That's a Wrap

The end of the holiday season is always bitter sweet for me. It seems to fly by at lightning speed, in a flash of twinkle lights, animatronic snow people, and worn out debit cards. (I believe I actually heard my card "sigh" the last time I used it.) Every year, I give myself a pep talk right before Thanksgiving. "This year you will slow down and enjoy the true spirit of the holiday season!"

And every year, I seem to fail miserably.

It's only after I put away all the Christmas spoils, throw out what was left of the Christmas goodies, (OK. I ate everything. There was nothing left to throw out. I may have even licked a plate or two.) and de-holiday the house, that I finally take time to reflect upon the holiday season. Here are some major plot points of the last few weeks......

*Black and Blue Friday
Armed with nothing but the clothes on our back and the dream of retail prices being slashed in half, my friend Rachael and I braved the crowds at Anthem for an all night shopping extravaganza! We shopped from 11:00pm to 7:30am on Black Friday. I'm not gonna lie. It got a little ugly out there, and I may be suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Shopping Disorder). I still wake up in a cold sweat, screaming for the Disney Princess Vanity that I had to leave behind. But it was a rush the likes of which I haven't experienced since the great "Tickle Me Elmo" craze of '99.

*Zoo lights
It was an especially twinkly Christmas for us this year. We just could not get enough "light-seeing". We headed out to Zoo lights w/ Adam's sister, Amy, our Brother-in-law Rick, our nieces Sophie and Emma and Grandpa Bill. It was cold and crisp and a perfect start to the holiday season. The yummy hot chocolate and kettle corn didn't hurt either. It is one of our favorite traditions with Grandpa and the Wolff cousins! Where else can you see a giant, talking Giraffe with an affinity for knock-knock jokes?

Ava, Mimi, Emma, Sophie

*Glendale Glitters
A few nights later we went to Glendale Glitters w/ my Mom, Dad, sister Anne, brother Ed, sister-in-law Merry, and my nieces Katie and Karina. We shopped in antique stores, bounced in the bounciest of castles, and gorged ourselves on funnel cake. This must be what heaven is like...

The Gordon Clan

Karina, Ava, Katie, Mia

*Mia turned 2!
My little Mimi had her 2nd birthday. How is that possible?? I can’t type anymore about it or I will short out the keyboard with my tears.

*Christmas in the Time of Cholera
I think we were visited by every cold and flu out there this season. Every family member was hit with at least one strain- not one of us was spared. Our Christmas mugs were emptied of Eggnog and refilled with NyQuil, and our candy canes were replaced by cough drops. It was awesome.



*A Long Distance Call
On Christmas Eve I was able to talk with my sweet baby brother or "Marky Poo" as my sister and I fondly refer to him, who is serving a mission in Costa Rica. (He's just going to love that I'm sharing that nickname with everyone!) It was so wonderful to hear his voice. He humored his big sister and spoke "Costa Rican" for me. I was amazed at how comfortable he was with the language, as he rattled off phrase after phrase in perfect Spanish. We miss him so much, but more than that, we are so proud of the amazing man that he has become.

My sis and I after our chat w/ Mark.

*I'm in the "Dawg Pound". Randy said so.
My sweet niece, Emma received the American Idol Karaoke game for Christmas. It became a favorite pastime during our holiday gatherings with Adam's family. Amy and I took turns battling it out to become "Idols" while the little girls danced and sang along with us.

Yesterday, while Ava and I were playing in her playhouse, she handed me the phone with great urgency, which I took expecting to "talk" with a Grandma, a cousin or any number of imaginary friends. Instead, she placed one hand over the receiver and whispered excitedly,

"Mom! It's Jenny!'

"Jenny? Who's Jenny?" I asked.

"I remembered her number from that song. You know, "867-5309"!

We didn't think Ava would learn her 80's one-hit-wonder icons for a few more years. She'll be top of her class for sure. Thank you, American Idol.

Adam and our little Rick Springfield enthusiast.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!