10 mile Hike?

Way too much energy BEFORE the hike.
Lunch break. It was really cold and windy. Since I was meeting them at the half way point after work (aka sweaty) I was freezing my can off.

Brandon, Nate Cardon, and Nate Otis

It actually looks pretty doesn't it. I can't say my feeling run that same way in the summer when it's 98 degrees w/ 100 % humidity and not a breath of wind. The only time the wind blows is in the winter time.

The Scouts have to do several 10 mile hikes to earn the hiking merit badge. Since there really isn't much "hiking" to be found here they walked the Clyde Fant walk way. They had it so easy. At 5 miles there's a nice park/pond where they had sandwiches and pizza brought for lunch as well as cookies and doughnuts. I don't know if I'd call it hiking but they had fun.

NO Frango's until Christmas Eve

Every year Chris' parents send us goodies from Washington state. We love getting our Christmas package in the mail. One of our favorite things are Mint Frango's from Macy's. Nate was so disappointed that they were going too fast that he posted this sign. Too bad Nate was the one who was eating most of them. Next year we might have to ask for two boxes. One for Nate and one for the rest of us.

Christmas Morning

For Christmas this year we tried something new and it worked out like a charm. I have to say that this was an almost perfect Christmas. Our day went something like this.

Nate is sleeping in but Chris is too excited to stay in bed so we have to wake Nate up at 745am to open gifts from Dad, Mom, and Nate. We then have our traditional Otis breakfast of Strawberry waffles and OJ. After cleaning up from breakfast and the first round of gifts we open gifts from Santa. After this we take a couple hours off where we clean up again, I go for a run, and Chris and Nate play with their new gifts. At around 3:30pm everyone has showered and eaten lunch we then open the last batch of gifts from extended family members. This made Christmas seem like it lasted longer PLUS we really got to focus on what we got from each other.

After dinner we tried going to Narnia but the newspaper and internet had gotten the times wrong so we showed up and hour and 20 minutes early. Not wanting to wait around we decided to go another day. We came home and watched Percy Jackson which is a movie Nate had gotten for Christmas. A wonderful day.

Seahawks hat from his aunts.

His new i-pod touch. The first one didn't survive being put in the washer. I didn't do it though. I haven't done Chris nor Nate's laundry since moving here.

The Otis family on Christmas morning.

Chris had a theme for my Christmas. Scarves. I got 3. This is me showing them off. I love them all though and it's been really blustery the last few days and have worn all three.

He is such a cutie. How is it possible he's going to be 12 in a few months.

What girl doesn't want to see a large Coach box under the tree?

Seattle Sounders Sweatshirt. We have got to send this one to a game one of these days.

My brothers would be livid but Nate LOVES his Longhorn Jersey.

Christmas Eve

What an fabulous day to the start of a wonderful weekend. For Christmas eve the boys got up really early and went hunting for 6 hours. I'm just saying that this is the perfect way to get kids to sleep in for Christmas morning. We had to wake Nate up at 745am. Chris wouldn't stop bugging me to let him open presents. He's usually more trouble then Nate on Christmas morning. I got to sleep in and then went for a run since I didn't have to work. So nice.

We went to some great friends the Huber's for the evening where we had more food then we could possibly hope to consume in a weeks time. Followed by the opening of new pjs. Got to look good on Christmas morning.

The first kill on Christmas Eve

I know that it is ALWAYS more fun when you go hunting to actually get something. This was the "prettier" of the two ducks Chris and Nate got. They were both so proud. Makes getting up at 5am and tromping through the woods for 6 hours worth it.

Festival of Lights in downtown Natchitdoches

The Otis family after the fireworks. This is the first year they charged if you wanted to get down on the waterfront. Since you have to "save" your seat starting at 10am we never get a waterfront seat. Lucky for us the fireworks are high enough that we've never had a problem seeing the show.

Kaye and Hillary

We have been doing this for 3 years now. We pick a Saturday evening and head down to Natchidoches Louisiana with the Cardons. It's always a highlight to our Holiday season. We got a late start this year due to scheduling conflicts but at least Chris was able to make it. We ate at Merci Beaucoup. (again) It was such a pleasant evening if a bit chilly.

Misc. Photos

The gingerbread people

Kaye, Chris, and Nate

Francine, Chris, Nate, and Richard.

So while Richard and Francine were here we went downtown to see the Kansas City Express Christmas train. It was free. Since I didn't have any expectations I had fun. Nate might be getting to the age where it wasn't "cool" but for the most part he was a good sport. It was cold down there by the river.

Nate in all his new camo gear to go huntin'. It's really expensive to outfit a kid because they're only going to wear the stuff for one season. Geez.