Merry Birthday. Happy Christmas.

In case you hadn't noticed, things around our place are a bit of a mess. This holds especially true around the holidays... something we've come to blame on Hailey. It all started twenty years ago when she was selfishly born on Christmas day, stealing the holiday thunder away from Jesus and his commercial sidekick Santa Claus.

Because she neither saved us from our sins nor delivers things from The Apple Store, Hailey's celebration is the one that gets moved. She is a good sport about it though... even though we all know she's been robbed.

It's hard to believe she's twenty. I know she feels ready to move out and move on... But to be honest, the urgency just isn't there for me. Yet...

A few things from the Christmas/Birthday weekend:

Hailey opened her presents on Christmas Eve.
Everyone did their best to focus on the task at hand.




Christmas Dinner: Prime Rib. Creamy Carrot Soup.
Five hours to make. Five minutes to eat.


Tracy brandishing her gift from Evan... A homemade holiday RPG.

A new Christmas tradition... Pokemon Stadium on the N64.

This picture isn't holiday related, it just confirms how smart I am.

It was nice to have everyone here.
I suspect those moments will soon become a rarity.

Optimism

Hoping to maintain the appearance that we're still trying, Tracy and I recently strung together several productive hours in the back yard. The result? No silly, not a baby... A real, live garden.

We put one in last year as well, but it was a bust. We planted on the late side and the weather was just weird. Nothing quite turned out. No matter...

Amongst the flora we threw down:
Peas in a Pot (not the actual name, pictured top)
Basil (2 plants... Pesto, we know where you live)
Tomatoes (3 varieties including golden pear)
Pumpkins (a tradition... nay, a requirement at our house, 3 plants)
Mucho Nachos (actual name... i kid you not, pictured bottom)





We didn't plant this prickly piece of crap, but it's growing anyway. Across the the basketball court, right toward the house. It may take some time, but the outcome is clear. Unless I cut it back (I won't) this vine will eventually find it's way into our bedroom and choke me while I sleep.


Stay tuned. The results of this garden business will be documented.