Our Rockstar Christmas.....

We had so much fun hanging out/rocking out with family this year. Christmas 08, Ali was all about opening presents and really didn't care who it was for or what was inside....let's just open them! She enjoyed each present after they were all open but not until then! She memorized the Christmas Story and would tell anyone who would listen about the angel telling Mary to not be afraid and the hay, stable, manger, and kings with treasures. She loves singing Happy Birthday to Jesus and melts our hearts everytime!

Madeline found my face and started smiling and giggling a few days before Christmas so of course, that was the best gift! She is growing way to fast and Matt and I wish she would just slow down already! The magic of a thumb has made my life MUCH easier and has allowed me several silent nights lately~ for the thumb, I am grateful!

Christmas was quite different this year for many reasons....we now are a family of four, Alison loves the man in the red suit, Matt was home for Christmas, I am a proud aunt to a 1 year old who missed last Christmas by a day, and I have changed my mother status to Rockstar!....Rockstar you might ask, hmmmm, never saw that coming...Well, atleast not until Santa showed up with a special delivery of Guitar Hero World Tour! I never would have imagined that putting a guitar, drums or microphone in my hand would instantly bring out this feeling of purple hair, tight leather pants, chains and black lipstick....but it does and I love it!..the feeling not the purple hair! Not to say that all Rockstars fit this stereotype but this is exactly how I picture myself (just like the character I created on the xbox for myself) even though I still look like a Mom..just with a guitar in her hand.

The whole family joined my lil band at one time or another. Christmas Eve we stayed put at my parents house and invited Nanny and Grandaddy over as well as some of my cousins. We had a long concert that included Matt singing, Kevin on Drums, me on guitar and Ashley or Josh or MOM, yes even Mom (Mimi), on the other guitar. Ali joined in for a singing solo every now and again. It was a sight to see and I am ashamed to say we have no video! It was the most fun I have had in a long time! The concert continued at the Kave's and between Matt, Brian (Pappy) and Jake, someone was always playing Guitar Hero at deafening decibels and living the Rockstar dream out in the comfort of our homes. Vickie (Nina) even tried her hand at the guitar and secretly enjoyed it just as much as the rest of us! :)

We arrived back in Beaufort to 77 degree weather and have spent most days outside riding bikes and playing in the leaves that we are slow at removing! Matt is home for 4 days and then off to Top Gun for 2 1/2 months. We plan to put Madeline's crib up and doing boring tasks like cleaning the dryer lint out of the line....speaking of which, I am surprised my house hasn't burned down! Which brings me to my next point....

THE DRYER STORY.....so I discovered that they do things quite differently here in SC. I have been complaining for months about my dryer not drying clothes very well....so I went on a search for my dryer vent outside....after 30 minutes and no luck, I went to get the neighborhood handyman, aka..Mr. Mike! After finding a shovel and doing some digging, I found my dryer vent, WALAA...1 ft down and discovered that my vent coming out from my FOUNDATION....shocking to say the least. My dryer air has not been vented since I moved in or maybe ever, which would explain why my electric bill is so high and I have been extremely frustrated, beyond normal frustration with laundry! I. I mean Matt, now has to snake the line and get 2 years of built up lint out! Good times but I am thankful I found it before it was a disaster.

It is time to remove the Christmas glow in my house and pack it all up for another year. I love all of the lights , sparkle and magic of Christmas...I wouldn't mind leaving the lights on my mantle all year! Ali and I are going to tackle the tree and await Matt's arrival from work. I'll try to be better about posting in 2009! HAPPY NEW YEAR! I plan on being a rockstar all night with my honey and ring in the New Year with him for a change! Until next year......