"One Busy Week!!"

Yes, vacations aren't always about laying around and not doing much. We really packed it in this week! Between Christmas morning, a trip to San Antonio, and a Dallas Stars hockey game, there was plenty to keep us busy! First things first...Christmas morning! Emmy got up first, around 6am. Of course, we were exhausted, so we told her to go back to bed for one more hour. Fast forward eleven minutes. She comes back in again. We tell her the same thing: go back to bed! So, every eleven minutes, this continues, until finally Emmy can't stand it anymore, so she goes into Zach's room and turns his lamp on. Now he was sound asleep, and didn't take too kindly to being disturbed. Emmy kept saying, "Don't you want to get up and see what Santa brought you?" and Zach was all "No, get out of here!" When we heard that, we knew it was time to get up. Hey, who are we to make kids wait to see what Santa brought them right?


OMG, did Santa really bring young Zachary his own iPod Touch?? AND...did Santa really bring Emmy her own flip video camera? Well, judging by the picture, you can see he did. Now Zach won't be asking to borrow someone else's, and Emmy can make her own movies about...well, whatever she finds interesting.


Man, look at those stockings! Whoever thought if the idea of hanging stockings just to get extra presents is a genius!


A Fijit!! If you don't know what this thing is, it's an interactive toy that (sort of) understands what you say, dances, tells jokes, all in a voice that would make Elmo cringe. It's kind of entertaining.


Zach wanted his own deck of playing cards more than anything else. Very glad Santa brought him those. His favourite game right now is Go-Fish. hey, it's easy enough to learn, and easier to play. He's getting pretty darn good.


Coolest...pajamas...ever!


Coolest...hoodie...ever!

After the presents were opened and we had a little breakfast, we headed over to Grandma's house for a yummy lunch! Unfortunately, it was very hard for me to enjoy it since the stomach bug that swept through pretty much most of the country managed to find Emmy, Zach and me. Emmy was done by Saturday but mine hit all day Sunday. I ate a little, but by the evening I was so sleepy and freezing I stayed home that night while everyone else hung out and played games. Ah well. Such is life. Better to get it out of the way sooner than later.


Me: "What's the matter Dean? You too good for a smoothie maker?"
Dean: "What makes you say that?"
Me: "Well...your face...plus that you just told me last week that you were too good for a smoothie maker..."

Wednesday we went down to San Antonio to see some family of Cari's. Not much to do but we did find some enjoyment in their mini golf course:


Zach: "Fore!"
Me: "Um, how hard did you hit the ball Zach?"
Zach: "About 45 yards..."
Me: "On a miniature golf course?"
Zach: "All about the power stroke Dad..."


Poetry in motion!! I didn't actually play, but I sure did give much-needed tips and advice to those who were.

So, we came back, and did some much-needed cleaning around the house, and then...the YMCA had their 2nd Annual Polar Bear Plunge! Now I'm not crazy enough to jump in freezing water in the middle of winter. But Zach and Emmy sure are:


They look like they're having fun...but they sure got out as fast as they jumped in!


Emily even got on the news! Of course, we somehow managed to not record it. We're still searching for it online.

Saturday night. Dallas Stars vs. the Stanley Cup-winning Boston Bruins! Keri gave us her suite passes since she decided to go see tattoo-ridden Adam Levine and Maroon 5 at the Winstar Casino. And man, this may have been the best game ever to go and see. We won 4-2 and there was even a fight!:



Not really sure who won, but in hockey all that matters is that they kiss and make up afterwards.


Love this shot of us! Possible Christmas card entry for next year I do believe.

Those suites really know how to put out a spread! Roast beef, fried chicken, nachos, hot dogs, salads...and I took advantage. Doesn't make me sound too great I suppose. But that was a great night.

We also managed a couple of trips to Six Flags, but those can wait for next week. I'm doing all of these posts in one day since I got a little behind. I think this was the best Christmas ever. I think I say that every year but this year...seems like everyone got what they wanted. What did I want? To be with family...to have a good dinner here and there...but mostly to keep in mind that Jesus really is the reason for the season. We sometimes forget that, even if we claim not to.