I took Kevin's Dad, Louis', picture tonight. Louis is the Grand Dude for the Knights of Columbus here in town, and he needed a pic for the Grand Hallway.... I think it turned out pretty good. 

Kevin and his dad... yeah Kevin wasn't dressed for a picture, but I thought Louis would get a kick out getting a picture of him, his son, and the American Flag, two things he loves very much :) 

Merry Christmas!!!! YAY for Jesus!

The past two days have been great. Yesterday, Kevin and I went over to his parents house for dinner. It was nice... I'm usually not that patient with them, the three of them (Kevin included) interrupt eachother constantly, and continue talking so most of the dinner there is like 10 conversations going on at a time. And there's only four of us in the room! Kevin's parents are natorious for giving lame gifts. They give the silliest things to people! For instance last years gifts, like out of date calendars, bright blue mittens (that actually are HUGE and look like oven mits) to match my pink coat. They seem to think we need to have a coin collection and every occation that involves getting a gift, we get coins. Nothing that is worth anything really, like Canadian 2.00 coins... Kevin had recieved large G.I. Joe dolls (12") for three years in a row. They give us things that we SHOULD want if we were 40 years old and in 1957. Hand-me-down knick knacks from her Antique store...

Anyway I could go on... but the point is that this year they got me really cool stuff. Gift card for new clothes, necklace and earings, mother of pearl jewlery box, and they even got FuzzyButt toys. Kevin and I got a down-filled comforter. Kevin was kind of disappointed with his gift, but they gave him cash for a new winter coat too. I think they're catching on.

I totally realize that Christmas isn't about the gifts, but its always been so funny the things we get from them. Most of the stuff I've gotten from them, I haven't even taken out of the gift bag, they're in storage and have just stayed wrapped up throughout our 2 moves.

Tonight we're going to my parents house for dinner and gifts.

The pics below are hilarious... okay to me anyway. Since we don't have a kid, and in a few short hours, all of you will be posting your kids opening their presents and what not, we had our small family Christmas last night with Mr. Pie... so that is who we have pics of... hope you enjoy.
Merry Christmas everyone, hope you all got to feel warm, happy and fuzzy inside this weekend!

Kevin opening the gift card to buy his new leather wallet... you know, cause I washed the old one... ooops 

yay! HOOTERS WING SAUCE!! WOO HOO! 

"whatya got there? Is that milk... um.. can I have some? Please... its Christmas.... please... Cause you know, I do enjoy milk... and you have milk... so if you could give me some...that would be alright... you really can't finish it all anyway, right.... cause you know,... GIVE ME THE MILK!!! 

yup, this is good stuff... I love it... mmmm... milk... yummy.... creamy and mmmm... sooo good... 

OMG! MILK!! YUMMY MIILK!!! I LIVE FOR MILK!!! 

Yummy, that was tasty 

WHAT! *Gasp* You can't take that away!!! I wasn't done with the milk! BRING IT BACK!! 

Well, I stick my tounge out at you!  

MY BALLS! 

The catnip mouse is his FAVORITE! Look at him go! (sorry for the anal shot, but thats what he does when he gets excited, his butt sticks up in the air... hence, FUZZYBUTT! 

so many balls to choose from!  

The government can bite me

Our friend Butto (Jason) works full time National Guard. He works security at the front gate of Camp Grafton near Devils Lake. He's been in the NG for almost 10 years (since his Junior year of HS) He's worked security for almost 3 years. He has seniority over all the other security guys except for his boss. Well they pulled him aside today to let him know that because of a budget cut, he is being "let go". Him and 4 other guys are being layed off. How much does THAT suck?!

So because security isn't, obviously, important to the government, Butto's last day on the job is December 31st. How awful to be let go less than a week before Christmas! Also, he just spent money on Christmas presents. Plus, with the NG, he didn't have to pay a single DIME for full health insurance, now he goes from full coverage to zip. Damn military. The only reason that he was one of the 5 is because he missed two drill days (to work his JOB at the front gate) and they knew that. It isn't like he skipped out to party or anything. Butto loved that job, and he was really good at it. He loves being in the military, he actually said that the only reason he isn't just quitting the Guard all together is because of "love for his country and loyalty to his government" blah... if I were him I'd be done with the military as soon as my contracted time was up. No, he'll prolly sign on for another 4 years even after they unrightfully canned his ass. Butto is that LAST person they should have fired. He really cares for his job, and he works long 12 hour days, and doesn't bitch about it. Poor guy.

