Christmas in the East

Missy tells me I should make a pre-New Years resolution and write a Christmas blog entry before the clock ticks midnight. Since we're heading out the door to Mezza Madness at Lebanese Taverna in less than ten minutes, here goes. We spent Christmas with my family this year in Mount Vernon, Ohio. Since I took the Thanksgiving week off work to travel to Idaho this year, I got stuck with the Christmas shift this year. So, we left the Wednesday before Christmas to make the 7-hour drive west across I-68, by far my favorite national highway. My parents packed an action pack 5 days for us, including a trip to the Longaberger basket factory (where Missy won a free basket and we both tried our hand at crafting our own), to Malabar Farms -- the home of famous author Louis Bromfield and the wedding site of Humphrey Bogart to his third wife, Lauren Baccall. One evening we traveled up the dark country road to Nashville, OH to take in the most auspicious house lights you can possibly imagine (signs of snoopy and Bart Simpson put most of us over the edge), ending with a drive-by live Nativity scene. The weather unfortunately was mostly grey and wet -- the snow seems to have located itself all in Denver this year. On Saturday, we visited some old college friends of mine, Jason and Erin Moorman (and daughter Grace, a loquacious 3 year old, especially with Missy), and Chris and Buffy Fleece and kids. Missy also attended her first Christmas Eve candlelight service. Christmas day was filled with turkey, gift-opening hilarity, and the traditional viewing of the classic film, Independence Day. Much more to say, but it'll have to wait until 2007. Happy New Year!

Christmas at the Concert Hall

Enjoying the Nutcracker, Washington Style
Originally uploaded by jmsmall2005.

We got dressed up last week to take in a little Christmas in Washington, theatre-style. On Sunday night we went to see "The Nutcracker" at the Warner Theatre downtown (Jason's first ballet experience!). The Washington Ballet Company put a twist on the seasonal favorite by turning the characters into familiar figures from American history--the Nutcracker was George Washington, the Rat King was George III, and the dances included wilderness men and Anacostia Indians. It was a fun twist and we both had a great time.

On our way home we drove past the White House and decided to stop by to see the tree. There were lots of little toy trains running around the tree, and we traipsed (dress shoes and all!) around the Ellipse checking out all the state decorations and the manger scene.

The next day we threw on our fancy clothes again and headed to the Kennedy Center. The Choral Arts Society of Washington, in which one of Jason's colleagues sings, was doing it's annual Christmas concert. We went for the first time last year and really enjoyed it, so this year we made a repeat appearance. For me, it is still a little close to Crusader Choir memories... (or is that 'Sader Choir now?)

Okay, that's enough of pictures of Missy and Jason for now...

Major Tragedy Overted

Wow. Last night we somehow lost all the pictures on our memory card--to the tune of about 300. This included a ton of Christmas pics from the last week that we had not had a chance to download yet. Luckily, my husband is a computer genius and managed to slowly recover almost all. Phew!

Gingerbread Construction

A Finished House!
Originally uploaded by jmsmall2005.

Jason and I were wary when the invitation to the Crossons' annual gingerbread house building party popped up on email. We both remembered all too clearly last year's party, how our house refused to stay standing; how, after the third collapse, Jason was either fired from the construction crew or threw up his hands and quit; how we weren't quite sure our brand-new marriage could withstand the storms of gingerbread construction. But last weekend we threw all caution to the wind and said, yes, we and our questionable cooperation skills would love to come!

And...success! Part pre-party internet research, part overt politeness to each other, part really good chili provided by Mrs. Crosson to keep us patient, we managed to stand up this nice little gingerbread home. And eat lots of marshmallows and M&Ms while we did so.

(Note: It is possible that our success was in part also due to proper delegation of tasks--Missy made the house and Jason took the pictures.)

We finished off our weekend by throwing our first Christmas party--mostly work colleagues and a few other dear friends. It was great fun, and we now know we can fit about 40 people semi-comfortably into our place. Let the partying begin... ?

Christmas Tree Hunting

Timber!
Originally uploaded by jmsmall2005.

We went crazy this year and decided to get in touch with nature instead of just finding a tree at the local Home Depot. To our delight (and, it must be confessed, surprise), we had a wonderful time "tree hunting" and came home with a perfect little tree to decorate with lights and things. We also felt pretty pleased with ourselves at being able to get it in and up without a) displacing most of the furniture, b) tainting everything we own with sap, and c) failing to get it into the stand multiple times.

Our house is feeling pretty Christmassy now, and I actually ALMOST have all the gifts wrapped and under the tree (I'll try to get "Our Home at Christmas" pictures up in a day or so). I really have no excuse, as I have only had two days of work in two weeks. It is really remarkable how little one gets done when one is home all day. And it is really remarkable how relieved one is when one's husband gets home in the evening...

Cole-dorable

Cole-dorable
Originally uploaded by jmsmall2005.

I'm sorry, but this is too cute for words. It's like having a really sweet doll. That laughs. And cries. And poops (at which time he can be given back to his mother).

We went out to dinner tonight. When we left the house it was 72 degress outside and I carried my jacket. We got home about 20 minutes ago and it is now 55. Apparently the weather realizes that we cannot go get our Christmas tree tomorrow wearing shorts. I appreciate its sympathy.