Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas again, can you believe it? Kitty sure can!

It seems like it was just New Years' 2009, but here we are again with another holiday season. This year we again had Christmas dinner at our home, on Christmas Eve. My parents, sister, and both Alex and Taylor were here to help us celebrate. It was great to have the girls down for a few days over the holidays.

We opened presents as a family on the night of the 23rd so there wouldn't be any rushing around on Christmas Eve with the other going ons. Angie and I also did all the prep work for dinner. Angie's menu included a big salad, lasagna, spaghetti, meatballs, and kielbasa.

Christmas morning, I got up early to take Alex and Taylor home. Once I got back we relaxed by the fire and watched movies the rest of the day.

Happy holidays!

Michigan Visit

Angie and Sid went back to Michigan just before Christmas for time with family to remember her grandmother who had just passed. Although the trip was not for the happiest of circumstances, I know Ang and Sid thoroughly enjoyed the time they were able to spend with the Michigan family. Their first night there, Gob was up at camp and got a deer, which I believe is his first of the season. You know what that means? We're expecting jerky in Colorado in the near future.

While the girls were out of town, I held down the zoo, taking care of the boys and Sid's rats. It gave me a taste of what it is like for Angie when I am out of town. It really is so much different being the one at home while the others are out traveling.

Catching Up (Yet again)

So, lots has gone on since my last update and trip to Dublin. I'm not even sure I remember it all. I think I went to California for a week after being home a couple days, then Ang and I went to the Dominican Republic for our honeymoon, and of course the holidays arrived. Oh, and our community's annual Halloween party, how could I forget that?

Angie and I planned our honeymoon way back in May when we decided on the Dominican Republic as our destination of choice. We received several recommendations, but ultimately chose the Ocean Blue and Sands resort in Punta Cana. Our stay was truly amazing. We upgraded to the Privilege Club, which gave us a few extra perks, including a special restaurant for breakfast, upgraded room, and a reserved area of the beach with wait service. Our ten days were filled with mornings on the beach, afternoons by the pool (including my favorite, swim up bar), and dinner at each of the resorts restaurants.

We also took part in several activities at the resort and enjoyed a couple excursions off site. One day we took the party boat out and went snorkeling, swam with sting rays and sharks, and enjoyed an ocean swim on a private beach. Our other fun time away from the resort was a long bus ride into the jungle where we geared up and slid along zip lines over the jungle below. I think we both agree that this was our favorite (even if I had to wear a pink helmet). Back at the resort, I was roped into a beer drinking contest, where I represented well, but did not win (probably a good thing). I was also convinced to play water polo and participate in a water balloon toss, winning bottles of rum in each case. That rum will get you every time.

Grandma Roxann came to Colorado to take care of Sidney while Ang and I were galavanting around the Caribbean, which allowed them to spend quality time together. Sidney loves her grandma so much, and of course Roxann adores Sid.

It sure didn't feel like the holidays while we were sunning ourselves on the sandy beaches of Punta Cana, but that reality set in when we got home, as I had to walk through a foot of snow wearing flip flops to get to the car.

Thanksgiving this year was pretty low key. Angie made a fabulous turkey, we hosted my sister Nancy, and my parents for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, while enjoying the annual football games. I think it's one of the few times Angie doesn't mind watching football...the other time is if the Packers are playing.

OK, that about catches us up with the exception of Christmas. I'll do a separate post for Christmas and include pictures later today which will bring us back up to date.

With the new year coming, I plan on making a resolution to have at least 2 posts every month, so look forward to the blog being more active....I know, I know, you've heard it before, but this time I really mean it. If I have to get Angie to ask me about it every week. She is good at reminding me of stuff!

Dublin

I have a list of places I've always wanted to go. I got the chance to spend the past 10 days in one of those places...Dublin.! We had a sales conference for work which needed extra people, and I was happy to oblige.

I was able to spend the weekend seeing the sites, like touring the Guinness Storehouse, the Temple bar area with it's Viking influence, and many of the beautiful parks Dublin has to offer.

Here are some of the beautiful sites I was able to get photos of:

Race for the Cure 2009

For the second year in a row Angie, Sidney, and I participated in the Denver Race for the Cure. Angie has a couple aunts that have been affected by breast cancer so there is a personal connection for her. Again, this year, Sid's friend Rachel came with us and this time she even brought her mom Jodi. We really had a good time doing this even if we have to get up early on a Sunday morning.

Oktoberfest

A few years back I started a tradition in our community where we hold BBQs on the major summer holidays. These have been so well received we've gotten requests for additional events throughout the year. Last year we added a Halloween Party, which we'll likely continue this year. This year we added an Oktoberfest event.

We had traditional Oktoberfest brats and everyone brought a variety of German brew to enjoy. Once again there was a great turnout and we all had a good time. Maybe this is another one we will have to keep on the schedule for next year.

Later in the day I got a call from a good friend of mine, Jon. Him and I talk fairly frequently via IM and email, but haven't gotten together for some time. In fact the last time I may have seen him may have been Angie and my wedding celebration. Anyway, we decided to meet up at a local pub to enjoy a couple beers and play some pool. It's been so long since we've done that, hopefully we won't wait so long next time.

Date With Sidney

Sidney had been having some difficult time with some of her classes in school so Angie and I helped her study for a couple tests by quizzing her and making sure she knew her stuff. Sometimes I think Sid gets overwhelmed with the changes of middle school, but as I tell her, that's part of what you're learning, how to get organized and prepared for high school and beyond. We were happy to see Sidney's efforts pay off with an A on the tests she was studying for.

In celebration, I took Sid out on a date to dinner and bowling. She of course chose one of our favorite all time places to eat, Los Dos Potrillos, where she had her usual enchiladas.

After dinner, we went to AMF Lanes to bowl a few games. I haven't bowled in so long, I think i forgot how. We ended up bowling 2 games, with each of us winning one.