Resolutions for the New Year

Yes it is that time of year again to think about making changes in our lives. Yes, I am talking about the dreaded resolutions. So I am curious. Do you make resolutions? How many? Do you limit yourself to one or two resolutions, or maybe you make a long list knowing that if you succeed in one or two you are better off.

Maybe you refuse to go along with the crowd and don't make any resolutions. Or maybe you are already perfect...just kidding. Maybe you make them in secret and then tell the little white lie to everyone that you didn't make any resolutions. I have done that one in the past. That way when I fail I have no one that knows. I know, I know. No comments about Keith and his preaching to men on accountability...

So here is your chance. Make some comments on your resolutions, or lack of resolutions. Tell us what you do or don't do. No pressure...

What a b-e-a-utiful day!

It pushed 60 degrees here today with bright, warm sunshine. There is barely any snow showing on Cheyenne Mountain. The kids played outside all day long. The played football, basketball, and all sorts of odds and ends with the neighbors. They ran around in short sleeves, with one young neighbor girl going so far as to run around in shorts.

Christie and I spent the afternoon working in our backyard. I can't believe I just typed that! It is almost January and I am working in the back yard in a t-shirt! I admit I was whistling a happy tune as I worked. Yes, it is a little above the seasonal average, but even January averages 45 here in the Springs, so it is not like we were unbelievably warm. We are supposed to have more of the same tomorrow. I will be fertilizing my lawn, just like two of my neighbors did today.

I must admit, that I do not miss the weather in Kenosha at all, and my kids are happy to be playing outside without having to wear one of these:

Private Club

Caleigh's room has become an elite club that is for members only. Keep in mind that she has shared a room with her sisters for the last three years so she is not used to having her own room as a young lady. Now, she is testing her freedom. She started by locking the door to keep everyone else out. She just turned nine a week and a half ago so I had to put a stop to that. I explained to her that she could shut her door, but I did not want it locked. I may as well have told her that the moon was made of cheese because that is about the equivalent of her belief in my statement. It wasn't but a day later that the door was once again locked. Yeah, the old man went off the deep end. So, my clever, conniving, sweet daughter figured out a new trick. She started restricting access to one or more of her siblings. She will allow one or two in, and "block" the other ones. It is never the same ones allowed in, but those that are special enough to be granted membership status at that particular minute seem to be allowed just because of Caleigh's passing whim at that particular moment. Yes, I put a stop to that this morning and explained to her about equality and hurt feelings. I do not know which excited me more...the "evil glare" or the "dad is a retard" look. She is testing her new freedom, as an independent jerk myself I can understand her actions. As a dad, I must play John Wayne and lay down the law. Next time I may break out the "listen here, ya little buckaroo" line. That should get a great roll of the eyes from Caleigh!

Here is Maci "crying" outside of Caleigh's door. Yes, she is acting for the shot, but those tears were real earlier.

Poor Pipes

Christie now has the stomach flu. Keep in mind that this comes after Maci and I viciously attacked the toilets a few days ago. Our poor pipes have to be screaming "uncle" by now. I guess it is good that we test all facets of the house when we move in so that we know every nook and cranny. Hopefully Christie will be better soon. It's no fun to see her sick. That's about all. We took the day and did a few household chores, but mainly just relaxed. I made homemade tortillas for some yummy quesadillas.

Unwrapped

Aaahhhh. Santa has come and gone. I think Christie heard him hit our house about 12:30 last night. We found out that Norad tracks Santa. It is pretty stinking cool. For kids (and adults) that waiver on their belief of Jolly Ole Saint Nick, rock steady proof of his existence is available through the fact that one of our sharpest government agencies is able to track his every move. Josh's "curiosity" was quickly remedied with tracking Santa's progress through Norad.

Last night we had potato soup that Christie made. Wow, it was awesome. For dessert we had homemade vanilla and peppermint ice cream from Nate and Tiffany (our next door neighbor). We sat around and enjoyed each other's company. It was nice and relaxing.

This morning the kids tore through the gifts from us and the rest of the family and are off in their own portions of the house playing with the new goodies. Christie and I got Jake got an air soft "sniper rifle". This is not his first one, but this thing is the toughest and coolest one he has ever had. Oddly, we watched A Christmas Story last night and I had to remind him "that he will shoot his eye out". Do not worry though! It will not be his eye he shoots out, but our dog better run. Run, Desi, Run!

The kids got a Wii from the grandparents and I am sure for the next week we will all be Wii Zombies. It is very cool and will get lots of use. Is it wrong to have an XBox 360, a Wii, an old XBox, and an old PS all set up on different TVs in four different rooms? I love the technology and enjoy the games, but I also ponder what we have become and where we are going.

Maci was inundated with Dora stuff, Melia swamped with Elmo items, Josh with Spider Man and Transformers, and Caleigh with Hannah Montana and HSM. All their favorite stuff.

Now off to cook dinner. In the words of one of my favorite authors, the beloved Dr Suess, we will be eating "roast beast".

Merry Christmas y'all....

Merry Christmas

From our family to you and yours...

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!

BTW...for all of you back in Wisconsin...we do not have snow on the ground, tomorrow will be a high of 47 with sunshine, and nobody in this house is really complaining!

Dad and Becky over for Christmas

My dad and sister came to our house to celebrate Christmas and Caleigh's 9th birthday. They just left this morning, and a good time was had by all. The most interesting events? Maci and I both had the stomach flu while they were here. Oh yeah...

Melia opened a baby doll and was really excited about it. My sister made the comment that the baby doll was the ugliest baby that she had ever seen. Josh being quick on his feet and sharp with the wit for a 6 year old responded to my 34 year old sister that "she looks just like you". Quick on the wit...slow on the descretion that 6 year old is.

Anyhoo...all had a good time and we were sad to see them go.

Holiday Party at our house last weekend

Having just been in the cul de sac for three weeks, we have quickly discovered that we live in a wonderful little community of 5 houses that contain great neighbors. They rock! It feels like one of those movies where you move into a neighborhood and everybody is too nice and neighborly. Later in the movie? Well we have all seen what happens. Thinking about it, it may end up being our house that will produce the dead bodies in the furnace (see The Burbs). We are just a little strange you know. Anyway, I have already had help from my neighbors on hanging lights and such, sat out with them talking and having fun, played full court basketball, and have helped them with some of their tasks. We have had numerous visits and gifts from our little community in such a short time. In return we thought we should have them over for a holiday party. Yes...we threw a party after having moved in just 3 weeks before. Long story short, it was a great time, everybody showed up and we played games and talked late into the night. We feel pretty fortunate to have "happened" into such a cool place.

Along with the adults, we had 12 kids in our house (of course 5 were ours). The older girls played dress up with Maci and Melia (in the front with Caleigh between them). Here is a pic showcasing their handiwork. Aren't they adorable?

Moved

We have now been in Colorado for almost a month. To me it seems like we just got here and for some other family members it seems like we are pretty well entrenched here already. Most of the crud that goes with a move halfway across the US has now settled down...and we hit Christmas. We are frantically finishing up Christmas shopping and decorating, which is not normal for us. We figure that we will start the blog as a way for family and friends to keep up with the happenings of our little piece of life here in Colorado. Feel free to comment away as we look forward to hearing from all of you.