Monday, January 4, 2010

White Christmas 2009

Well Christmas was interesting this year, wasn't it?  I was one of the ones that hoped for a white Christmas.  That is until it started sleeting at 8 a.m. on Christmas Eve.  By noon, we had several inches of snow and the city was a mess!  There were cars stranded everywhere in OKC.  NW Expressway looked more like a parking lot than a major street.  It took me nearly 2 hours to get home from work - but luckily I made it home safe.

Our house on Christmas Morning




Lucas, Cade, and I planned to go to Lucas' parents for Christmas Eve for a quiet evening.  However, by 6 o'clock they had shut down every highway in OKC and were telling people we were in a blizzard and needed to stay inside. Lucas and I debated, but decided to stay in for the evening. 

Our Christmas Eve was pretty uneventful...  I ventured over to the neighbors in what was probably 10 - 12 inches of snow to borrow some baking soda so that Cade and I could make cookies for Santa.  I picked up some Reindeer food (oatmeal) from Walmart earlier that morning so that Cade could feed the reindeer.  Of course with all the snow we had, Cade just had to walk out onto the little 3 foot by 3 foot square that Lucas had cleared for us on the back porch.  Cade dumped the oatmeal out in a pile - and I picked it up and threw it around for the reindeer. 
Cade making cookies on Christmas Eve

Lucas and I managed to talk Cade into going to bed around 10:30 or so.  I kept telling him that Santa would be here soon and so he'd better go to bed, but he didn't seem too worried.  Once we got him in bed, Lucas and I played the Wii for a while.  I think Santa circled the block a few times until he knew Cade was good and asleep.  Once we gave the go ahead to Santa, he came down the chimney and delivered a kid's sized brown leather chair, 2 Transformers, a Transformer book, the movie Up on DVD, and a new coat from Baby Gap.  Lucas and I managed to see Santa off and get in bed around midnight.

Santa's Christmas Delivery



Cade must've woke up in the middle of the night because he ended up sleeping on the couch.  He came in and woke me up around 7:30.  I said, "Cade do you want to go and see what Santa brought?"  He says, "Oh he brought me a Transformer book and some Transformers."  So since he'd already seen everything, we didn't get to see how excited Cade was.  Needless to say, we got up right away and started opening presents with Cade.  From me and Lucas, Cade got:  4 more Transformers, the first Transformer movie on DVD, some blocks, a dinosaur toy and a game.  From my mom he got a fire truck tent, 3 new DVD's, an easel, and a Big Wheel.  Luckily, Santa didn't leave out Lucas and me.  Lucas got a PS3 and some games and accessories.  He also got some new clothes from Express.  I got a Wii, a Wii Fit, and several new tops and a pair of slacks from Express.  I also got a new Coach!  Needless to say, we all had a good Christmas!

Cade and his New "Megatron" Transformer



Cade opening another present


Lucas opening his new PS3



Me and my new Wii Fit



After opening our presents, we picked up the house and settled in for a long day shut in at the house.  Normally, we cook dinner for my family on Christmas Day - but since the roads were so bad, we decided to stay in for the day.  However, that didn't last long.  By about noon we were all ready to venture out.  So, we got ready and about 2 o'clock headed over to my mom's to take them some chili for lunch. 

Cade and Marti playing in Nana's yard on Christmas Day



We headed over to Lucas' parents to hang out with his brothers.  The roads weren't as bad and what we were afraid they would be.  Jamie put out a cheese and meat tray for all of us (she was not expecting any of us - since we all had other plans that were cancelled).  Cade spent the afternoon playing with Marti.  They played out in the snow for a bit, but I was so scared he'd get sick - so that didn't last long!  The kids opened gifts from Nana and Pape.  They each got 3 presents - something they need, something they want, and a surprise.  Cade got pajamas as his need, a Transformer as his want and a game as his surprise.  I got a Scentsy candle warmer and some Scentsy wax bars - which I love!  Lucas gave his dad a book about OU.  It has all of these old pictures from OU over the years.  It has replicas of old tickets and programs and things like that.  It was very well done.  I think Rick really liked it too.  We gave Jamie a nice sweater and matching shell top from Catherine's.  I think it's a little bit too big - but I hope she likes it! 

Lucas shoveling snow so we could celebrate Christmas - what a guy!



