Merry (early) Christmas

Tonight we celebrated Christmas with Wade's parents. We are skipping Christmas this year and heading to Mexico on the 25th. So, instead of robbing Amelia of her precious memories (she won't remember) of her first Christmas, we had a little celebration tonight. We ate tamales and chili rellenos in honor of our coming adventure. We also shared gifts. It was so fun to watch Amelia tear through the wrapping paper and play with the new toys/books she got. She fought going to bed hard and almost won the battle, but tomorrow we have an early morning and mom needs the night to get ready to travel with a 10 month old.
Wade also gave Amelia an early gift that I have to share. He found it on a blog that he follows and it came with raving reviews. It is a baby bag/backpack that also can hold the baby!! It will be perfect for traveling and getting on and off the plane with our carry-on included. Check it out!

Christmas Cards

One of the top three best things about the holiday season is getting Christmas cards. I love the anticipation of the walk to the mailbox hoping I have a new card to open. I love getting cards from friends and family that I don't see much and seeing how they have grown/change. I love collecting the cards and hanging them on our wall so every time I walk by I feel popular. It is amazing how something so little can make me feel so loved (and cool).

This year our card is going to come a little late. Please don't wait to send me yours because you are waiting for ours. It will be taken during Christmas (Feliz Navidad), but sent once we are back. In the meantime, keep them coming. My self-esteem is riding on it.

Chain of Gain

Chain of Gain

In some cultures (WSU for example), on your 21^st birthday you wear a necklace full of airplane shots called the Chain of Pain. During the hours leading to your official birthday of midnight when you can legally enter a bar, you drink these shots in preparation for the next chapter of your life.

I believe that when you turn 30 a new chapter starts as well. This has led me into the creation of the Chain of Gain. However, instead of airplane shots attached, it is items that you will need once you enter this new threshold of life.

Energy Shot: I don’t know if it is a lack of energy because you get older and your body uses more fuel, or if it is because of the sleepless nights due to the stresses/responsibilities age brings. Whether it is coffee, Red Bull, energy shots or even sparks, I find that energy boosters are past being used to pull an “all nighter” but needed just to function!

Tylenol (Muscle Aches and Pain): With age our bodies can’t seem to repair themselves the way they did when we were younger. After 30 you may find that our knees become shot, we start to get headaches from staring at a computer ALL day and our back and neck starts giving out a little more often.

Hot Patch: For when you try to play the way you once did but forgot to build up to it.

ColorEazy: To keep that youthful appearance, coloring your hair will help fight the signs of age (grays) and give you that luster we all crave and envy of people under a certain age.

Corn Cushions: Not being able to wear tennis shoes all day and having to dress those feet a little more professionally, may lead to the development of corns or calluses. But hey, we want to look good don’t we??

Eyeglass Repair Kit: We all know it…our eyes get worse as we get older. Our days with 20/20 vision are numbers. In come the cheaters, contacts and sunglasses to help us keep the vision we have grown to love. And, with the coming of glasses, come the breaking of glasses. It is always handy to keep a repair kit (or 2-3) on hand for these emergencies.

Warm Touch Jelly: I really don’t have to say it, because we all know it…sometimes with age you start to need a little help in certain areas.

Pregnancy Test: At the age of 21 one of these tests would most likely FREAK you out! Now, they have a whole new meaning. I personally think this has been one of the BEST things about getting older; you get to have a family and know you are ready.

Happy "Dirty" 30 Josh. You know how to make getting old look good!

Traditions

What I like about the holiday season are the traditions that are part of it. What I love about this holiday season, is that I get to share old traditions with my little family, but also start some new ones

The Wreath Making Party on Camano:

The first year I heard about this event I invited myself. I am happy to say, I have been invited back ever since. It is a great time to enjoy the Gilbertson property, make a wreath and have a good time with friends.

Cutting down a Christmas Tree:

This tradition started when Wade and I lived in Yakima. A co-worker of his gave him a permit to cut a tree down in the woods. While we still cut down our own tree, we save it for the tree farms. A little easier to find the perfect one. Amelia was a little unsure what we were doing outside in the cold.

Santa: This tradition has been around for a while, but disappeared for a couple years. It is now back and better then ever. Amelia and Santa were fast friends and she was a true ham for the camera. Jingle Bell Dash: This is the 4th year Wade and I have participated in the Bellingham Jingle Bell Dash for Arthritis. This was Amelia's first (unless you count last year when I was 7 months pregnant). It is a fun race to run (4 miles) and I added another shirt to my collection. Amelia survived the cold and I think she had fun. However, I think she liked going out for breakfast after and eating a teddy bear pancake.