Christmas Cheer or Christmas Scrooge?

The holidays are supposed to be a time of cheer and fun and joy. It is just me, or does it seem like the holidays can bring out the worst in some people? All the stress of trying to have the perfectly decorated house and finding the right gifts seem to make people go batty.

How would this time of year be different if homes were not decorated in winter attire? What if gifts were given for fun at all different times of the year (not just once or twice)? What if we had family/friend get-togethers whenever we wanted throughout the year? How would things be different then.

Christmas Break So Far...

...has been great!

We arrived at the in-law's with no problem. My sister-in-law also has some friends over from Japan that have been really fun. I have learned a lot of Japanese so far and I guess I have good pronunciation. Who knew?

Yesterday we went to see a hockey game: the Sacramento Kings vs. the Stockton Vikings. The Vikings one. Here are some highlights from the game:

Thunder vs. Kings from fergie on Vimeo.

Today Kyle, our new friends from Japan, Kyle's dad, and I went to Yosemite. It was really snowy. I guess I really like the snow when it is not mine.

Here are some pictures from the last few days:



Click here to look at the pictures individually.

Tomorrow we are going to San Francisco and then whale watching on a boat in Monterrey. I am scared of whale watching, but I guess I have to do it at least once in my life.

Time is Running Out!

Time is running out--in case you haven't noticed.

How many days left until Christmas? Uh...I can't remember, but I have not done any of my shopping. My OCD usually has me shopping in October, but my apathy defeated my OCD.

I also have a birthday gift to think about.

Got any gift ideas for men? Do share.

Christmas!

...is still here! Today is the third day of Christmas and everyone gets 3 French hens. Epiphany comes soon.

Christmas day was a lot of fun. Everyone got really nice gifts--and a lot of them. Some of my favorites include a new Pocket Dragon, Thai silks, and pearls. I also got a new toy bear, make up, chocolate, etc. Kyle got some cool books and a really handy lap desk. I also got a book about how to knit different patterns that doesn't have the pattern written out. Instead, there are pictures you can see. This is very helpful to me because I don't understand written patterns at all. If I can see the project, I can do it.

We all went shoe shopping yesterday. Well, all the girls did. I got a couple pairs of shoes that are really nice and comfortable thanks to my mom.

Unfortunately, Kyle fell ill so our shopping trip was cut short. He has the flu and has been in bed for about 20 hours.

We might go out shopping again today and buy some things to make tamales. If we do make tamales, it will be tomorrow. Costa Rican tamales are different than Mexican ones: they use banana leaves instead of corn husks, they are not spicy (Mexican ones aren't always spicy), and there is a lot more in the filling. The filling usually has a type of meat, potato, rice, green pepper, and basically whatever else you want. Some people put olives or raisins, but I think that's nasty.