Christmas Break 2012

We enjoyed a very nice, quiet, peaceful Christmas this year which allowed us to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ!  There was a bit less excitement than we're used to since Lisa accompanied Andrew to San Jose to celebrate with his family this year.  She was missed, but she had a good time and was warmly welcomed by his family (and we did have them both here for Thanksgiving).  Before they left, we had a chance to make some Christmas cookies which we shared with friends and neighbors.

Side note - We are really getting used to living without TV since our return from California this summer and it has freed up so much time for us to take up the activities we "never had time for" before.  As we told many of you previously, we didn't have access to TV this past summer during our 5 months in Mammoth Lakes and we started noticing a few nice side effects; 1. We lost weight since we weren't sitting in front of the TV snacking and instead of sitting in front of the TV we were out doing other active things,  2. Our blood pressures became collectively lower since we didn't spend time mulling over the latest "news stories"  reported by the "media" and the latest political antics, cliffs, threats, etc, 3. We are now going to bed earlier and getting up earlier since we're not staying up to watch shows.  4. We are getting things done around the house and we now have time to finish projects and explore new hobbies!

We aren't going totally TV free, however, since we still have the internet and can watch select shows on Hulu and Netflix. We are just more selective now and we don't find ourselves "surfing" the channels.  We'll keep you updated on how this plan works out long-term...

Meanwhile, back at Christmas, Diana started the day by making us a load of whipped pancakes!  They were awesome.

Then on to the presents...

Isabel will be getting an angora rabbit in the next few weeks for use as a 4H project so it made sense that she should receive some rabbit associated gifts.  Here she is holding a new water bottle

and here she is modeling the robe her momma made her.  In addition she received a new Carhart Jacket, more rabbit stuff, beauty supplies and  a beautiful necklace from grandpa Bob and Grandma Anne (as did her sister).  She also received some spending cash, which she really liked!

The cats also got into the spirit.  Here is Isabel's kitty opening her present (catnip spray).

And she was just as excited once it was open.  (She can't remember much after this and she did end up sleeping away most of the rest of the day!)

 All in all, it was a good day to focus on the real reason for Christmas and enjoy each other's company!  We are starting to realize that we won't have the kids around forever, so we need to really cherish the time we do have...