End to the Fun and Back to the Grind...

Christmas and New Year's are but a memory and it's back to reality tomorrow. While I enjoyed the holidays I don't feel rested really but I can't really complain. I got to spend lots of quality time with precious family.

Christmas morning started out quietly. H and I were up by about 7:30 and I started the cinnamon rolls but we had to wait a little while for Scott to get up. When he finally did we got started on gifts right away.

This was his sleepy face when he realized the unwrapped gift opposite him was actually for him.



We splurged and got him something big for Christmas since we really didn't get him much for his birthday back in September and nothing for graduation. This was something he really wanted and something he can take with him when he finally moves out.


This was the surprised face when someone realized Santa had bought them a present too!



She needed a little help opening it but once it was opened she really liked it!


Charlie liked it too!


H was a little confused by his gift at first.


But once he realized what it was and had a chance to try it out, he really liked it!


The rest of the day was spent pretty quietly, playing with our new and old toys. I spent the day reading on my iPad2 Kindle. I read The Hunger Games on Christmas day and then the other two books in the trilogy between Christmas and New Years. They were so hard to put down, highly recommend them!

The next day we had another Christmas! Quinn and family returned and we had Christmas all over again!


Andy was happy with this "instant happiness" present of the gift of a few lunches/dinners at Chipoltle's. It can be hard to buy for the man who has everything and wants for nothing, but food is usually a good bet.


Amber loved these LL Bean slippers but sadly they did not love her and were a little on the tight side, even after some people with bigger feet tried to stretch them out for her. Luckily she has a store near her home and will try to exchange them.


This little girl was very serious while opening her gifts and got right down to business. Her trusty friend was at her side helping her


She loved this little bear backpack that Grandpa brought her back from Korea.


We got a little bit of snow after Christmas and Grandpa gave Quinn a ride to the mailbox. She liked the snow but wasn't quite sure what to think about it.



The rest of the week was pretty uneventful. Andy flew back to Virginia to work for a few days and then came back Friday night. We spent New Year's Eve day around the house and then H, Amber and Andy got to go to a Piston's game on New Year's Eve. Quinn and I spent a little time at our friend's New Year's Eve party. Once H and Amber and Andy got there we stayed for a brief time and then came back home to watch all the music programs. We all had a hard time staying awake until midnight but we did make it.

The next day Amber and Andy gathered all their goodies and spent the morning packing up and were on the road by 10:30. They were lucky to have good weather coming and going. It can be dicey this time of year to drive in the midwest.

Now we are getting back into work mode as we all go back to work tomorrow. It's going to be tough getting up at 5:00 again.

I don't have any specific resolutions for the new year but I do have a few goals. I really want to pay down debt so will work on that. I'd like to get H and I healthier, eating better, more fruits and veggies. I would also like to get back into walking again. H moved my treadmill back here from a friend's house and fixed it so I have no excuse not to use it. I need more energy and going to bed earlier and getting some exercise should help. A new year is a good time to rethink your life and how things are working. There's always room for improvement.

These next few videos are mostly for Tyler. While he is leading an exciting life there in Korea and enjoying seeing the world, including travelling to Bali for Christmas, he is missing seeing his only niece grow up and pictures just don't do her justice. Neither do these videos really because she is much funnier in person. Every time a song comes on she goes to grab everyone's hand and says, "dance with me"! So cute. I miss her already!

Have a good week!