The only good thing is that the only thing keeping him in DL was that job. He was getting paid VERY VERY well. Now, he said he's willing to try Grand Forks or something. Maybe IF IF IF we move, he'll come too. Anyway, I feel really bad for the guy, he did NOT deserve this. Stupid government, they don't know what they're doing.

Playing with my star filter, here is my little Christmas window scene.  

Chrstmas Candle 

The lights in my window 

Another email from my parents...

I thought this was pretty neat, I've never seen it before, here ya go::

Can you read this?

Olny srmat poelpe can.

cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The
phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde
Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the
olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit
pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a
porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by
istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot
slpeling was ipmorantt!

if you can raed tihs psas it on !!

Today, I finished wrapping presents and addressing cards and such. I only have a couple people left on my list, and I know what I want to get them, I just have to wait for tomorrow when the stores open again. I fell in love with the fancy ribbon. It adds pizzaz to the gifts I think.

Ive been camped out in front of the TV wrapping and addressing and watching
Law and Order: SVU MARITHON! Thats right, all day law and order... I'm in heaven.

I have another Christmas rant: Salvation Army bell ringers. They seem to have lost their "umf" I mean they used to be all dressed up wearing a santa hat, and of course that red vest. I saw a kid about 12 (I'm sure doing community service or something) and he was sitting there staring off into the distance not ringing the bell in his hand. The other day I walked into Walmart and the guy didn't have his vest on, and he was leaning against the wall and kicking the floor in bordom. I know its volunteer stuff, but come on, I'm more willing to donate to someone ringing a bell, wearing a red vest thing, and saying "MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!" I went into the mall in GF and there was a group of girls slumped around the big pot thing and gossiping about some guy named Connor and a girl named Taylor. No greeting, I even dropped some money in, no thank you. Where do they get these kids? Is it bonus point for English class?

Anyway, Kevin left Explorer page open. SO now I know my present. Now it is no longer a surprise. I know its my present because its on the confirm order page quantity 1. So smart.... but no common sense. I don't think he gets this present shopping thing very well. Thats okay, its the thought that counts anyway.

I can't believe that Janelle is ready to pop soon! 3 weeks right? wow... I can't wait, I hope its a boy. I think Cassie needs a nosey annoying brother to keep her in line.

Isn't it just beautiful! hmmm... I bet your wondering who gets the BIG box... well heres a clue.. its for one of my loyal blog readers... 

Hahahahaha... now you just have to wait, and wait and wonder "whats in the box?!!" 

This just in: Harry Potter does NOT suck, as stated in my previous post.

I haven't seen any of the Harry Potters, therefore my statement before about it being stupid has been retrackted (yeah butchered that spelling) As brought to my attention by my buddy Amanda, I have nothing to base this opinion on...

Amanda has promised that we'll watch the first three HPs and then I will be in love with the movie.

There ya go Amanda, I told you I'd take it back...

RENT

No, I haven't seen it. Broadway or otherwise... but I want to. But you know in a town that only have one movie theater... I'm not going to, I'm gonna have to wait until it comes out on DVD. The three movies playing in the theater now are "Chronicals of Narnia" (I laugh every time I say Narnia, cause its a funny word) "Harry Potter: Gayest Movie Ever" and "Yours, Mine, and Ours" So if you're a kid, then you have three movies to pick from, if you're an adult, you just plain suck.

So theres my rant. I want to see RENT the movie. Unless I want to drive 100 miles, I'm screwed. But I guess if Butto can drive that far to find an XBox360.... (no he didn't even get one) I guess I can drive that far to spend 9 bucks to see a movie.

Because Karissa's life depends on it.... I post.

The past week has been very busy. Work has been VERY busy. I've worked on stuff at home and went back to work and put in some more hours. We went to Grand Forks today, so I felt guilty for leaving Pete during such a busy time for the store, but you do what ya gotta do and I'll just have to kick it up a notch tomorrow.

We left this morning, and the roads were bad, but like true North Dakotans, we traveled in the "no travel advisory"... I mean if it was too bad they'd close the highway... right? So the road was icy and snow covered, visablity was less than a mile... heck it was less than a car length away and there were drifts... but we were determained. We got to GF in once piece, and Kevin went to his 2 hour meet and greet with Altru's head PT people. I went Christmas shopping for him and kept myself busy while he was kissin' butt and being the charmer he is.

Well, all the charming paid off. They liked him... there will be a lot more discussionsbetween them, that is all I'm going to say. Seriously, all I'm gonna say, so back off, no questions please.

