As of 6pm, our Christmas shopping is complete. You're welcome American economy.  #PatrioticDuty

The Wishing Tree

Yesterday we donated forty dollars in gift certificates to the Wishing Tree at church, and all I keep thinking is  "I hope they got to the kids and no one stole them after Mass." Paranoia,  my old friend,  I won't miss you if you leave me.

Stuart's Paintings

This poster sized collection of artwork, painted by a co-worker, hangs in the halls at work every year.

Christmas Music

From Thanksgiving on I only listen to Christmas music on the radio, but I've grown dissatisfied with 95.7 and their repetitious secular classics. So I've switched to 93.3. Many of the same tunes, of course, but a fair number of classic carols too.

Christmas 2002

 We're watching a video of Christmas 2002, when 3rd shift of Job Prior gathered at my mother in law's house.

This is Dale C:

The Christmas Paintings

We opened our presents at midnight on Christmas, because we were just arriving home from visiting my sister. I'll spare you pictures of the gifts, except for these: paintings Lisa had made for each of the kids. She snuck out to Splash Studio four times between Halloween and Christmas (once with Trudy), wanting to create something special for each of their rooms.

Christmas at Alex Q's

After Mass #TeamSlap journeyed over to our friend's house for a get together with their family. They hosted a White Elephant gift exchange, a Bingo game for the kids, Surge, yummy turkey, and some potatoes horrifically covered in cheese. ;)

It's A Wonderful Life

 #TeamSlap just watched my favorite movie of all time at the Avalon. I made Lu wipe the tears that were streaming down my face! lol

A Great Gift!

#TeamSlap is celebrating an early Christmas with Jennifer J. Look what she and Sydney bought me! #Creed

Here's JJ's gift to YaYa

And for Smiley,  Jenga Quake

UPDATE:  Dropped the kids off, went to the grocery store, then dropped Lisa off too so I could cruise around and listen to my new #Creed CD.

 I miss my Dad this Christmas even more then last. I think it's finally set in that there will be no other Christmases' with him, and that just sucks. Enjoy your parents while you can. Love you, Mom! Xo - Lisa

 I'm at Candy Cane Lane with Lisa and Junie 

Elf

You either love Will Ferrell or you hate him. If you hate him, you're an awful human being.

A Fine End to Christmas Break

Yesterday, to cap off Christmas break, I took Team Slap out for dinner at the Copper Kitchen. Well, most of Team Slap; despite spending ten days at grandma's YaYa couldn't be troubled to dine with us. And when we got there everyone just watched The Simpson's and Family Guy on the TV. But wth, it was still family time and we didn't have to cook. :)

A Walmart Run

I took Smiley to Wal-Mart yesterday to spend the gift cards he got for Christmas. We spent about twenty seconds in the toy aisle before moving on to the art and crafts area.

I was pleased to see him pick out a grow your own trilobite kit we considered buying for Christmas, but in the end my boy spent his $20 on Pokemon cards.

Twilight Sparkle Fashion

After the great Packers victory we went to Kmart and completed the one and only exchange/return of our Christmas season: Junie's Twilight Sparkle sweatshirt was too small and was exchanged for a Rainbow Dash version in 10-12.

Dr. Who Ornaments

These are three Doctor Who ornaments we gave YaYa  for Christmas.

An Unusual Holiday Shopping Adventure

Christmas Shopping, believe it or not, at Brew City Shooters Supply [for Pepper Spray]  then going to Aldi

Our Tree

This year: no real tree, and a return to the grand, smaller tree originally gifted to Lisa's mom by her own mother in 1982.

Wouldn't You Know It

For years Lisa has had to hunt and scrape to put together the light blue tree she desired. No more. Finally, as with most things, our culture has caught up to her taste.

Just to be Clear

I've said it many times, but since they don't seem to believe me, let me be clear: having thrown all my funds into Disney, this Christmas will be lean. There will be no dollar store gifts, IOU's, or "hug coupons", but it may very well be recession era-crappy job lean.And I think our annual Boxing Day trip is nixed..You went to Disney World, you went on a cruise, you spent time on foreign soil. You're lucky kids. Don't expect me   to feel bad for ya. :) So consider yourself officially, publicly forewarned.