Christmas 2009

Christmas is my favorite time of year. There's nothing better than spending a few days with your family without life's little distractions. This year, in the spirit of Christmas, David and I decided to do something a little different. Instead of buying gifts for each other, we decided to treat ourselves to a Christmas Eve date. We did buy one small gift for each other (we ended up getting a book for each other; imagine that!). And of course Chase got some gifts because, well, we like to spoil him.





Later that afternoon, David and I went to see the new movie Avatar in 3D. It was amazing! Then we had a nice dinner at Sullivan's Steakhouse...where we sat four tables from Peyton Manning and his wife! Not sure which was better: the steaks or seeing Peyton. It's a toss-up.

We got up early on Christmas morning to drive to Kentucky. We got in around lunch time, and we were both more than ready for a Christmas feast. Unfortunately, the power had gone out in the neighborhood and stayed out for about 2 hours, which meant all we had to eat was a whole lot of uncooked food. So we sat around and talked with my parents, grandmother, and aunt and uncle until the power came back on. Eventually we got to chow down, and it was well worth the wait.

That night the Kings came over so Jackson and Cooper could open their presents from me and David and my parents. Talk about present overload! Of course David and I spent the rest of the night playing new games with the boys. Trying to teach a 3-year-old how to play Guess Who is not easy, believe me. But we had a good time.

On Saturday, Jamie and Braden arrived! We had everyone over for lunch and a tour of my Dad's Santa collection (Jamie and Braden, Jennifer and Justin, Jackson and Cooper, me and David, Mom and Dad, Connie, Kirk and Laura, and Debbie and Tom). Talk about a house full!! Maybe it was a little chaotic, but I enjoyed it. And it was nice to have my family meet the Kassenbrocks.





By the end of the day, we were exhausted. We played some cards and then called it a night around 10:00. Yeah, we're old.

It was a very merry Christmas indeed.

Christmas Art for the Office by David

Not exactly blog-worthy, but I had to share anyway. He does things like this all the time that make me smile. Sometimes (no, probably most of the time) it's the little things in life that make it worth living.

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!!

Christmas in Florida

David and I just returned from Florida yesterday, where we celebrated Christmas (and my birthday, ahem) at Gigi and Boppa's with Connie, Dave, Kirk, and Laura. The weather could have been better (only got in the '50s the whole weekend), but we had a good time nonetheless. It was a pretty peaceful weekend. We watched some Butler basketball and the Packers game, played some cards, read a lot, drank a lot, and ate a lot. Most importantly, we spent a lot of quality time with each other, which is all I could ask for Christmas anyway.

Thanks, G&B, for putting up with all of us for a few days. We had a great time!

It's My Party and I'll Eat What I Want To

Thank you for all the e-mails, cards, phone calls, and Facebook messages! It's been a great birthday so far...even if I did spend it at work. I can't believe I'm 28! Sounds older than what I feel. I'm so blessed, and I love you all.

Connie, this picture is for you. For my birthday, the department celebrated with peppermint stick tort (per my request). It was almost as good as yours. ;)

My Lucky Day

Hi, my name is Dana. But you can call me Lady Luck. My Saturday started off like any other weekend. I slept in, celebrated Chase’s birthday, and made out my to-do list for the weekend. At noon David and I went to the Butler vs. Ohio State basketball game. And thus began the first of my lucky day. I don’t attend very many Butler games, and it seems like the ones I do attend is the one they lose. Not this time. This time Lady Luck smiled down and me, and we pulled out a win against OSU.

After the game I had to buy one last Christmas gift. I was dreading going out into public to fight the crowds. But I knew exactly what I was looking for and where to get it. So off I go to Old Navy, fight my way straight back to the toddlers section, and I find it: the very last Spiderman hoodie in the exact size I need. Whew. Then my luck is with me again when I find a gift for Kirk’s fiancé, AND it’s on sale, AND it’s the only small size left. Whew again. Crisis averted.

That night David and I headed off to his company holiday party. This year it was “Casino Night” at one of the partner’s houses. Here’s how it works: Everyone starts with $2500 worth of chips. You make your bets at Blackjack, Texas Hold’em, or Craps. At the end of the night, you cash out your chips for raffle tickets. Then you put as many tickets as you want in any of three stockings to win one of three prizes: 1) a gigantic plasma TV; 2) a smaller 50” flat-screen TV; or 3) a combo laptop and wireless printer.

Well, after two glasses of wine and some really great food, I was ready to try my hand at some Texas Hold’em. The cards weren’t in my favor, but I held my own against the men who thought they could bluff me and the women who had no clue how to play. At the end of the night, I was the only one who survived the poker table without losing all my chips. I actually doubled what I started with! Well, I was really excited about that printer; I had actually already picked that exact model out online for us to buy with our Christmas money from David’s grandparents. So I put all my tickets in that stocking. David, of course, put one each in the TV stockings, and the rest in the laptop/printer stocking (cuz he knew how much I wanted it). And lo and behold, my ticket was drawn! Now, I am not a lucky person, and very rarely do I ever win any kind of random drawing. So I was THRILLED to win!