Oh and here's a funny story. Kevin was like "I want to get you your present, but I can't because your with me" so we agreed that he would run in, get it and call me so I could close my eyes as he put it into the car. (I know big dorks) so I see him coming out without a gift "I have to pull up to the doors" We pull up, and I close my eyes. Next thing I hear is Kevin banging around the back seat, grunting and sounding frustrated. "It won't fit" "what do you mean it won't fit, what the hell did you get me?!" I turn around and see him trying to shove this 8 foot long box into the back seat. His car is like 2 feet too short. "How the hell did you think you were going to hide this from me, its huge, and it is sitting 2 inches from my seat?!" He said "I don't know, I didn't think that far in advance" yup, and hes a doctor.

So needless to say, he had to take the box back into the store and return it. I laughed the whole time. He felt bad because he was unable to get my gift before Christmas, but I think watching him try to shove that box into the car and expect that I would't look at this enormous monstrosity pushing against my seat is enough of a gift... the gift of comedy.


The drive home was more scary, but we made it. We went over to Buttos and started on the third season of "Scrubs" my favorite show of all time now! Plus my favorite actor from Law and Order SVU was on an episode, as was "Ricco" from Six Feet Under, and I just love the show more now.

I got some of my Christmas presents wrapped and I'm washing some CLOTHES (with a 'e') for those of my buds that can't spell clothes... I love you, I really do... and I know I spell really bad, but anyway...

Kevin doped himself up on Nyquil and went to bed early, hes getting sick... ew.

Why do I like "Boyfriend" by Ashlee Simpson? WHY GOD WHY!!!

I burnt the roof of my mouth (right in front in between my two front teeth) and it is swollen and red and very sore, and it is making it feel like my teeth are shifting. Stupid apple cider. I don't even like apple cider all that much, why did I drink it! WHY GOD WHY!?

Heres another rant: Why do we have to all of a sudden be PC about CHRISTmas?! They are having discussions in stores on whether or not they should say "merry christmas" or "happy holidays" or "Have a good Winter Celebration" WINTER CELEBRATION (again with the Caps) Seriously. Its okay people, Jesus was born (whether you believe he was the son of God or not) and Christmas is a celebration of his birth, you can't change history, it is okay to say Merry Chistmas.

It also get to me when people say "Merry Freakin' Christmas" If you don't like Christmas, fine, don't join in the festivities, but don't expect anything like good wishes and the such from me.

Anyway, thats about enough for me, I gotta get to bed. NIGHTY NIGHT!

snow, ice, rain.... repeat...

The weather this weekend was very icky. Kevin and I went to GF friday with the plans of coming home Saturday evening. It was really icy and wet and there was no travel advised so we stayed in Grand forks another night. We didn't go to that auction because when we looked on the internet, the dude's stuff looked like crap. It was old and I found out that this is the second auction on his estate, so all the good stuff was probably already gone. Instead, we went to Crookston with Doug and Karissa, just for a little drive and what not. Isabella was very good all day! Except for maybe the part where we stopped at a restaraunt and she NEEDED to play with her water cup. Then when it got dark last night and Amber called to tell us she was driving back to DL and that the roads were so bad she was only going 30 mph on the highway, we decided to stay and not die trying to get home.

Blake came along with us and we went to "Christmas in the Park" where businesses set up light displays and you drive slow and look at them. It was neat. The last one was from a church and it had Santa knelt down beside Baby Jesus in the manger and it said "all shall kneel.... something something something I can't remember...." but the point was clear, even though the Santa totally looked real, and that display gave me the creeps.

But we made it home today and the roads were still pretty bad, but at least it wasn't dark. Luckily I feel pretty confident in Kevin's winter driving ablilities. We made it in time for Adele's babtism. She was a little turkey. She was well behaved through church, but then got cranky.... who wouldn't when a strange man in a white robe pours cold water on your head? I'd be scared too. But now we are the proud Godparents to one very catholic, very pure little angel.

Amber has pictures...my camera died... so look on her blog in the next couple days I guess and you can see action shots of the babtism thang.

Tonight I'm going to work and making buttons. But first, dinner with Janelle and Darren! That will be a nice quiet change for our very busy weekend.

This is what it looked like driving back from Grand Forks today. It is in black and white because it was WAY too bright and you couldn't make out anything....  

Isabella is ready for an afternoon of driving.  

Daddy must have told a really bad joke again... Here, she is hanging her head in shame... "He is NOT my daddy" 

HA HA HA HA HA!!!! Auntie April is SOOO funny, she always tells the best jokes! 

Bell Bell getting sleepy... I think its cute when she rubs her eyes. 

Long day for Bell Bell... ZZZzzzzz 

Daddy was pretty sleepy too.... ahh... isn't that cute!