One of these doesn't belong

Note to reader: Dialog fabricated.  Skull real.

Casting Call

Jeff- Here

On Christmas Eve this year we got to participate in my brother's family tradition of acting out the Christmas story from Luke 2.  Elise, their 4 year-old, did the casting.  Angela got to be Mary, and I, the great thespian that I am, was casted as the lowly donkey.  If Elle had known the bible word for donkey, I might have taken this role as an insult.  But I assume that I was casted as this beast of burden because of my large, beast-like shoulders, and massively ripped arms.  Clearly I was the only one strong enough to support my wife- pregnant with plastic baby.

It was fun getting dressed up in robes and blankets and acting out the Christmas story.

The play ended with a coup against the casting, when Elle's younger brother, Travis, decided that he would be a much better baby Jesus then the plastic doll origianlly casted in the roll, pulled the baby out of the cradle and climbed in himself.

We had several unconventional animals show up to our manger, including a white Manitee.

Over the break we enjoyed trying out our new games Ticket to Ride and Scotland Yard.  Obviously in the above picture mom is devastated by a move Amy just made.

Dad was the all-time winner of Scotland Yard, evading the police for 24 moves.  Dad liked the game so much we even suckered him into wearing the Mr. X hat.

100th Post

For the last few weeks Jeff has been taking charge of writing the blog, and a few weeks ago he realized that our 100th post was coming up. Well, that is something to be acknowledged.

To celebrate 100 posts I would like to award the best blog post.

How to determine the best blog? By comments. Our most popular post was August 8, 2008 "2 More Interviews" Highlighting Jeff's invitation to interview at Baylor. With 6 comments (6? how sad) it beat out the blog post announcing that Jeff got into Baylor- which surprised me to be honest. It also beat all our other posts. Wow. I need to write more exciting posts.

My personal favorite was Craft sickness Just because I like my little cupcakes. (The little guy on the left got to be a on a Christmas tree this year!!)

Jeff's favorite was Unpacking. Mostly due to the picture of our makeshift couch. He says, It reminds me that some of life's best memories are made when things are the hardest. (Even searching for half a bar of unsecured internet because AT&T forgets to write your apartment number on the package-- twice, unable to walk around because of all the boxes, and with no food in the refrigerator!! my wife still makes me laugh)

Yea! 100 posts of memories. Thanks everyone for reading our silly blog, and especially to those of you who make comments.

Merry Christmas!

We had a very nice Christmas. Here is our little Christmas tree that we bought 3 years ago. I love that it is only 3 feet tall. I love that it represents 3 years of Christmases together. And I love that it is prelit. I have no patience when it comes to putting lights on trees.

Santa brought us lots of Stephen's hot chocolate (something you can't find in Texas, thankfully Santa shopped mostly online this year)

Jeff spoiled me with pretty new shoes for work. If you look in the background you can see Gilmore Girls seasons six and seven, the book House Works, and a gorgeous white stoneware teapot- for hot chocolate of course! Yes, my husband loves me very much.

(The Scrabble tiles are part of the puzzles I had to figure out to open my presents.... It's a Hamaker-thing)

I surpised Jeff with the board game Scotland Yard

I think he liked it

Oooo! Pretty new purse! I LOVE big purses! (doesn't it go great with those red PJs?)

I gave Jeff a LOT of candy bars. He likes to eat them at school- anything to help him stay awake during lecture!

After opening presents at our house, we drove up to Kingwood and spent Christmas day with Jeff's family. Luckily they were still opening presents when we arrived. We played games, ate yummy food, played with our neice and nephew, and had a great time! And for those wondering, it still felt like Christmas even though there was no snow!

Painting: Part Two

Yea! We finished painting, and it turned out great! I am in love with this beautiful shade of teal, especially how it looks in contrast with the white coverlette and drapes. It makes me happy.

Did you notice the dresser? We found a nice dresser and a matching nightstand for our bedroom this week! Jeff is excited that he doesn't have to go to the study to get dressed in the morning anymore, and I am excited to have more space in the study with the old dresser gone. (For the record, I liked Jeff's old dresser, it was just too large to fit in our bedroom- it was a BIG dresser... or "chest of drawers" as Jeff tells me is the correct term, who knew?).

We had a very productive week! Watch for upcoming posts on Christmas, New Years Party, and our "100th Post" celebration!