supersonics

Doug took Malcolm to the Sonics / Celtics game tonight. It was the first time Ray Allen returned to the Key since being traded to the Celtics...and he had a hand in the ultimate Sonics defeat. Final Score: Celtics 104 Sonics 96.

Malcolm cheered hard for "his" team and loved the slam dunks. He was tuckered out and went straight to bed (near 11:30) when he got home...

christmas day

despite the fact that the kids didn't get everything they asked for, they were pretty excited about what they did get...

a video camera

an mp3 player

a bitty baby

a sleeping bag in a backpack

Later in the afternoon, Aunt Sheila, Uncle Andy and Preston came over to play games and eat dinner with us. Aunt Sheila made yummy gingerbread and a pear-something-or-other and real whipped cream for dessert.



We feel very fortunate to have each other, a loving and supportive family, and amazing friends. We are grateful for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and for our testimonies of the plan of salvation; we know that we are children of God.


All in all (as Laurel would say), it was a pretty great Christmas.

the aftermath...

christmas eve (UPDATED)

We went to the Campbell's home for Christmas Eve...we ate homemade Chinese food (fried wontons, egg rolls, sweet and sour pork, and beef n' broccoli along with fried rice and white rice) and watched our favorite movie: "A Christmas Story."

For dessert the kids made gingerbread houses, and ate lots of candy...

Then we went home to change into our Christmas jammies...

...before heading to "Slurpee 11" for our traditional Christmas Eve Slurpees.

Merry Christmas to all ~ and to all a good night!

sunday best

I actually remembered to take a picture of the kids in their "Sunday best" in front of the tree...I usually forget until we're putting them to bed that last Sunday before Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

christmas tag

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? wrapping paper...but I horde gift bags with the intent of rebagging...

2. Tree--Real or Artificial? real...but I have to admit, after seeing Becca's 12-footer this year, artificial is looking more and more appealing...

3. When do you put Christmas tree up? the first weekend in December (usually)

4. Like egg nog? yes...and Karen introduced me to "spiked" egg nog at Thanksgiving...a little nog and a little sprite. yummy!

5. Do you have a nativity scene? about 15 (give or take a few). most of them are small. I decided I need more after our Stake started a Creche exhibit a few years ago. They're amazing!!

6. Favorite Christmas gift received as a child? I don't know if it was my favorite, but I remember when I was 8, after all the hullabaloo was over...my Dad said, "Oh look ~ what's that on the tree? It looks like we forgot one..." and there was a brand new Timex wristwatch hanging on the tree for me. see #20 for another favorite

7. Hardest person to buy for? probably Doug...if he wants something he gets it for himself

8. Easiest person to buy for? Dana (this year)

9. Worst Christmas gift? is there such a thing?

10. E-mail or snail mail Christmas card? photo card and a "green" Christmas letter (http://thedillon6christmas.blogspot.com)

11. Favorite Christmas movie? A Christmas Story and Elf

12. When do you start shopping for Christmas? sometimes during the year...usually in November.

13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I know I've recycled other gifts...not sure about a Christmas gift specifically...

14. Favorite food to eat on Christmas? I love a "traditional" dinner: spiral sliced ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, green beans, and something for dessert...

15. Clear or colored tree lights? clear

16. What is your favorite Christmas Song? O, Holy Night ~ but I love them all

17. Travel during Christmas or Stay home? we have never traveled at Christmas...we hope to keep it that way. It seems like it would be a logistical nightmare...

18. Can you name Santa's reindeer? dasher, dancer, prancer, vixen, comet, cupid, donder, blitzen and rudolph

19. Angel or Star on Tree top? a lighted star (that apparently Doug doesn't care for)

20. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? this one has a story (that's partially related to the question): when I was growing up we got to choose one present to open on Christmas Eve...when I was 12 I asked for a Walk-Man...when my parents came home from shopping they dropped a HUGE bag in the entry hall and left (WHY? who knows)...I opened the bag to sneak a peek and there was a compact FM-Radio with headphones. I was so excited! On Christmas Eve I felt and shook all of my presents and determined that was the one. I'm sure I put on a great show about how surprised I was...that night I fell asleep listening to the radio on my headphones. BUT in the morning I was sad and very remorseful when I realized there was no element of surprise left for me. I've never peeked since then. AND I'm very reluctant to allow the kids to open anything on Christmas Eve for fear of ruining the element of surprise for them.

21. Most annoying thing about this time of year? worrying about offending someone by saying "Merry Christmas" ~ if it weren't for Christmas, it would just be another month of "whatever"

22. Favorite thing about Christmas? I love the "magic" of the season...I will be very sad when our kids no longer "believe" in Santa...


