Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

All the best to my friends, family, regular and random visitors. Please take a moment to think about those less fortunate (or better yet, donate something), about how you can be a better person, and remember our service personnel who cannot be with their families.

Special blessings to our friends with new children: Peter & Beth, Tricia & Rob, Collin & Kathleen, and (selfishly) me & Jess. We only have a referral but he's ours in our hearts and minds.

Shalom,

Ken

Go Right Now

Now that it's been made public...

Go see the photos of Beth and Peter's son, Jack.

http://geekhorde.blogspot.com/

If you're reading this it means you've not clicked the like to view the baby. Don't wait for the end of this post...click the link now or I will crawl through the internet tubes...reach through your hi-speed connection and redirect you to the photos personally.

And...if you've gotten this far...be sure to leave a kind word for Peter and Beth when you visit their site.

Great News

Some of our best friends had their first child yesterday (12/19). I can't reveal more until I know they've been able to alert everyone. This is not an area where I want to steal their thunder.

It's enough to say that I wish them well, with warm blessings and much love.

With luck and coordination I'll see the new family sometime this weekend.

Scrubs Christmas

Christmas Party 2003. Team Smores relaxing and mugging for the camera. 

Different Times

It's time for the annual Christmas party. Here's a scene from 2002. Many changes since then. Some good some bad. 

New Look...

Google's provided some new tools for Blogger so I'll be playing with the look and layout over the next few days...

Bear with me until I can find something I like. Would also like your opinions.

It's beginning to look...

...a lot like Christmas. 

Star Trek Tree

A few years ago...my wonderful collection of Star Trek ship ornaments was banished to a separate tree. They now orbit independent of the other ornaments. At least the Borg can't assimilate Santa Claus. 

Helpful...

No comment or explanation needed. 

Christmas Moose

This is from our tree two years ago....please note the moose. This year...Jess managed to get an actualt tree-topper so the moose were relegated to a lower position on the tree.

Also, the Star Trek ornaments no longer go on the primary tree. I have a 3-foot tree that I use for all the sci-fi ornaments. Photos soon.

Happy Thanksgiving

I'll simply repeat my message from last year:

I just want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Please take a moment to reflect on your blessings, those less fortunate, and our troops overseas.

Shalom



Now to help get into the spirit of the holidays...

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? Wrapped unless an odd shape or left in the back yard (that bike when I was 7). When I was younger he delivered them by bus from St. Louis (oddly that's where Grandma lives).

3. Multi-colored lights on tree/house or clear? Historically - multi-colored. Currently - clear.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Not so much...never had difficulty getting kisses...

5. When do you put your decorations up? Historically - first weekend in Dec. This year - weekend after Thanksgiving (cause I love my wife).

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? None - I don't have food associations with Christmas.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Driving to Kansas City from Conway, AR one year in college. The night was crystal clear, the moon was out, and there was no traffic at all. It was also the last Christmas with Mom and Dad before they separated.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Don't remember. I think it was something to do with Cub Scouts when I lived in Salt Lake City.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? No. I'm against it. The Eve is all about the anticipation. What is there to look forward to on Christmas morning...if not the gift exchange.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Ornaments, tinsel, there's a moose involved. I have a separate tree for Star Trek ornaments. My mother, ever the planner, gave me a unique ornament (or collection of ornaments) each year through college. She (and dad) did this so that when I was on my own I would be able to easily decorate a tree and have memories of family. It worked.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? I'm from upstate NY...where the Golden Snowball is awarded...so as a matter of pride (and fun)...LOVE IT.

12. Can you ice skate? Yes. Played hockey one year as a very small child.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Oxford English Dictionary from Jess; the right gift, at the right time, from the right person.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Time spent with friends and away from work.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Pumpkin pie. Pumpkin cookies.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Nothing specific...

17. What tops your tree? I mentioned the moose earlier...will take a photo of the moose and post it. It's best not to anger the moose so he stays on top.

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? I know it's not cool...but receiving.

19. What are your favorite Christmas songs? John Lennon - Happy Christmas (The War Is Over), Snoopy's Christmas (you know...the one with the Royal Guardsmen and the Red Baron), Christmas music from Dean Martin, Johnny Mathis, and Bing Crosby. Nat King Cole - The Christmas Song.

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? Yum.

So Cool

I love things like this.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15713482/

A "lost" pair of masterpieces from Renaissance master Fra Angelico found behind a door. Providence is an amazing thing.

Stories such as this give hope that there are more lost works of art or manuscripts that can (and will) be found. It's even better when things turn up and no one even knew they were missing.

Good stuff.

The Digger

 

Another view of a tree at 102 Nolan in F'ville, AR. (2002)

Sorry it's been so long between posts...busy getting ready for the adoption homestudy on Wed.
This was our first home in F'ville - Oct. 2002. Loved the trees...hated gathering the leaves. 

Yet another great...

Fayetteville weekend. Great trip. Lots of fun.

Annual John /Chris Halloween party. Voodoo on the Bayou. Nice to see some of the old Tyson folks. It was an odd mix of people who still worked for Tyson and those who were either let go or left the company. Then...add into the mix a bunch or realtors and you've got a recipe for fun. Major props to Jess for throwing together some last-minute costumes for us. We were voodoo dolls. However...I don't have photos...

It's nice getting to see the changes in Fayetteville. The corner of Joyce and College is undergoing some changes and there are a bunch of new businesses. I didn't make it to Dixon Street so I cannot comment on the construction in that area.

It was great seeing everyone. Duley and Idiz came over which was unexpected but thoroughly enjoyable and too short. Lunch with Jess' grandparents and introduced them to the baby blog. Doubt they visit but it's bookmarked on their machine. Spent the rest of Saturday with the Condrays and Hortons. Beth looks tired. It's clear that pregnancy can wear you out. Still...she was upbeat and Peter is a rock for her. Little Sophia is still adorable (not that I expect that to pass any time soon). Had some good moments with her. She's a lot of fun. And...special thanks to our wonderful hosts...Nick and Sarah.


Will try to get back up there before the end of the year but we're making no promises. Thankfully a large contingent are coming to visit in December for the annual LR Christmas Party. Even Sophia is visiting but the party still has a strict non-baby policy...at least until Jess and I have one...then all bets are off. Bring on the little ones!

Mandusa - 2004

 

Brain on a plate - 2004

 

Decorated Doggies - 2004

Emma, Vagabond, and Leon