Holiday Times

The time between Thanksgiving and New Year's always goes so fast. Typically it's because we are traveling for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. While we have spent a couple of Thanksgivings here this is the first Christmas we didn't travel at all. While it was nice not to have the hassle and stress of Holiday Travel, I did miss not going back home. For the past 15 years Christmas has been at the Wilson house in Beloit. I started going there when Steph and I first began dating. That year the Wilson clan were getting professional family pictures done. Bonnie had one done of Steph and I - we'd been dating officially for about 6-8 months or so. Bonnie said we could use it as an engagement picture. We did have to get different pictures since we got engaged 4 years later, it did come out nice - how could it now really.
Rod and Bonnie came in on the 23rd and left of the 28th. While here Bonnie's project was to swap the Carrie's room with Chloe's since Chloe will be sharing the room with her sister in about a month. Now I just have to paint it this weekend. I'll let you know how that comes out. We had a great time together but missed having Amber, Ryan and Lainey there on Christmas morning. We also didn't get to see my family. We ususally have some time with Mom & Dad in KC before heading out to Beloit. We didn't get to see Kristin & Scott and the kids either. Since they moved to Chicago we will have to make special trips to see them instead of combining them in with visits to KC. Mom & Dad went to stay with them for Christmas this year as they came out here for Thanksgiving. I have no idea what we'll do for next year.
Rod and Bonnie got us a Wii and Steph got me a snowboarding game. I really love it. I am also glad that we didnt' have it when I was out of work. While I would have become a fantastic gamer I'm not sure it would have gone over so well with Steph. Dylan is the undisputed champ at bowling so far and defends his crown with enthusiasm and determination. Chloe is trying to get the hang of finger/button coordination. I'm not a snowboarder, but I play one on TV - and I rock! Right now I play with the handheld remotes as all the stores sold out of the balance boards. When those come in we do plan to get one so I can practice and take my show on the road to Colorado next year. Tim, you might still have to show me a few things though.

BABY WATCH - Steph's last checkup went well. The doctor said that the baby's head was down but there is no progress for Steph. So far we're still looking for an Innauguration timeframe. At least we'll have something to celebrate...

Backing Down

OK, I'm officially backing down from my quest to post weekly. Either I don't have much to say, don't have time or I don't think the daily routine in interesting enough to post the same things each week. Any way I look at it I'm changing my goal to every two weeks now. If more than one shows up - call it a bonus of Reeve material.

I did promise an update to the Salt & Pepper shoot. It was a long day but we got it done. The camera guys were late so we ran late. The first things we shot were the intros and bios. I didn't do that well on this part. Drakeel had asked me before and I had some things that I wanted to say but by the time we started the cameras rolling at about 1pm I just wanted to start cooking and eat something. I'd had a couple of doughnuts about 9am and that only cut it for so long. We were supposed to be about done by 1-1:30 so I didn't eat breakfast. I wasn't thinking correctly or thouroughly to properly express my thoughts and feelings. That will be the first thing I change when we have a chance. The acutal shoot went very well. We did our dishes at the same time pointing out the differences as we went along. We had a lot of fun doing it and I just hope that all came across on film. Now comes the hard part of editing. We should have something to show at the beginning of the year. No worries - I'll let you know when the site is active.

For Thanksgiving Mom & Dad came out for a few days. They arrived Thanksgiving morning. Steph took the kids to go pick them up and I stayed behind to get the food prep started. I did put them to work when they got home. Steph finished the Sweet Potatoe casserole, Mom made a 7 layer salad and helped with the gravy, Dad carved up the turkey. It all came out perfect and with all that help we at relatively on time. I think that's a first.

It's always great to have Mom & Dad visit. They watched the kids so Steph and I could go on a date Friday night. We went to see the movie Fireproof. If you are married, go see it. We had to drive to Baltimore to see it and it comes out on video soon. Dad and I along with my brother-in-law Scott are taking a 'Winning at Work and Home' class together online so this movie played right into that. It offers an interesting perspective on marriage - go see it.