A Christmas Review ... First Up ... Bella's House!

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. It's a new year. I have a resolution list a mile long (I typed it out this year) and on DAY 2 of 2009 ... I'm striking out on "becoming the new me!" And while I'm a bit disappointed that the yoga DVD has yet to be opened and I failed to go to bed earlier, so I could wake up earlier and complete the Beth Moore Bible study I started in September and only completed 4 days of ... and I have yet to really plan out a meal (I'm guessing the pizza and pre-packaged salad we had last night doesn't count) ... I figure ... no need to get down. Why not just start the new year on Monday? Like every time I want to start I diet I say, "I'll just start that on Monday." So for the rest of the world ... HAPPY NEW YEAR but to me ... I'll bid adieu to 2008 on Sunday night.

And because of that grand decision ... I have 3 more days to post 2008 Christmas pictures.

And I can breathe a bit.

Now ... onto the Christmas celebrations!

Oh ... first. One more disclaimer. Over the Christmas season, I became the driver of a gold Honda minivan. I figured I'd let you know on the front end ... just in case you needed to find a cooler friend. But before you judge me ... it does have leather seats and a DVD player ... and plenty of room to sneak you off to San Diego the next time we go ... so think real hard about whether mocking me is a good idea ;)
The GIFT OF THE YEAR. A steel drum ... made in Trinidad. Sold at Nordstroms for $108 ... purchased by me for $4.97 at Last Chance. My mom has ALWAYS loved steel drums and we are here to make people happy! (I left the price tag on my gift just because I was so pleased with my deal!)
J How found something for HIM!!!
That Bella knows the way to a boy's heart ... a wind up Thomas that can go in the car!!! My fingers and my back would also like to thank Bella from turning around and winding that SWEET, TINY Thomas from her home to Blythe!
E and his Gigi ... watching Thomas go around and around!
And then ... Big How and Gigi came through with another great gift ... Skarloey!

Thanks for the presents ... How, Gigi and Bella! (I got an iron!! Mine dropped on the floor a few months ago and while I figured that boycotting freshly pressed clothes was a good idea ... thanks to Gigi, the world will see a few less wrinkles).
And finally ... I leave you with our FAVORITE Christmas tradition ... pecan rolls! We eat LOTS and LOTS of these ... when they only appear once a year ... one can afford to ignore the calories!