Happy Anniversary to the Gerlichs'

It was one year ago today that we all celebrated New Year's together but more importantly, it was one year ago today that Kim and Matthias were married. I cannot believe a year has come and gone so fast. That was the most fun New Year's I have ever had and it was the best wedding I have ever been to, as well. Can we do it again tonight and celebrate your one year anniversary? Oh never mind, you are pregnant, Kim...we'll have to do it another time. Happy Anniversary, you two. I know you will have forty or fifty more!!!!!!!!!

New Year's Bahumbug

I think this will be the first year in many, many years that we won't be going anywhere to celebrate New Year's. It's always been one of my favorite celebrations and I am a little bummed we are staying in tonight. We went out with about 18 people two nights ago to watch Cooder Graw's last Amarillo performance and we celebrated pretty hard and long so I guess it makes sense to stay home tonight. The Yorks and their kiddos are coming over for football, games and spirits so it's not like we won't have any fun. It just feels so weird not going out with my Slaton buddies!! Happy New Year's Eve, everyone.

The Many Faces of Blazer

I just love these pictures of Blaze. I was just playing around with my new camera so I started taking pictures of him playing on my bed. I told him to make a crazy face and the craziest face he could make was the one with him sticking his tongue out. Maybe he will get a little more creative as time goes on. My favorite picture is the first one of him peeking over a pillow. I love my camera and can't wait to play with it more. Don't worry folks, I took pictures of Kellyn, too but she was busy playing her new game in her room and really wasn't into the camera this particular night. I will post some of her soon!!

OK, So I Am Spoiled!!

Remember how I blogged my wishlist earlier this month? Well, I also got the flatscreen TV I was asking for. We got it just two days ago and it is AWESOME. For now, it sits on my new Bombay chest but we are going to get it put on the wall in the next week or two. I love my new stuff. Hey, if you are looking for a flatscreen, you can get a 32 inch LCD at Circuit City for next to pennies. Well, maybe not pennies but they are very, very affordable. This TV isn't a Sony of course but when you buy the extended warranty, who cares which brand it is. This is a Olevia made by Hitachi, just in case you are wondering. We got a 42 inch Sony for 10x more back in March so it really is a good deal!!! I never leave my room now...a new bed and a great TV...I am in heaven!!

My Favorite Indoor Christmas Sights

I wish Christmas wasn't over. There are so many things I love about the season including the decorations inside people's homes. The first six pictures are the decorations in my home. I love my leopard print them even though Hays thinks it's so three years ago. The last several pictures are of the decorations at Grammie's house. Toya always goes all out and decorates her home with the greatest stuff. Her tree is so cute because it has a Santa theme and each one of her decorations on the tree are different Santas that she has accumulated over the years.

A new tradition at Toya's on Christmas morning is mimosas. This picture is of the cute wine glass ring she puts around everyone's glass so we don't get our glasses mixed up. I, of course, always get the angel.

This is the new version of the mistletoe...it's a kissing ball.

Love this napkin...Just had to let you all see it. It's hilarious!

The best sight of Christmas just might be little hands excitedly opening up gifts. How adorable is this!!

One of Toya's many Santas on her tree. I was using my new camera in all of these pictures so I tried to use it without flash like all the professionals...I have a lot to learn.

This is the only decoration in Toya's house that Blaze can actually touch.

My most favorite Santa on Toya's tree. Isn't he adorable?

Kellyn really wanted a Nutcracker for Christmas and Santa came through for her. She loves him! When she first requested a nutcracker, I truly thought she meant she wanted a utensil to actually crack nuts. Good thing I checked...I am sure Santa would have brought her that had I not clarified.

This is a wine stopper I put in Toya's stocking. He is so cute!

HOW 'BOUT THOSE RAIDERS!!

What a GAME! That was the most exciting Tech game I have ever watched. Even though Graham Harrell had over 450 yards in passing and played an amazing game...in my opinion, Alex Trlica was the MVP of the game. What an amazing kick! Thank you, Alex. Love my Raiders!!