And now, if you are reading this, you are "tagged." Copy this and post it on your own blog...

henry

Henry is our dog. As we were celebrating Holly's birthday yesterday (without Holly), we were reminiscing about how it had been 5 years since we made the decision to get a dog. We were driving to Holly's birthday dinner and Doug said, "Laurel, if you had a dog, what would you name it?" Then he asked Malcolm the same question. I'm sure he would have asked Aubrey, but at 6 months old, she wouldn't have had much to say. Then he asked Holly if a boy dog or a girl dog would be better to own. She turned to me and said, "Are we getting a dog?!" My reply was, "I have no idea...Doug, are we getting a dog?!" At which point the kids went nuts!

Doug and I had had many discussions about owning a dog. Sadly, we'd finally reached the conclucsion that we had to agree to disagree...Doug said dogs belonged outside. I thought that they could play outside, but should sleep inside and hang out with the family...especially on cold, snowy, rainy nights. And so we were pet-less for years.

Until that night 5 years ago. We spent the next several nights at animal shelters in Westchester County...the kids loved the idea of a dog, but not the reality. We had to drag them over to the animals and then pray that the anxious dogs wouldn't knock them to the ground. Holly had lots of good advice for us, but in those first 5 days we had no luck.

So Holly went home for Christmas and we were left to the dog-hunting by ourselves. On Sunday, December 23, 2002, we headed out to North Shore Animal League. I had heard their "Free Adoption Weekend" ads on the radio and we figured it was worth a shot. Sadly, the dogs they brought us were just like the others...hyper, jumpy, fidgety and they scared the pants off Laurel and Malcolm. Just before closing time, one of the teenager volunteers said, "Hey -- have you met Henry?" We said, "Nope." And he said, "Hold on...I'll go get him." I still remember Henry loping into the "visiting area" of the shelter...his head hung low to the ground, his tail wagged ever-so-slightly, and he had such sad eyes. It was like time stood still. Laurel immediately went to him and wanted to pet him. Doug and I did the same. All of a sudden Laurel said, "OOOOOHHHH!! Malcolm's playing with POOH!" And sure enough, he was standing there mushing some doggy-doo through his fingers. I plopped Aubrey on the ground and headed for the nearest bathroom to clean him up. GROSS!

When we got back to the visiting area, Henry had walked to Aubrey and was standing guard over her. She was happily playing with his tags. We said, "When can we take him home?" Laurel hugged him goodbye. Malcolm gave him a love. And then we left, hoping he'd still be there in the morning...Since it was closing time, I had to go back the next day. What we didn't know was that Henry had "kennel cough" and was on antibiotics. He'd also just been neutered and was very sensitive. We also didn't realize that there was such an extensive and thorough adoption process...it was such a relief when I was told, "Congratulations! You can take Henry home!" that I started to cry. :)

Henry has been a great dog for our family. He is beautiful, faithful, fairly obedient, and very tolerant of us. He didn't even bark for the first several months he lived with us. We would all get so excited when he did!

When we moved from New York to Washington, we packed his crate into the back of the mini-van. Doug drove him the whole way, and said that he was a real trooper!

Because we couldn't move right into our home when we got to Washington, we left Henry with our friends in Carnation...at the time, they lived on the top of a remote mountain and he was free to roam over 20 acres with their 4 dogs. They left the dogs for a football road trip one weekend, and we got a call from a neighbor of theirs who was curious how a New York dog had landed on their porch. We were so happy when Henry finally came "home" to live with us again. Malcolm was so excited that he took his nap on Henry's blanket that day.

He loves having a big yard to play in. His favorite times of the day are when we head to the bus stop to take the kids and pick them up from school.

I get very sad when I think about the fact that Henry is aging 7 times faster than we are...one day he will be gone and we'll only have our memories of the perfect addition to our family. But until then, we'll just be happy to have him!

may your new year...

...be more enjoyable than sitting on Santa's Lap...

Laurel in 1999 (The Galleria: White Plains, NY):



Malcolm in 2001 (The Galleria: White Plains, NY):



Aubrey in 2003 (Factoria Mall: Bellevue, WA):


And Dana today, in 2007 (The SuperMall: Auburn, WA):

petite sophisticate...

Dana was being very quiet in the living room today...it made me very nervous, so I went to investigate...

I found her reading a book at the Christmas table ~ with all of the choices of Christmas books, she pulled this one off the shelf and seemed fascinated by its contents...

victory!

Doug got the lights working! Hooray!!!

We're still not as bright as our neighbors, but hopefully this will appease the kids and their demands for Christmas decor! ;)

I took these pictures of our neighbors' homes during the snow fall we had a couple of weeks ago...it was such a beautiful and peaceful night ~ and their houses looked amazing!

tree, drama, and dinner

The SUN was shining when we woke up on Saturday morning. Hooray! And Doug said, "Let's get the tree this morning." Double-HOORAY! I don't remember actually buying a tree during daylight before, so it was fun. We chose the 3rd tree we looked at. It seems shorter and not-as-full as its predecessors, but the lights gave it some life, and now that the decorations are on it, it's as pretty as any tree we've ever had.




