And so it begins...

We've waited a long time for this. I know it won't be easy, but I feel much more confident about the future with Barack Obama as our president.

I think the photo below is my favorite one of the day.

Adios!

Two front teeth

...are now missing and Casey has a serious lisp.

We're having trouble anticipating these last-minute visits from the Tooth Fairy.

Our little vampire.

Another tooth gone

Casey lost the first of his two front teeth tonight. I actually had to help pull this one out because it was bleeding and barely attached. Whee!

I hope the Tooth Fairy still makes house calls on super cold nights!

His missing top and bottom teeth line up perfectly.

American Idol

Just some random thoughts on tonight's show:

• I like the new judge. I wasn't sure four judges would work, but Kara knows the business (and can sing) and she's a lot more coherent than Paula.
• Glad they kept the crazies to a minimum.
  
• Loved the girl in the bikini. Finally someone with a gimmick that can sing--and that isn't scary.
  
• I liked the blind guy who was the last one to audition tonight. He can sing and I think his story will be interesting to follow. I wonder if they'll pay for a friend to accompany him to Hollywood.
• Did you notice the "Haysville 2 Hollywood" sign in the crowd in the scenes from the auditions in Kansas City?

Can't wait to read Phil Stacey's blog on Kansas.com.

New book

I'm reading the American Patriot's Almanac by William Bennett. It's basically a mini daily history lesson. It tells you what happened in history on each day.

I have to say I don't remember much from my high school history classes, so this has really been a refresher course.

My new iPhone

As a surprise, Dan bought us both iPhones. I've been wanting one for a long time--well since all our friends have had one.

I spent most of the night searching for free applications to download and found some really cool ones. I can't wait until I get the hang of this thing!

Wii games

As I said, it's been a Wii Christmas. I just wanted to share two of the new games we've gotten that any of you Wii devotees should really try.





One is Raving Rabbids TV Party. We kind of happened upon this one by accident. We saw a sale at Toys R Us and we had to pick two games, so we took a chance on this one.

If you've seen the commercials, this is the one that you can use the Wii Fit board and slide down a ski slope on your bottom.

Needless to say, this one is a blast. It has tons of games that really get you moving: dancing, playing instruments, and driving among others. They boys love it.






The other one is Monopoly. Jeff and Kathryn brought this one over the other night.

I was a little skeptical at first, playing a board game on Wii. But this one really delivers. There are several different theme boards to choose from: traditional, world, future, cheese, candy and jungle. There are also fun mini games too. It's a lot of fun.

Christmas, part 45

Jeff, Kathryn and Lauryn came over on New Year's Day to exchange Christmas presents. We also made a game night of it, testing out each other's Wii games.

Lauryn helping Jeff open his gift.

(Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? for Wii)



Lauryn opening her gift.
(A Hannah Montana sleep sack, pillow, sleeping mask and hamper)



Lauryn's still not sure about the mask.




I got Kathryn a gift certificate
for a pedicure.



Jeff bought Dan an electronic dartboard
with an old fashioned baseball game on it.




Kathryn gave me a new watch and a
gift certificate to Accessory City.



Brett and Casey got these cool
DS racers. The remote control is the DS.

New Year's Eve

We spent New Year's Eve with our friends, the Dillons, the Averys and the Donaldsons. We love these parties because the adults can have a good time, the kids play together, we don't have to get babysitters and we can walk to the party.

At one point, we broke out "Rock Band" for Wii, which is always a blast at a party. The kids and the adults both got a turn.

Dan on drums.



Don sang.



Carson on guitar.



Mike on drums and Don on guitar.



Suzanne and Caleb playing the drums.



Casey and Tanner rocking out.

Then we moved to the more "adult" activities...drinking!

The bar.



Dan and Mike doing Dr. Pepper shots.



Me.
(No, I didn't drink the whole thing.)



Bottom's up.



Janette "tasting" a drink Mike made.



Me and my honey....and Mike.

Jack Stack Barbecue

While we were in Kansas City, we decided to opt out on a third dinner of ham, and instead took Nana and Papa to Jack Stack Barbecue, one of the best barbecue places in town.

Casey, as you may know, is quite the "foodie," and he had been telling Dan that he thought he might like to try ribs, so we thought we'd take him to have some of the best.

He wasn't disappointed--especially when he saw on the menu that some of the ribs were dinosaur-size!

Casey and his first rib experience.



My dinner.
The beans are awesome!



Brett wasn't as much of a fan.
He prefers to eat his meat with a fork.



Dan.
What can I say?

Kansas City Christmas

The day after Christmas, we packed up the kids and the dog and headed to see Dan's family. It was a real family weekend since his brother and sister-in-law and our three nieces joined us.

The kids got to open even more presents, and it turned out to be a Wii Christmas.

Brett and Casey with our nieces Sophie and Lily.



Casey loved his new Star Wars dictionary
from Uncle Mike.



Nana Harla opening her gift:
an assortment of wine.



Brett helping Papa Frank unwrap
his new griddle.



Brett and Casey opening video
games from Nana and Papa.

After opening our gifts, we lit the Hanukah menorah. For those of you who don't know, Dan's mom's side is Jewish and he and his brother were raised celebrating both the Jewish and Christian holidays. When the grandkids were born, the tradition continued.

Nana Harla lighting the menorah.



Our niece Maggie lighting a candle.



Brett and Casey's turn.



The menorah ablaze.