Make some noise.

Looks like we have come to the end to another year. Usually, I dread the coming of the new year and all the uncertainty that it brings with it, but this year, I'm actually looking for to it. After all, one of the things that I worry about actually almost happened this year, and yet, life still continued on course. And hey, for the first time in recent memory, Mark and I actually have plans for New Year's Eve. So we're getting off to the right start.

Personally, I feel like I accomplished a lot this year (I think that the meager 50 posts to the blog this year may just prove how busy I was), but I still have more that I want to do. This year, I will create more things. I will sew more and knit more and glue more things together. I will take A LOT more photos. I will read more books. I will cook more. I will go to more places and see more things. I be more involved in the lives of those around me.



More to come tomorrow - hopefully. :)

Have a crafty, drafty Christmas.

That's the only word I could come up with that rhymed. Anyway, I wanted to close out the Christmas blogging with some photos of the crafts that Lauren and I made this year. I meant to post these on Christmas Eve, but unfortunately, I only had time to take the photos. Lauren made these oh-so cute foam ornaments from a kit that we purchased at the dollar store. She put her own touches on it like making the gingerbread boy into a gingerbread girl and adding a bunny as the train's engineer.



The next three are all courtesy of Martha the Great. This year's December Living contained some real gems. These glittered acorns were terribly messy but still fun to make. As we were working, Lauren turned to me and said, "This was a really good idea, Mom." That makes it all worth while, doesn't it?



Next are these snowmen wrapped candy bars. Again, these were a little more challenging than they looked. It's not as easy as it looks to get those finger print features looking nice. There is also a more involved Santa version, which we may tackle next year.



Lastly, this one came from a special holiday craft edition of Living that I bought a couple of years ago, which I'm certain I will be turning to for ideas each Christmas. This year, I chose to make these mitten clips for package decorations. They have a magnetic strip on the back of the clothespin so that they can be used all year round.

Christmas 2010: History repeats itself.

When you're a kid, the present receiving doesn't just stop with Christmas morning. It's an all day marathon of ripping and tearing as various relations visit and contribute to your pile of shiny new stuff.



Like this Kung Zhu from Grandma and Pappy Bruno. That would be the Zhu Zhu pet number six for Lauren. There is officially a "no vacancy" sign hanging in her hamster condo.



Grown-ups get stuff too. Mark was very excited about his chamois.



And Pappy got a nifty scanner to scan all those slides that he took while I was growing up.



Which came in very handy as the evening progressed. Here is Grandma and Uncle Craig perusing Grandma's new Marilyn Monroe book.



Now let's take the Wayback Machine and set it 27 years ago to the year 1983 where we can pay a visit to Christmas past, where we'll see Grandma and Uncle Craig perusing Grandma's new Marilyn Monroe calendar.

That's the thing about Christmas. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

That is, except for Grandma's cleavage.

Christmas 2010: Santa knows best.

Christmas morning didn't start until 9 a.m., which was fine by me because that provided enough time for the prior evening's sangria to wear off. Lauren was very cute this year, with just the right amount of excitement.



Santa Claus came through again. Lauren exclaimed more than once, "I wanted this, but I didn't even ask for it!" Yep, that Santa is an expert in his field - a true peak performer.



For example, Lauren was quite satisfied with her blue haired fairy doll.



And Almond the Pony.



The elusive Teacup Piggy (Even though the elves did not include a teacup with the set. Lauren was a tad put out about that, but even Santa struggles to find qualified employees in his unique field of work.).



And how about that exclusive blue Zhu Zhu Pet, Sofie, which just happens to be Lauren's favorite color and name?



A five and half year old's dream - The Power Puff Girls the complete series (All 78 episodes) on DVD.



Don't forget another "puzzle" (Legend of Zelda) game for Nintendo DS!



After she was finished, it was mommy and daddy's turn. Not even a severe case of bed head could stop me from getting at that Tiffany's box!



Ooo...an Eiffel Tower eraser!



And Star Wars pancake molds!



Mark pointing out the contradiction in his stocking stuffers: teeth whitener and candy.



Oh, how I love my Snoopy tee!

And that pretty much concludes Christmas morning. Next, we close out Christmas 2010 with my family!

Christmas 2010: A Very Inappropriate Christmas

Christmas Eve. The most holy night of the year. We spent the evening at my in-laws, in what appears to be a normal suburban home, but in reality...



..it's a den of iniquity.

The evening started innocently enough.



Sweet children opening their presents.



People eating ice cream.



And fried chicken.

But what lies beneath is...



Pure evil.



First, this innocent little girl broke her doll.



Did anyone fix it for her? No! Instead, it was torn away from her so it could be turned into raunchy ornament for Grandma's tree.



Afterward, people started desecrating Old Glory.



That's right Noah - get the police on the phone. This is getting out of hand.



But wait! It only gets worse. Why, is that woman holding a counterfeit dollar bill? I wonder what she means to do with it?







Better call the police again, Noah. I don't think this residential property has been zoned for adult business use.



After Sean's racy dance, Mike was inspired to open his own questionable establishment.



Even this nice family portrait was tainted by lechery.



I feel exactly the same way about that photo, Noah.



Aunt Linda took Lauren aside and used Legos in order to teach her how to fight off a woman who tries to take her free sample of pepperoni bread at the grocery store.



Even the gifts were wrong. Who knows what mischief Grandpa is going to be up to with his GIANT tape measure.



This poor woman was almost suffocated by her Snuggie.



And someone was encouraging me to cross dress by giving me this Big and Tall shirt.



Mike had it the worst. Not only did he receive a shirt that he already owned, but it was many sizes too small.



At least Uncle Johnny demonstrated how a proper gentleman should dress.



Don't worry, Noah. Next year, we'll have Christmas at the Playboy Mansion. It's much tamer at Hef's place.

Christmas card outtakes.

Hope everyone is enjoying their Christmas!



The Dark Lord commands you to have a merry Christmas.



Darth Vader, only you could be so bold. Again.



Impressive. Most impressive. Obi-Wan has taught you well.



Your skills are complete. Indeed you are powerful as the Emperor has foreseen.

Did I mention that Mark gave me Star Wars pancake molds for Christmas?