Christmas with the GANG!

The Gang and I had a great Christmas weekend. Not only did Michael and I not have to work Christmas Eve Night but we didn't have to work all weekend. I am truly blessed to have such an awesome job!

Well that being said...

Christmas Eve was full of fun, Joanna and I made Brownies for Santa and cut up apples for a special treat for the reindeer. Michael and Kayla were watching Lethal Weapon (Novak Favorite). We all opened one present, Joanna got her Christmas PJ's, Kayla got a leopard print bath robe, Michael and I opened a present from Dad and Mom and got Choc. Peppermint Martini Mix AWESOME! So of course we had to try it out, Yummy! It also came with crushed peppermint for the rim. Ya Baby! So we made Santa a special Drink a Milk Martini, with the rim decor and milk inside. It was so cool. Joanna left Santa a note that she was sorry she couldn't find the bell that fell off of Santa's sleigh and left on the ground last year to give back to him. And then she left the pad of paper and the pen (a frog pen) just in case Santa wanted to write her a note. So Cute! Well with that done we all settled in to bed to wait Santa's arrival.

Christmas Day the girls woke Michael and I up around 7:30am (could be worse, I think back on the days we tried to wake Dad up at 4am). The Gang scrambled down stairs and found the brownies eaten, apples all over the lawn (mess made by the reindeer) and yes a note from SANTA!! It said that Joanna was forgiven because she was such a good girl this year and thanked her for the brownies and apples, he loved the milk and that she had a great pen. That was a hit! The girls each found a present outside pushed off the sleigh   from the reindeer. We opened our Stockings and then Joanna passed out all the presents under the tree. Taking turns we all opened the wonderful packages, finding the goodies inside. After all the present were open I made french toast for breakfast. We spent the day playing with or new treasures and putting things away. Christmas night was spent with all of us looking at the stars relaxing in the hot tub. Michael and I of course had Choc. Peppermint Martini's in our new Martini Glasses! It was a wonderful Christmas! I was so exhausted I can't remember Friday or Saturday! Love Christmas, but glad when it's over. Thank You All, Love You and Miss You Very Much! Merry Christmas!

The Gangs All Here

I am very happy to announce that at 7:20pm last night, with no bruises, broken bones or bleeding; Kayla Novak walked of her 7 1/2 hour flight from Dallas, TX to Spokane, WA! It was a beautiful sight to see Dad and Daughter embrace after 12 1/2 years apart. Now we have the two most gorgeous girls in Washington (yes I am bias). Thank you to all the friends and family that could make it to help welcome Kayla to Spokane. And for those who couldn't I know you were with us in spirit, and I thank you as well. Friday we will enroll Kayla in school and then get ready for Christmas! Love you all, hope you are all as Ecstatically Happy as the Gang and I.

WOW! What a Weekend

Well this weekend was non-stop!!! Saturday morning the gang and I went to Breakfast with Santa at the Carousel! So COOL! We got there early and started on craft projects, Joanna made a cute Carousel Horse that we are going to convert into an ordainment to put on the tree, while she was doing that I took advantage of the Carousel being still and took pictures of it. I have never been there while it was just sitting there, and I was screaming TAKE MY PICTURE!! LOL So after Joanna was done with her horse we started to color Snoopy Christmas pictures they had there and before we were done they started giving rides on the Carousel, SWEET! Joanna road alone a couple of times and then the BIG MAN IN RED walked in and the place went crazy! Then Santa announce that he was going to ride the Carousel with everyone and he did so Two times to make sure all the kids got the opportunity to ride with him and so all the parents got pictures. Then we sat on Santa's lap,ate breakfast and road the Carousel over and over, we even got Michael the ride too. So much fun!!

Then Saturday night we had the Blue Masonic Lodge 1st Annual Christmas Party! It was great food, great friends, all round Awesome. We all chatted up a storm and listen to Christmas music! Maybe next year we can talk the Lodge into a live band and dancing!?

Sunday we almost had a big disaster, our heater went out and we called a couple of places that do emergency repair and went with the lower bid. The guy came out and he said all we had was a clogged tube and he fixed it and then to our surprise said Merry Christmas, No Charge! WOW! Makes you believe there are good people out there and that Christmas is real! Thank you Repair Man and Merry Christmas! Then that night we took Joanna to Santa Express in the Crescent Bldg, this is a place where kids can shop and then wrap what they got for the family with out parents help. Very cool! They get help with someone that is helping out, All Volunteer! Joanna went home and re wrapped her gifts in real wrapping paper instead of the white bags they gave her. After she shopped we went and had dinner in the food court at the Mall and then went to the Kress Gallery to see what they had displayed and then home! Very Busy but a Wonderful Weekend!

Breakfast with Santa

Looks Like Christmas

Last night the Gang and I went to the Davenport Hotel and checked out the Christmas Tree Elegance Event. If you don't know the Davenport Hotel does this every year where business's and donors decorate around 10 or so Christmas Trees each one with it's own theme. And they decorate them very elaborately!! There are a lot of prizes that come with each tree like laptops to TVs and even cash, jewelry, ticket to shows and hotel stays and more. Well you buy raffle ticket's for $1.00 a piece and then put them in a box by the tree you want (each tree has it's own box) and then this year on the 12th this month they will draw a name for each tree and the winner takes the tree and all the prizes that came with it. All the proceeds go to charity, this year the money is going to the Spokane Symphony! I just like to look at the way they decorate the trees, it is a very beautiful and wonderful event.

Christmas Tree Elegance 2009

Go Zags!!

Yesterday the Gang and I went to a Women's Zag's Basketball game. We were invited by our boss! It was a blast!! They have a awesome facility with all the bells and whistles. Jo Bear bought a program and then we all grabbed some chow (Pizza, Hot Dogs, Nachos, Popcorn and Pepsi). We even had an across the court rondevue with a good friend. They started texting Michael asking him how he was enjoying the game and his food. He couldn't figure it out for a minute and then we saw Nancy McLaughlin, City Council Woman and family on the other side waving at us! So Funny! We had a great time!

Dentist

Joanna Bear just got the news from the Dentist that for the 2nd annual check up in a row she is Cavity Free! Ya! Go Jo!

The Gangs Getting Bigger

Well I am ecstatically happy to tell everyone that we are getting a new roady! Kayla Novak, Michael's Daughter, has made the life changing decision to move all the way from a little town in Texas, to the big town of Spokane, Washington.

I hope everyone will help us welcome her with open arms and warm hearts.

We originally had planned on Kayla coming to visit this coming summer and seeing how things went. But with many discussions, text messages, and long emails she will be flying up on December 15th, 2009. What a Christmas present! The Gangs all excited! Even Joanna is anticipating having a BIG Sister! If you are on Facebook she has a Facebook Page, tell her hello and get to know the new member of the Gang!

Thanksgiving Day

The Gang and I had a great Turkey Day!! We went to Aunt Jan's house and got to see Jaken, Jerod, Grandpa Provoncha, Randy, Russell and Rushele. We meet Aunt Jan's husband Dan and his kids Matt and Rachel.

There was so much food, and it was all so yummy. I made my specialty, "Hot Wine" and it was a hit. We all ate the expected too much and spent the rest of the evening talking and catching up. Jo had fun keeping Jaken, Jerod and Aunt Rushele busy wrestling around. And she did an excellent job on tiring them out.

Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving Day!!