To update you: Christmas was nice this year. My mom is not very happy where she lives, and it's not the safest for her. She spoiled us, even though she insisted it was the smallest Christmas she's ever had. I was just happy to see her. And we got to visit one of my best friends from high school a few days before Christmas. She had a baby boy in August, and it was the first I had seen him. He's a cutie, and he's huge! He was already eating baby food, and I swear he's probably already walking. We went out to dinner with my dad on Christmas eve day. There's another frustrating story. My parents drive me crazy sometimes. On Christmas day we drove down to my brother and his fiancee's house. They made a very nice dinner for us. And Matt got to play Wii for the first time. I admit, it is fun. I just don't like video games consuming vital daytime hours.

The weekend of New Year's we drove down to West Virginia (not bad, 6 hour drive through beautiful Pennsylvania). We got to see Molly and her boyfriend, Amanda, Tim, Alicia, and their son Christopher, and John B. and his wife. It was a fun weekend with lots of game, Da being the bartender as usual, and a warm cozy celebration. It was nice seeing some of the EC gang again. I hope we'll do that tradition again next year, but we'll see.

In two weeks we will be en route to Disney. Since we told Brennan we were going to Disney two days before Christmas, he has started calling here a lot more. We got him a book that describes and has pictures of the rides so he has an idea of what we'll be doing. He's checked out one of the promotional DVDs and given us a list of what he wants to do. Thanks to Tour Guide Mike, we should be able to do most of what he wants to do in 2 1/2 park days. Let's hope there are no meltdowns, and that he'll listen to us. It will be a challenge, since we both sometimes still have a hard time understanding him. He's been calling Matt almost nightly to talk to him before he goes to bed. He's such a sweetie. I love spoiling kids! I promise I will update with pictures when we get back.

This Christmas is different from all the ones that have passed. My brother is now engaged, and his fiancee is talking about holding Christmas dinner at their place. My mom moved farther away from my dad and where we used to live, so the prospect of seeing my dad's family and going to my old church doesn't seem too promising. Not to mention seeing some of my old friends. But on the other hand, we have actual money to buy people lots of nice presents. I love spending money on other people! Yesterday we paid off the Disney trip for Brennan. I made an invitation from Mickey Mouse to put on Brennan's present (WDW guide book for kids, by kids). I don't think he'll really understand the gift, but I'm excited about it anyway! The day after Thanksgiving, I wrapped all the presents, put up and decorated the tree, and decorated the house. I got my heavy duty Kitchenaid stand mixer (my Christmas present from Matt), and have made lots of baked goods, all of which have been devoured shortly after coming out of the oven. Speaking of that, I think I will go make some cookies to bring to Paul's tonight. We're going to his place to watch the Bills game. We were offered to go to the game with some friends from church on Christmas eve, but we will be out of town. Bummer for Matt! I'll try to post some pics of our festive home and baked goods if I think of it!

I woke up at 6 today so I could get a start on a pot roast for dinner tonight before leaving early for work since I knew with the snow that travel would not be fun. Well, I stepped out of the shower around 6:15 to hear my cell's voice mail chime. I knew it would be Dr. D. She called to say that the power was out at her house a mile or so from the office, and that she didn't think I should come in. If anyone actually went to the office today, she would see them. Thank goodness she called! People were stuck on the I-90 for literally hours (one man was stuck > 12 hours). There is a travel ban basically everywhere north of where I live. Since it took me an hour and a half to get home yesterday when there was only about 1 1/2 inches of heavy snow, I knew it would be crazy. Who knew what a crazy heavy lake effect storm would bring in October. I still can't get used to thundersnow though.

Anyway, so I finally got my much needed day off today. I have been relaxing, watching some tv. Of course I have to smell that lovely roast for the next 4-5 hours until my mom gets here. I got my hair cut, but really am not happy with it. I think I'll go back to my normal girl on Monday. Tonight my mom gets here, tomorrow we go to Rochester for Katie's bridal shower. And after that, I'm driving to Syracuse to see some of my EC buds! Now if only it would get over 40 degrees here, things couldn't get any better!