Christmas, Disneyland, Copious Amounts of Food, and Etc.

This Christmas we stole away to the more mild climate of Phoenix to be with my two sisters and their husbands, and more importantly our adorable new niece Addison born last month. The first weekend we were there Daryl and I drove over to Disneyland with my Dad and my sister DeAnna. We had a splendid time. As you can see in one of the pictures Alex's cat, Little Kitty, decided to jump in the bath tub with Avery. While in Phoenix Daryl and I attempted to eat a 2 foot long hot dog, but I was little help so we didn't finish. We also went down to Tuscon to try an eating challenge we saw on Man Versus Food. Daryl didn't get the 12 patty hamburger challenge, but instead opted for the tamer 6 patty hamburger challenge which he easily completed. We had a really great time, and we already miss everyone. (I know the Daryl hamburger before and after picture is backward, but I just don't care.)

My Christmas Decorations

Despite the fact that we will soon be leaving for Phoenix to spend Christmas at Tim and Alex's (or T and A as they are sometimes known) I have decorated my house for Christmas. Maybe Adam will enjoy them. At any rate here's my tree with no presents underneath it. Just the way we like it here. In the family room the stockings got hung up on the wall because Avery could reach them when they were hanging from the fireplace. That's also why my little tree is on top of the bookcase this year. In the dining room I created an impromptu homage to Star Trek when I laid out my "snow" and stuck the Enterprise in the middle because its place on the bookshelf was now occupied by a small Christmas tree. This last picture is of Avery in a hat that is probably too small for her and makes a grumpy looking eye ridge on her face. It's pretty funny.

Birthday Overload!

This is me feeling very festive for my birthday. The big present was my vacuum cleaner, a Hoover Wind Tunnel. It was a dream come true. My other cheap vacuum was dying, and this one sucks the cord up into its little vacuum home with a push of a button. I love it. The smaller present was a netbook that is perfect because it is easy to hide from Avery since it is smaller than a regular laptop. The angel on top is a tree topper that my Mom crocheted for me, and is currently on top of one of my Christmas trees. It was a pretty good birthday. Thank you to all those who tendered their warmest birthday wishes they were happily received.

Avery's First Birthday

From Avery's First Birthday

From Avery's First Birthday

From Avery's First Birthday

From Avery's First Birthday

Avery's First Birthday

How mustache growth could speed the economic recovery

From Halloween 2009

When I was shaving off my Halloween Goatee I was tempted for a moment to keep a mustache, but it's not for the style, it's for the money:

http://curiouscapitalist.blogs.time.com/2009/10/08/how-mustache-growth-could-speed-the-economic-recovery/

Avery, Year One

With Avery's First Birthday this week I put the final touches on Avery's Year One Video. Hope you enjoy! (And I hope YouTube doesn't block it for the music.)

Halloween 2009

Here are the pumpkins that Rachel and I carved, Rachel made the taller one:

Avery went trick or treating and visited her Great Grandma:

Here is what I was going for:

Rachel is Dr. Acula

More Photos on Picasa:

Halloween 2009