Alex Trlica

Graham Harrell (Sophomore...yea!)

Shannon Woods (Sophomore...yea!)

Joel Filani (Senior...We will miss you so much!!)

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning was magical! The kids were so happy when they saw everything Santa brought them. Santa did go a little crazy...He says every year he is going to scale down but it never happens. I think Santa and Ms. Clause are going to be eating cans of beans for awhile but Blaze and Kellyn will surely stay busy. In all seriousness, Christmas morning was fun and everyone got a lot of really great gifts. As I already blogged about, I received a really great Canon Rebel Digital Camera but I got a lot of other really neat things. Averi got me a great make-your-own-coaster-set and some really cute pjs. Toya got me some very comfortable and oh so cute Tech sweats plus a lot of other neat stuff...I swear, Averi and Toya so know how to shop for me. I have the greatest in-laws in the world. (Are you reading this, Averi?) As you can see in the pictures, Kellyn and Blaze received almost all of Toys R Us so I won't bore you with the list but just rest assured, they were spoiled as usual. I love Christmas morning at Grammie and Dougie's but I am always so bummed when it's all over.

Mamia's Christmas

I love traditions!! Every single year on Christmas Eve, usually around 6pm, all the Davies' meet out at Mamia's to celebrate Christmas. The same food - fresh black-eyed peas, ham, chicken, giblet gravy, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, homemade rolls or biscuits, the same people, the same story, the same gift exchange...it's awesome. Years ago before Mamia lost her vision, she would read the Christmas story straight out of the bible. Now, Taylor is in charge of that and the prayer. He does a great job!! Kellyn performed the "talent" this year...she played Silent Night on the piano. She did awesome and yes Averi, I, too had tears in my eyes. I have been attending this celebration for 17 years and Taylor is only 23 or so. That means he was younger than Kellyn when I first started watching the "talent shows" on Christmas Eve. WOW! Time goes by so fast. Another one of the traditions is the punch. This year I was in charge. Usually it's made by Mamia and it consists of sangria and port wine. I changed it up at the request of a few people. It was so good if I must say so myself. I made it with champagne, cranberrry juice and sweet red wine. I would love a glass right now. I look forward to Christmas Eve every year!!





Cathy Davies and Pat (right before he got sick!)

Beautiful Olivia - Curtis and Kara's daughter

Blaze was awesome with Olivia - he not only played peek a boo with her but he also consoled her during a meltdown.

Taylor reading the oh so important Christmas story!

Kellyn at the piano during her talent show.

Blaze got some skates and it was hilarious watching him skate through the carpet. As you might imagine, he wasn't very successful.

We love Crockett! Isn't she just the most gorgeous girl you have ever seen? Oh yeah, Crockett ain't half bad herself. ; )

That present was as big as him!! (It was a remote control Jeep for you curious folk!)

What a fantastic mommy!!

Stay Alert!

WARNING:

Watch your debit and credit cards like a hawk!! Don't even let a waiter or counterperson leave your sight with your card. I just happened to check the activity on my account today and we had over $1200 worth of fraudulent charges...all to Mexico. We both still have our debit cards in possession so the only way this could have happened was by an employee writing down Hays' debit card number with the code on the back. I am so bummed. We will get every cent back but until then, $1200 bucks is a lot of freakin' money. I would so kick their ever-livin' asses right now if I could find them. I think we all get a little comfortable and trusting when it comes to our personal stuff...we should all learn from this and be proactive. Watch your accounts everyday! (If you are like me, you don't like to watch your accounts because you then realize how much money you are spending...ouch!)

A Griswald oh, I mean...A Johnston Christmas!!

On Friday, December 22nd, we celebrated Christmas at my mom and dad's. We ate a huge turkey and ham dinner...by the way, my mom is the best cook in the world. The kids opened presents and then we played a Poker Tournament...I, of course won. My 91 year old grandmother came and she enjoyed watching the excitement. Another year come and gone.