

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It's Thursday Again....well almost!

Hello Everyone! I am getting this done on weds. night again. After I drop the kiddies at school tomorrow I am off to do some Christmas shopping. I have Paul done and all the gifties shipped to the rest of the family members (I won't say what I got everyone, who knows if they are reading this), I also sent out goodies to each of you sweet ladies. Nothing terribly exciting, but I did think of you all on my trip. Here are a few pictures from the trip.

The first is from a 700 year old walled village. These ladies are "Professional Models". They will allow you to take their picture if you pay them. The other picture is from a 400 year old garden that some guy built as a 65th birthday present to his parents. I hope H and G remember this story for later in life. So, back to the Christmas thing...... I need to get stocking stuffers and some other little things for the kids from us and Santa. Everyone keeps asking me what I want and I am not exactly sure. What is it that all of you are hoping for this Christmas? I remember loving Christmas presents, but since I had kids it has all changed. It is more important for the babies to love their presents than about what I am getting. Is that when you become an adult? I do have to say that the older the kids get the more expensive the gifts become (Amy I feel your pain). H has an IPOD Video, an inflatable kayack, a motorcycle, Nintendo DS, cooking stuff, golf clubs, and a tent on his list. G is better, but still has American Girl doll stuff and a Nintendo DS on her list. What are the big ticket items in your houses this year? What are you all doing for stocking stuffers for your kids and hubbies this year? I always blow it and spend a gazillion dollars on the stocking stuffers, but this year I vow to be better. So here is my list of wants, stocking stuffers, and traditions.

WANTS
A gift certificate to get all the books on my Amazon list
A massage
A new winter coat
A DOONEY or COACH bag

STOCKING STUFFERS
Paul-lottery ticket, cigar, orange slices candy, a motorcycle magazine (give me any other ideas you all may have)
H and G-socks, pez, candy (any other ideas you may have)

TRADITIONS
In my family we would open a present on Christmas Eve, but Paul poo pooed that when we got married, so now we have snack tray on Christmas Eve. It is a tray with lots of cheeses, meats, veggies and cookies (all gourmet) so that you don't have to cook on Christmas Eve. I am also going to start somthing new this year. During the summer the kids and I were bored and I got some paper out and asked them each 50 questions about themselves. We had so much fun I decided to do it at Christmas time every year. So this year I am getting some Christmas paper, and a binder and I am going ot run off some questionaires to ask the kids. Fav. color, food, song, book, movie, friend, toy, event and so on. I am going to place it in a Christmas binder and do it every Christmas Eve. I know the answers will change every year and it will be fun to go over last years answers at the same time. We also have the Christmas pickle. Let me know what your traditions, maybe I will adopt some of them.

So that is my time for this evening. I will probably jump on all of your blog tomorrow and chat.