Holland's new jammies

I heard Holland was a little bummed by some of her presents this year, however, her favorite seem to be her new pajamas. While they might be a little too warm for the Arizona climate, they're certain to give her the comfort and provide that certain 'look' she's aspiring for.

Blake Claus

WHEN BLAKE CLAUS COMES

My favorite time of the year just came, I'm glad it was here,

It was the very best time of the whole entire year.

He brought toys, video games, and presents galore;

With Blake Claus around, Christmas is never a bore.

Down the chimney he came,

Will he fit? If not it will be a shame,

Leaving presents for Conner, Holland, Rafe and Claire,

This giant of a man, he's as large as a bear.

So now I'm counting each day on my fingers and thumbs-

The weeks that must pass until Blake Claus comes (again).

Next Christmas, he'll bring joy and fun,

Let's hope he can still drive he's sleigh, despite being so rotund,

So we'll continue to wait, not minding the cold, though our fingers it numbs,

For it brings the time nearer when Blake Claus comes.

~~ Author Unknown

New Addition

This is the latest addition to the Shirley Family. Meet (?), well, it is not yet official, but we are leaning towards "Mischa." We thought about "Phydoux," but that is much too common. OK, I know I threatened all of you with disinheritance if you bought us a pet. It makes your Mom happy, so why not? She has a great disposition and seems easy enough to train. It is like having a little fur ball waddling around the house. She is a Golden Retriever and will end up being a little over 30-35 lbs. Prognosis? So far, so good.

Ho Ho Ho, From the Land of Snow

Notice our Christms "hangover," the only kind we have at our house. It snowed and the wind blew all night. Now that's a white Christmas.

The trees and shrubs by the sidewalk were nearly crushed by all the whie snow. I went out yesterday and knocked it all off, but after last night you couldn't tell I had done anything.

No, this is not a new kind of Idaho muhroom. It is really Jan's fountain birdbath dressed as a snow cone.

I was out shoveling the bridge when I heard a muffling sound. I turned around to see a hole had opened up and collapsed at the side of the bridge. It had blown over and I thought the canal was full, but there was this pocket below. You can see the edge of the bridge at the left of the hole.

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas. We were planning on playing bingo at Mom and Dad's, but I don't think we will be able to get there in all this snow. Eric Sutton scraped us out but it is filling back in, so who knows?

Merry Christmas

Happier Daze. . .

Last October after Grandpa's funeral, we caught Rafey trying to see things from a dog's perspective. I'm amazed I didn't break down sobbing when I came across these pictures. Anyway, very cute pictures Dad took. Here we are at the holidays already, time has flown.

We miss our Cashie. I feel like now we really are empty nesters. It's so hard to come home and not see him come bounding out and start chasing something invisible in the back yard. Okay the tears are starting, I'll stop.

We have already attended 2 Christmas parties and dad has another one tomorrow with his faculty. I think I will have a staff party and invite. . well, I guess just dad, me and the mop! How things have changed. I'm very introspective tonight for some reason. I was thinking as we went to see Becky Bochenek tonight that two years ago we gave their family $100 for Christmas, anonymously of course, and now I feel we are on the opposite side of the spectrum. I wouldn't mind having many people giving us $100's and perhaps some $20's just for fun.

I love all of your blogs and so enjoy the pictures. We will probably be alone this Christmas. Jason & Sara will be here of course, but with a brand new baby, it will be hit and miss if they can come. So we'll be left alone with Grandpa K. There still is Christmas night Bingo though, so we can look forward to that. I love Holland's new glasses and I love Granty singing Beautiful Day. Why can't we be like the Green's and all live within 100 yards of each other? That would be awesome, I think. . .

Dad & Neal were the program for the Wilford Ward Party last Friday. There was a big crowd that just laughed themselves sick at dad so, you know how he reacted. He just got funnier and funnier and Neal got laughing so hard that he couldn't remember the songs they practiced. This older lady sitting behind Cath & I was just whooping it up, loudly and the tears were just running down her face. Dad was at his best!

We have our ward Christmas party this Friday and I'm sure you guys are all in the middle of parties of your own. Spoke with Jeff this evening and they listed their condo on Friday and are starting to look actively for a home. We wish them luck! Brandon just has 1 more week of school then finals, hooray! We can't wait til they come up in January. I don't know anyone else's news, other than Holland is making great strides on potty training. However not on the day that Jenna called me last, it turned out to be a poop fest that went terribly wrong. Good luck guys.

So that is about all. The weather is crappy in that we have no snow and it's colder than shiz so it's hard to get in the holiday spirit. Brandon did say they had some snow though. So everyone keep posting lovely pictures for this lonely grandma and if you see a strange dog that looks intelligent and just like Cashie bones, let me know! We love you all!!! Ma & Pa Shirley