Welcome 2009

Wow, time sure flies when you don't take time outs. It's been almost two months since my last post but here i am. Have plenty of pictures to share.

Since last time, we celebrated Christmas. Well, at least this family celebrated Christmas. We didn't go to visit family, we had a quiet event. We went to IHOP for pancakes on Christmas morning and enjoyed our day together.

Same for New Years. Around here fireworks were banned because of the dry and hot weather. Some people bitched about it but when it comes down to it, the safety of the community is more important. They still had the celebration downtown and we watched it at home where it was nice and warm.

We finally went to the valley this past weekend. I had some presents to unload and receive. Susan gave me this keepsake box, perfect for earrings and stuff:

Mary gave me a t-shirt and a totally cool wall plaque:

Mom of course gave me a new set of towels for the restroom and a pocket calendar:

Friday the 9th was David's 19th birthday. I kinda figured they'd have some kind of celebration that's why i wanted to go that weekend so that i won't have to go the weekend of the 31st (my bday). Sunday at lunchtime susan made a brisket lunch with potatoe salad and borracho beans. we had a tres leches cake and all the sodas we could drink. not that much because we had a road trip coming up, so as soon as we had lunch we left. Big guy, huh? Barely 19.

Finally took down the decorations and the tree. Put up some valentine's decorations too. The weekend of the 10th we finally made it to the Japanese tea garden downtown. It was a nice weekend, temps in the 70's and we wanted to get out there and do some walking. Place was nice, it's free to the public and very accessible. It's a small park with birds, fish, waterfalls and plenty of opportunities for a kodak moment or two.

So it's been a busy time. Between the traveling and the scrambling to finish my assignment for the month it's been hectic. Now that the not so busy time of the year is here maybe i can catch my breath for a moment or two before the easter holiday is here. We don't have any days off at working until then but i took the last week of january off. For the first time in ages i'll be taking a whole week off. Use that time wisely, my grasshopper. :)