When we got back home Doug climbed up on the roof and outlined the roofline in red and green c-9 bulbs. After they were lighted, though, they kept turning off...Doug can't figure out why, and the rain has started again. Hopefully we'll be able to figure it out.



Laurel and Malcolm "starred" in "The Pied Piper." It was a lot of fun to see them on stage. Laurel is definitely in her element, and made a big impact with her, "Well excuuuuuuuuuuuuuuse me! humph!" line. And Malcolm's rat dance was very impressive and got a lot of comments afterwards ~ try to envision him doing the "sprinkler" with the peace sign while jumping up and down...



Hottie and Matt came to Friday night's show and we enjoyed a Reception (complete with giant cookies and apple juice) in Laurel's classroom following the show. It was fun to see them...it's been a long time. They're excited about their new house, and the kids can't wait to go visit them!




Grandpa and Grandma Sandii, and Preston, Aunt Sheila & Uncle Andy were patrons of the theatre on Saturday afternoon. We also visited with them afterwards. Malcolm loved playing ball in the street with Grandpa. Aubrey was pleased to have seen all 3 performances.



We took pictures of the kids during their "bowing" sessions (not permitted DURING the show), but sadly missed the chance to take pictures of them with all of their fans. :(





To celebrate their great acting, we took the kids to Applebees for dinner. It always sounds and looks better than it turns out. But the kids love it and they had FREE coupons for their dinners for being GRReat readers.


It was a fun weekend...now, on to the rest of the Christmas season!

nativity

Our Stake had a Creche Exhibit this weekend. Our family has enjoyed it each year. The pictures they take in the Children's Room are always fun.

festival of lights

Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah and this is my favorite non-gentile holiday of the year (well, except for maybe the Seder at Passover). I honor the holiday by making Latkes for dinner...I figure that's more respectful than lighting a menorah in my living room window.

Hanukkah (Hebrew: חנוכה‎, also spelled Chanukah or Hanukah), also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday beginning on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may fall anytime from late November to late December. It celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple at the time of the Maccabee rebellion. The festival is observed by the kindling of lights on each night of the holiday: one on the first night, two on the second, and so on.

Hanukkah always reminds me of living in New York. And especially of Barbara, Brian and Adamo. I was their nanny for a year, and then after we were married for 2 years Doug and I moved in with them for another 2 years. We had a lot of fun with them and we were always happy to have "family" there in New York...UNTIL they moved away from us. Then we were all alone on the East Coast. ;)

Here are some pictures of Adamo...he's changed a little (duh) since he's almost 24, and not 3-1/2!!

the pied piper

Auditions were held for the Pied Piper today. Laurel and Malcolm were both given parts. Malcolm (as you might well imagine) is a RAT! He is proud to be the "rat that eats." Not quite sure what that means at this point, but I'm sure we'll know sooner than later...Laurel is a "Townskid." She was heartbroken and very teary when she didn't get "a big part" in the play. I explained to her that next year would be her year, since the 5th graders usually get those parts. It didn't help much, but she soon remembered that the Directors told the actors that the Townskids have a lot of "personality." We giggled about ways that she can steal the show with "personality" and style...we'll keep you posted on the outcome.

Missoula Children's Theatre (http://www.visitmt.com/categories/moreinfo.asp?IDRRecordID=11957&SiteID=1) is amazing! They come to town with 2 Directors, scripts, costumes and sets...and in less than 5 days, you get to watch a full-blown musical production. "Auditions" and first rehearsal on Monday; 2 to 4-hour rehearsals (depending on parts) Tuesday and Wednesday; full-scale 4-hour rehearsals on Wednesday evening; dress rehearsal for the school on Friday afternoon; live public performances on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. Truly amazing!! This is their 2nd year at our school and we look forward to many more years of fun!

once there was a snowman...

We got snow on Saturday. Not much, by most standards. But enough that the kids had plenty of time to play, get cold, have fun, and build a snowman with their friends. We couldn't believe that they were able to get such a huge snowman, but they worked on it for several hours...and as you can see, they didn't leave much behind on the lawn...

This is taken at our friends' home...they live across the street and we were celebrating their son's (and Malcolm's best friend's) baptism. We thought it was nice that the same day Ethan wore white, our neighborhood did, too. :) (I know that sounds a bit corny, but it's true!)

Now that the rain has come, this poor fella' is but a memory amongst the raindrops. :( We mourn his melting...

we've been Elfed...

You can see us dancing here: http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1133980027