Ryan's Christmas Concert

Ryan had his first Christmas program tonight.  Before we left the house, he was BOUNCING off the walls.  Hyper like nobody's business.  I was waiting to see if and when the realization of dozens of people staring at him on stage would bring him out of his Freaky-Ryan mood.

Right before we left.

As the kids walked into the church we waited, and waited, and waited.  Finally, here comes Ryan, head down--avoiding all eye contact, and both hands in his pockets.  He looked so cute and so Ryan. 

He climbed on stage, turned around and spotted us. All is good.

Starting to get a little unsure...

It is hard to actually perform a Christmas concert with hand gestures while his are still in his pockets.

And the concert begins...  Please pay close attention to the little boy to the left of Ryan.  This is Quinton, for the first two songs, he sang and performed to the side wall.

And we are done!

The Gee Reception

Stop the presses.  Kelvin Gee is married!!!  One of Rich's dearest friends, Kelvin Gee, got married a couple of months ago and Saturday night was his reception.  SO MUCH FUN!!!!  We had a great time and were so happy to spend this night with Kelvin and his new bride Serena.

Mr. and Mrs. Kelvin Gee

The first dance.

Gee's Camaro as a cake.

The dessert area.  This does not include the seven tier cake.  This was just avavilable throughout the night in case you needed a snack.

The mix and make candy section.

Look at the chocolate covered strawberries!!!!

Our table.  We were with Steve and Cindy and the girls. 

The menu.  I am so proud of myself....I actually ate most of the stuff on here.  Especially the third selection down...MY FAVORITE FOOD EVER!!!!

The assortment platter.

The Maine lobster.  I could care less that he is staring at me...I ate him anyway!

The chicken.

The abalone with sea cucumber.

Calamari and sea scallops with broccoli.

And the most important....my cocktail choice of the evening.  VodkaCran!

 Favors that we brought home for the kids.

Cindy and Alyssa.

Lauren and all her silly bands.  Fourteen to be exact!

Alyssa sampling the dessert bar.

Exactly what my boys would have been doing during a ten course meal.

The Yee Family. 

Another shot of Kelvin's cake car.

Rich and I enjoying a night out without the boys....even though they would have had a fabulous time.

The three wise men.  Steve, Ron, and Rich.

Amanda out dancing. 

Mel dancing to classic 80's!

Rich, Steve, Kelvin, and Ron.

Here is the caricaturist that sat and did drawings of the guests all night.  It was FINALLY the bride and grooms turn!

At the end of the evening we were able to get some group shots with the Mr. and Mrs. Gee.

The Yee's and Gee's.

The Yee's and Gee's

Guess who... :)



Heart Happy

I love things that make my heart happy.  Big thing, little things, smelly things, and yes, shiny things.  I love this time of the year.  LOVE IT!  I love everything from the music, the lights, the smells, and the lists.  I love making lists and I love reading them.  Which brings me to my heart happy post...

The other night we asked Ryan and Matt to make another list for Santa.  We do this several times because the truth is they change their mind a lot and we pay close attention to the things that repeatedly show up.  When I read Matt's list, it just made my heart happy.  It's still there.  You know what it is.  It hasn't been questioned yet.  It hasn't been discovered yet.  It is very alive and for that I am grateful.  Because when it is over, this won't be fun anymore.  No more letters.  No more questions.  No more threatening to call Santa on a moments notice.  It will be over soon and I was just getting started.  Yes, this whole process is stressful.  This "it" is some serious stuff.  Elbows to the chin in the toy department at Toys R Us serious.  Different wrapping paper from mom and dad's gifts serious.  No evidence of handwriting on gift tags so they won't be able to say later that the handwriting looked familiar serious.  IT is just serious...period.

Here is Matt's heart happy note to Santa.  What I love about it was his gradual...kiss up a little...introduction that not only was thoughtful of Santa's well being, but also of all his reindeer.  Smooth move little man.  Then, after the formalities, he fires away with, "Did you get me presents?"  Then, as if he was concerned that he came on a little strong with the present asking, he then follows it up with "Watch out for the countdown", because we can't have Santa getting hurt coming down the chimney with the gifts.

Here is the back of the letter.  The "List" if you will.  Much thought went into each item.  However, again, afraid of coming off too greedy, then throws in at the end.....whatever you have!  Smart boy.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there....