I don’t know what it was about that day. Maybe it was Chase’s birthday wishes rubbing off on me. Maybe it was an early birthday present. Whatever it was, it was great. And Lady Luck, I thank you.

Here I am showing off my big win!

David didn't win anything, but he was awarded a poker set. They said he needed to practice. ha!

Group shot!

Okay, one more with Chase.

I'm Free...Er...Three!

Happy Birthday to me
Happy Birthday to me
Happy Birthday to the puuuuppyyyy
Happy Birthday to me!

I turned 3 today! How time flies; seems like only yesterday Mom and Dad were bringing me home from Louisville. I was such a wee pup then.



Boy, how things have changed. I’m now bigger than my toys. And I’m not scared of other dogs. And I get to sleep in my own bed in Mom and Dad’s room at night AND have free reign of the house during the day. They tell me, “Chase, if you act like a big 3-year-old, we’ll treat you like a big 3-year-old.” So far so good. Cheers for being another year older…and another year cuter!

Here I am getting my present! I looooove presents.

That's a big bag. Gotta get waaaay in there.

Tissue paper? That's all I get?

Oh, there's more? Woo hoo! A reindeer! Just what I wanted.

Family portrait.

Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

Dear Neon:

The year was 1996. Clinton was in the White House; the Summer Olympics came to Atlanta; and Betty Rubble made her debut as a Flintstone vitamin. It was also the year that I laid eyes on you—a pretty red Dodge Neon. Granted, I was only 14 at the time, but you had everything I ever wanted in a car—cuteness. It was, in the eyes of a teenage girl, love at first sight.

When I turned 16 and officially earned my driver’s license, you and I became inseparable. We’ve been through thick (snow) and thin (fog). Our road was a long one; thirteen years of ups and downs, smooth sailing and rocky paths. From Florida to Wisconsin, and many stops in between, you and I have weathered many storms and shared many more sunny days. You are an excellent car, a loyal car. But now, after 13 years, it’s time for us to go our separate ways.

You see, I was just a teenager when we met. So young, so naïve. I’ve grown up a lot since we began our relationship, and I’m just not the same person I was back then. I realize now that there are other autos in the lot, and I need to explore my options to find the one that makes me truly happy. I never meant for this to happen, and I hope we can remain friends, but I have to tell you, there’s someone else.

Her name is Fusion. She’s a classy piece of work; all shiny and curvy, and she smells so good. I am utterly infatuated. She’s a lot younger than you, Neon, but very mature for her age. And she’s just what I need at this time in my life. When I’m with her, I just feel happy. No more worrying about driving late at night; no more squeaky brakes. And she has A/C. I just couldn’t pass her up.

Neon, I hope you understand. I only want what’s best for you, so I’ve sold you to another 16-year-old girl who is very excited to have you. I hope you two will have a long, happy union.

Best wishes,
Dana


Out with the old.....

and in with the new!

Fiestas and Siestas

What a week! David and I just returned from our vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, last Wednesday, just in time for a perfect Thanksgiving with our families. We stayed at the fabulous Riu Palace Pacifico all-inclusive resort. I'm telling you, there's no other way to vacation than to make it an all-inclusive. It's the best.


Our resort



The view from our room



The weather was just perfect. Mid to high 80s and not a rain cloud in sight. We spent every day by the pool or on the beach soaking up the sun while reading or napping. We also treated ourselves to half hour back massages. Well, you know, with all the stress of deciding what drinks to order and where to eat next, we really needed to relax. :)





We were surprised by how many.... uh.... retirees were there. But we seemed to fit right in. We woke up really early every day and hit the sack by 10:00 every night. Can you believe that?! And usually after dinner we played a game (or two, or three) of gin. Not very exciting, but we enjoyed it.



It was a fantastic (and much needed) vacation. And a great way to end the year.


We were lucky to come home to our families who spent Thanksgiving in Indy this year. The Stelsels, Parkers, and Kassenbrocks all came in for the holiday weekend. It was a LOT of people, but I think everyone had a really great time, so I'd say it was a big success. Poor Chase is exhausted. He's been sleeping for days straight with no sign of waking up any time soon. Bless his heart.



Happy (belated) Thanksgiving to all our family and friends! We hope your holiday was just as blessed as ours.

Tricks and Treats

Ghosts and ghouls
with mischievous rules
try to fright
on this Halloween

But we're not scared
because we don't care
about things
like goblins and spooks

We let down our hair
and dress up to scare
the kiddies
that beg at our door

No time for child's play,
there's a party on the way
and tonight we'll
trick as we treat


My cheeseball!


Russell and Lindsay as "An Office Affair"

Kirk and Laura as Rugrats Tommy Pickle and Angelica

Me and David as grunge couple Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain