Habla Usted Espanol

Hola! Buenos dias!

So, in an attempt to find things to do together for us "almost" empty nesters, Aaron and I have started a Spanish class together. There are several reasons why we picked Spanish as our first class.

1. Let's face it - it's inevitable. Our country is really turning bi-lingual. You can piss and moan about it, or you can go with the flow. We try to be flow people. It makes life so much more enjoyable. There are just more and more people here who speak Spanish, and we would like to converse better.

2. We love to travel! We have already been to Mexico twice, and am sure we will be there again. Especially once we truly are on our own with no kids. All of the sudden travel expenses will be cut in half. Half! So many of the trips we have just contemplated will become attainable. We love the Mexican people (at least where we have been) and think our traveling would be much more enriched if we could converse with them in their native language. I think it shows you care a little more to learn it. We also love studying other cultures, and this is part of the experience.

3. We are looking for avenues to be more involved in the community and meet new people. I am currently looking for volunteer opportunities, and I truly believe that Spanish will help greatly in that effort as well. The class is a great start to branching out and meeting more people. We have about 8 of us in the class, so it's nice and intimate - a great way to get to know a few people.

I have a feeling that Aaron is going to advance way faster than I am, and that I am going to have to work twice as hard, but that's okay. I'm used to it. That's pretty much how it is with most things we do. He is just naturally WAY better at retaining information than I am, and even though I think I am a pretty quick learner, he is even faster. Remember, he did test and genius levels in the sixth grade! :o) LOL!!

Hasta Luego

Finally!

I finally got my elliptical! Aaron has been looking around for a long time, and we have done a lot of shopping around, but the bloomin' things are so expensive. Aaron finally found one on Craig's List for a price we were willing to pay. I love Craig's List! I love my new elliptical! And, I love Aaron!

New Years Eve

A pretty simple new years eve for us. With all our friends either out of town or laid up from surgery, and Jess gone to her own party, we didn't really have anyone to do anything with. It's a good thing we like to be together!

As soon as Jeff got home from work Derek did come over and we just had our own little party waiting for Jess to get home. We watched "Return of the Jedi", ate pizza, played 2 intense games of Carcazone, ate lots of junk, drank lots of soda and cool-aid and just had fun. Aaron and I even did facials. Hey, we had to stay up until 2:00a.m. until Jess got home.

Woodland Park Zoo

Saturday we spent the day at the zoo with Weldon's family and grandma. It was a very nice day. Cold, but super sunny. Jade was a little grumpy because she hasn't been feeling well, but she played along a few times.

We got a wheel chair for mom so it would be an easier trip for her - it's a big zoo. I guess Aaron got bored after a while, because he started doing tricks with her. It was so funny we were all dying, and people who would walk by us would look at us like we were off our rocker. I took a few picks and then finally got a recording. By the time I got the video out though she was getting used to the wheely, so it's not quite as funny as it was at first. Still funny though!!

Christmas

Even though we have had kids working through the Christmas holiday, it has been a really great Christmas.

Christmas Eve we went over to my mom's house, after Jessi got home from work, and had a yummy meal and sat around and played games. It was a very fun night. Mom got each family a Wii for Christmas - one game system we didn't have yet. Had the Cube but not the Wii.

Christmas morning was nice and quite with just our fam. We opened presents and then Aaron and I spent the rest of the morning putting together his new telescope until Weldon, Julie, Jade and Grandma came over to spend the rest of the day with us.

We had a big breakfast, played Wii bowling, watched movies, played games and ate a lot of cookies. FUN! Mom really got into bowling and beat everyone. We'll have to have her over to play with us again soon!

Aaron got me these really good sunglasses, and some new drum heads for my set. I love them, and really needed them! Jess got me the new "Star Trek" and Jeff got me "Up". Both movies I love!

Aaron's main gift this year was his telescope. I really fretted over that for weeks wondering if I should spend he money or not, but in the end just decided to go for it. It's what I wanted to get him, so I did. He LOVES to look at the stars. Jess got him a moon filter to go with it and Jeff got him the last Iron Maiden CD he needed to complete his set.

Aaron and I got Jeff a new fancy coat (that's too big, gotta go exchange it some time) and a PS2. I think he has every game system represented now in his collection. Jess got him the extended version fancy set of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

Jess had been dying to find out what Jeff got her for weeks now. The way the package was wrapped was very odd and she just couldn't wait to find out what it was. He got her a gig bag for her bass. Aaron and I got her a camera. She has been wanting one for a couple of years now and finally has one.

Putting together the telescope

Playing Wii bowling

Grandma was so excited she won she almost cleared air jumping in celebration.

We had a great Christmas and got to spend it with great people!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!!

Christmas Eve Eve

We went over to Teresa's house to Celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve Eve. The boys were going to be at their dad's house on Christmas and they really wanted to see Jeff, so we celebrated early. I recorded mom opening her present so that those who couldn't be there could share in this moment.

I think she really liked it. Good job Amy!

Can I just say that Jade is freakin' cute!!

Wow! Finn is a tank! He just pile drives his brother, and Owen just takes it. Poor kid! After this pic was taken Finn stoop up and jumped right on Owens gut. Ouch!

Aaron looks completely in his comfort zone :o)!

Thanks for hosting this year Teresa! I know it wasn't easy for you being gone all day, but we all had fun! It's just great to be together!

Gingerbread Train

Always looking for the cheap dates, I subjected Aaron to building a gingerbread train with me this year. We did wait until Jess got home from work though to do it with us. I think we were not quite intelligent enough however, we should have had Marylinn here to help us! But, we did have a ton of laughs, and in the end that's what it's there for! We had fun.