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I have a few ornaments that I love. Some are new, some are old.... they are all my favorite.

O' Christmas Tree

The Birds

I traveled to Jeans house one day in mid-December to decorate cookies for Christmas. At the end of her street are some sports fields that are part of a school where I saw...

LOUD! SWARMING! BIRDS!

Celebrate

In celebration of Paul's birthday we hit up a Kings game. 

Sadly the Kings lost 2-1. We had a fun evening hanging out together and even running in to the Prices for a few moments before the game began. 

Happy Birthday!

Paul turns 

years young today!

Wii 2011

On Dec. 3rd we hosted the annual Wii Tournament with the Prices and Agadonis. 

Chips, salsa, tacos with all the trimmings and mint cookies were enjoyed. 

Good stories, jokes and laughs. 

Then came game time 

-- it was a fierce battle this year ending in a tie -- 

but after a tie-breaker the Prices were victorious. 

We will need to practice our rootbeerbarsliding skills for next year. 

Merry Christmas from DBC

Biola Family Christmas hosted by DBC

"Buddy the Elf...

...whats your favorite color?"

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.... it's just like talking, except longer and louder, and you move your voice up and down."

"We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup."

Bocceball Champion

Feed the Beast

Regismas

Friday was our Christmas lunch for the office. 

We enjoyed some good Italian food.

Rocked a gift card exchange. 

(where you can 'steal' a card twice and then it can't exchange hands again)

There is always time for a quick group photo.

The day before today...

Yesterday I woke 'round 6am to get ready for my day. I knew it was going to be a long one but there was no way around it. Worked from 8am-330p then got in my car and headed to SD. Normally I love visiting San Diego, however not when I have to drive down and back while only spending 3 hours in the city!

 Months and months ago I agreed to attend a women's dessert at my church down there (like before I had a job!). I had a sour attitude about having to do this (buyers remorse), and begrudgingly went because it was expected of me. 

The event started at 630pm (yes, it took me that long to get there in traffic), when we walked into the sanctuary with 26 tables set up and women about the room chatting and looking at all the wonderful decorations I thought, well I suppose this wont be so bad. 

We were escorted to our table by the hostess and introduced ourselves around to those we didn't know. Then the program started and a women who has traveled all over with singing groups named Joi took the stage, and invited the whole room to stand and sing some Christmas carols with her. It sounded beautiful. My heart opened a little more to the idea that this would be a good night. There were drawings for door prizes, some delicious cupcakes from a Cupcakery in Coronado, and fellowship. 

It was now time for the speaker of the evening, Pam Farrel, and I knew why I was there... the message. It was for me. Something I needed to hear, something I need to do. But that is a whole other post. I am so very glad I went even with the 5 hours of driving and lack of sleep. I needed to be there and hear what she had to say. I left with a much needed lifting of my spirit. 

Miss Slacks-a-lot

 This is the first year that I started NaBlPoMo and didn't finish it. 

I didn't even make it through half of November!

I could promise to post every day during December to make up for it, but lets be honest.... the probability of that happening with all that I have coming up in the next few weeks (even the next few days) is a lot to ask, I can say that I'll try. I want to keep our readers up-to-date with what is going on in our lives. 

I appreciate that this blog helps to keep us in contact with so many across the country whom we cannot see or communicate with as often as we wish.

THANK YOU for continuing to check in on us and see what has been happening out here in SoCal! 

Halloween Registrawr Style

Alpha always puts on an awesome event for Halloween!

Undertaking...

Our 10th anniversary trip to New England

It will be coming soon

PhotosPhotosPhotos

Thank You Veterans

Mountbocce!

Josh, Bowden and Lucy 

took on 

The Hutch and me 

in round after round of Bocceball. 

The end results were less than desirable for the non-mountain folk. 

Encampment

Please read the whole story here.... BUMMER-FREE ZONE

In the afternoon of the Saturday we were in Idyllwild the Mr. and I accompanied Mr. Tate into the woods (on camp property) to check out the potential abandoned camp of a hobo. 

Josh pulling the tent out of the shrubbery.

I enjoyed the scenery

...and documented what the boys found.

Click on the link above for all the details of our outing. 

People

A perk of visiting Idyllwild is getting to spend time with these fine folk. 

Sarah & Josh along with their Tatertots -- Bowden, Lucy, Jack and Miles

Tradition

It is an October tradition that me and the Mr. enjoy some time in Idyllwild. 

This year in our walk about town with the Tates we came across an adorable raccoon! The little raccoon's were abandoned by their mommy so an Idyllwild local nursed them and tried to release them but they just kept coming back. We were allowed to feed 1 of them peanuts and Cheetos! 

Seriously cool to feed a raccoon. Their paws are SO soft.

Look at those teeth!

Mourning

For the past 3 years I have been mourning
-- family, friends, friends family, a job, having kids naturally--

Today while driving home from San Diego I had a random thought pop in my head. "I need to get a box ready to go to Grandma for her birthday and Thanksgiving." Then the tears started to flow. For a moment I had forgotten she was gone (She passed away on May 24th). I will never be sending another birthday box, holiday box or care package to Minot --ever. 

Photos from the Yard

Selling of the Stuff : Part 1

We are having a yard sale at the Alhambra house tomorrow from 9am-1pm. 

You may wonder why the late start? Well that is because this town has rules about this sort of thing. No putting up signs on poles, no starting before 9am, can't sell stuff more that 2 days in a row and only twice a year. 

Given these parameters we will do our best to sell off some stuff but it will probably not be a "SD sellathon"

If you have a chance stop on by -- text or email for address. 

Office Antics

If you are on vacation there is a distinct possibility that something may happen to your cube.