Ahhh...it's over.

We had a great holiday...but don't you kind of love that it is all over for another 11 months?

I am glad the hoopla is over, but I am NOT ready for school to start back on Tuesday. Uggh. That means a schedule and I love NOT having a schedule.

We had a sweet, quiet Christmas day. It was just hubs, blonde rascal, MIL and I. MIL spent the night Christmas Eve so she could be present for the early morning Santa frenzy. We told blonde rascal there would be no getting out of bed until sun up Christmas morning. He made it to about 6:30 which was acceptable. It was an enjoyable relaxing day.

On the 26th pesky brother-in-law Mark & family got into town and we celebrated with them. On the 27th blonde rascal and I drove to Houston (10 hours for pete's sake) to celebrate with my family. It was like a never ending opening of gifts! Have mercy.

On the 29th we all drove to Galveston to stuff ourselves with some de-lish seafood and see how the island looked after hurricane Ike. While we were there my sweet Mom stumbled on a curb and fell. Thankfully it was nothing too serious. However her arm was in pain and she was a little panicked. She struggles with anxiety so the fall was frightening for her. EMS came and determined she did need medical attention for her arm...but the hospital in Galveston was still closed from hurricane damage. There were no bones sticking out or blood, thank goodness, but she was in pain and combined with her anxiety, EMS decided that instead of a 50 mile ambulance or car ride back to Houston that they would call the helicopter! No kidding!

After a lot of excitement with the helicopter and a long night in the ER, they discovered 2 cracked ribs and a fracture in her shoulder. Also her blood pressure and heart rate were elevated. They admitted her so they could try to figure out what was causing that to happen. They never found a cause but she had to stay in the hospital until Thursday when they could get it all regulated with medicine.

My brother was in town for the holidays and my sister lives in Houston, so I was glad we were all there to support my Dad and encourage my Mom. She is doing fine, thank goodness for pain meds!

I am a wet dish rag...after all the celebrating and then the worry. We got back from Houston last night and I totally vegged out last night...and today. We skipped church and just chilled. The house is a mess, decorations still up, car only partially unpacked, suitcase still full...but that will all be there tomorrow! And the Marine is in town until Weds. but most of his schedule involves his friends and not us!

Let's have a pictorial review of all the madness, shall we? (Feel free to stop reading now...you've been warned!)

Christmas Eve, cookies (or cupcakes as the case may be) for Santa...Blonde rascal took a little nip from the milk. Excuse the lighter fluid in the background, hubs does not believe in having any sort of struggle with lighting a fire in the fireplace!


Ooohhh I love the glow after Santa comes......not that I was still awake or anything.


Then there was lot of present hugging...

It did my heart good that the quilt that caused me lots of blood, sweat and tears got a thrilled look upon opening....
We all had sore "Wii arm" by the end of the day...That Wii boxing is way incredibly fun. I let out a lot of frustration! Good times.


My sweet hubs got me a 300mm lens for my baby love Canon Rebel! I could not be more happy! Cool close ups...
...and loving getting close ups from far away...

Or how about a close up of little snookum cakes all fresh from her pre-holiday bath and foo foo Christmas collar...
.... after rolling in the grass.



On to frolicking in the surf while in Galveston...
The devastation from hurricane Ike was mostly cleaned up but we did see lots of destroyed homes and random boats in parking lots. The weirdest part was that the sand was all gone from the beach....or I guess you could say the beach was gone.

Sand was being brought back in. That was cool to see the dump trucks and tractors working in the water.


On to the "bird" experience!

See you in the ER Mom!
She said the helicopter ride was scary. The best Christmas present is that she is OK! (By the way Mom & Dad, I will be hitting you up for that missed seafood dinner the next time I am home!)

So there it is, Christmas 2008 in all of its glory. Happy New Year friends!