Christmas 2010

Hi family and friends-

We hope your holiday was amazing! We had a great Christmas spent with family that came to visit (my youngest brother). It was so nice for the kids, Steve and I to have family near on Christmas day.

Here are some pics:

Here's a video from Jason's last meet. He pinned the other guy in the first round...I think they were pretty evenly matched, which doesn't always happen. Normally the other guy is somewhat bigger than Jason because Jason gained weight to get to the 134 weight class. Most guys cut weight so they have greater muscle mass. Or something like that. (It sounds right in my head)
OH and SO sorry about the awful video-taking...I like to watch the match while not looking through the viewfinder. So it ends up shaky and sometimes I am not lined up. :)

Christmas Decorations Galore!

We received our first major snowfall of the year (about 6-8 inches) pretty much overnight. The kids had a snow day today, and they are ecstatic. :)

I think I have most of my decorations up...check them out below.

I haven't put any gifts below the trees, but that will happen within the next few days. I like to coordinate my wrapping paper, so it becomes part of the decorations. I'll probably get more pics up after Christmas morning.

My kitchen is decorated in all red and white candycane-like decor. My cabinets are wrapped in red/white wire ribbon. Here are some photos:







My computer room is done in vintage style, with memory ornaments on this tree. It's an accumulation of ornaments from the past 15 years...My Memory/Vintage Room:




Our main living room is decorated in red and gold:

Snowfall is the best kind of "fall" (if you ask me)...

Here we are again-another Saturday. Another day spent in a nasty humid gym with a hundred 8th grade wrestlers. But, we wouldn't change it for a thing-Jason had three pins, and his team took first (again, and yes, twice in a row). Can you see my proud mama glow from where you're sitting? I know, I know, I'm such a dork. While we were at the meet I was watching two schools wrestle one another, kid by kid. Then I noticed one kid didn't get back up after his wrestling turn. He was laying on his stomach, but I still didn't know what was wrong. They had to call an ambulance. I found out that the kid couldn't feel his legs. How scary! Can you believe that??!! And they took him to the hospital. We all said silent prayers for him, and hope to hear an update. Jason looked at me and said "I bet you want to take me home right now, huh?" Of course I did, but "freaked out mom" somehow doesn't fly for a good enough reason to take my kid and head home. Although, if he suddenly would like to switch to a non-contact sport, I would never hesitate. :) Who can believe we are only 14 days away from Christmas? I still have enough Christmas shopping left that I groan to think of my time limit-but I smile to think of my kids' faces lighting up Christmas morning. AND, my brother will be visiting the 23rd for two weeks-so it will be fun to have him! We always have extra space around the Christmas tree, and we can always use an extra adult to break through the impossibly frustrating packaging on kids' toys these days. ;) And we will introduce him to the 'nati... We're supposed to get our first show-stopping snowfall tomorrow. It's supposed to continue on and off until Monday night. You KNOW the kids are wishing for a snow day, or two. KT visited Santa's workshop at school last week, and we are all sure to get great gifts from her this year! If you aren't familiar with Santa's Workshop: it's a "store" or donated unused and donated gifts where the kids can buy things for their families. Items normally cost a dollar or two. We sent her with 10 dollars. She told us she bought us all gifts, and spent the leftover 5 dollars on herself! Very resourceful. Matthew is doing great-signing fine-still no words. :) Here are some pics from the meet today (and a few other random ones).

Happy December

Today we headed to Ross for Wrestling. Jason had the typical nerves of the first meet of the season, but he did great! He was able to pin two people! Here are some pictures from the meet.

Jason's coach checking him out, ref looking on:

Jason in position (and yes, he has a mohawk-it's a long story, but basically about half the wrestling team has a hawk):

Jason on top:

And in neutral position:

Jason wouldn't smile at me, but his friend noticed I was playing papparazi:

Just chillin', waiting for his turn to wrestle...

Obviously the wrestlers at matches represent all weight groups in the 7th and 8th grade. The kid on the left is the lightest class.

Jason waiting to see who his opponent will be in the 134 weight class:

And on the mat...










There were 5 schools wrestling off in the division today. The number one spot came down to the very last match, our guy needed to pin Ross' guy, not just earn points. That happened, and our boys walked away with the number one spot today!