Me, My Annie and Uncle Victor



Cade opening his new TV



Me and my sweet baby boy, Cade



Me, my Momma, and my Annie



My Mom and my cousin, Zach



Saturday morning, my dear sweet loving husband, Lucas went out and shoveled our entire driveway and sidewalk so that my aunt could come for Christmas dinner.  She's in a wheelchair and so the sidewalk had to be pretty clear.  I worked on Christmas dinner and did the overwhelming majority all by myself for the first time.  My mom and Floyd, Annie and Uncle Victor and my Aunt Neta and cousins Zach and Mikey came for dinner.  Lucas' parents were also able to make it.  Lucas' mom has a great way of making people feel comfortable!  She is always welcome when I'm entertaining people in my home!  We had a nice dinner and then opened gifts together.  My aunt got lots of new stuff.  She got a new bedspread for her bed at the nursing home.  She also got several new sets of clothes and a new Elvis calendar (which the nursing home has already lost!  Arrgghh!)  I got my uncle some socks and a new wallet (he's a man who would only want something practical!)  My mom got a new shirt and a new set of earrings from Express and some Bath & Bodyworks stuff.  We got Floyd a book with lots of useless knowledge in it...  I thought he'd like it....  Cade got a new game and some bath toys from his Aunt Neta and cousin Zach.  He also got a new flat panel TV with built in DVD player.  We all had a really nice day.  Neta brought pictures from my cousin's wedding over the summer...  looks like it was a beautiful wedding.  We got some great pictures with my Annie.  She just adores Mr. Cade.  I just wish that he would play with her more.  It's hard for him though because he likes playing with people who can get down on the floor and tickle and wrestle and all that kind of stuff...  unfortunately, she just can't do that anymore.  But, I can see her love and admiration for him every time she sees him.  Her face just lights up like a Christmas tree.  I don't think I will ever get tired of seeing that look on her face!  Once dinner and presents were over my mom, Floyd and Aunt Neta left.  Zach and Mikey wanted to go back to my mom's - and of course Cade wanted to go with them.  So, we let him go.

Me, Lucas, Victor and my Aunt waited for Med-Ride to come pick her up.  They were 2 hours late and didn't show until 6 o'clock.  I could tell that my uncle was getting anxious.  I think he was nervous about driving home from the nursing home in the dark on icy roads.  I really can't blame him either.  Luckily, he made it home safely. 

Me and Lucas at Edna's - having our first Lunchboxes!



After our crazy day, Lucas and I went to the mall to get some after Christmas deals and spend some Christmas cash!  We got some great deals at our favorite store - Express!  Then we headed over to Edna's to have a lunchbox.  That was fun because neither of us had ever been there or experienced a Lunchbox before.  I just had one, but I think Lucas had 3!  Afterwards, we went by my mom's to pick up Cade.

Cade and Santa Dylan and Momma Claus



All the Ketchum Grandkids who were there - and Santa Dylan


Even if you're dressed like Santa, you're still Nana's baby! 



Lucas Grandparents with their children, Jenny, Jamie, and Steve



Lucas, Me and Cade with Santa Dylan


Cade running around during the snowball fight



Grady getting a snowball ready to go!



The snowball that Lucas tossed toward Cade



Lucas and Brad attacking Shecoeta


Sunday morning we were ready to do Christmas all over again!  LOL  I got up around 10 and started making homemade chocolate chip cookies fast and furiously!  I think I made close to 75 cookies.  22 of them went into 11 Christmas goodie bags that I made for Lucas' younger cousins and nieces.  The rest were eaten that day and night.  They were some of the best cookies I've ever made, if I must say so myself!  We went to Lucas' grandmas Sunday around 12:30.  We had snacks and a light lunch.  We opened presents and Lucas' cousin Dylan dressed up like Santa for all the little kids.  He made a wonderful Santa.  I think all the smaller kids really enjoyed it.  We adults enjoyed it too.  It was fun seeing Dylan get so involved in what was going on!  After food and presents all the kids (as well as Lucas, Brad, and Shecoeta) went outside for a snowball fight!  I went out and took pictures (there was no way I was getting involved!)  Lucas and Brad had fun sticking snow down the back of Shecoeta's shirt.  (must stink being the only girl cousin in that bunch - she's always getting picked on!)  Cade was so cute because after Lucas was done playing with all the bigger kids, he walks over and says, "Play with me, Daddy."  He was all sad because his daddy had been chasing the bigger kids with snowballs and taking it easy on him.  It was really sweet to see that he was so desperate for his daddy's attention.  So of course, Lucas chased Cade around and threw (or really tossed) a snowball at him.  Cade thought it was great!  (I would've been ticked if he threw on at me!  LOL)

After leaving Lucas' grandparents, Shecoeta and her two youngest (Grady and Carter) came home with us to wait for Bodie to get back into town with the 4 oldest boys (D, G, Chandler, and Brayden).  Lucas and Grady played NCAA Football 2010 on PS3 while Shecoeta and I sat on the couches and relaxed.  Bodie showed up a couple of hours later with the older boys - who all decided to come back after their basketball practice and spend the night.  They all stayed up late with Lucas playing football on PS3.  Those 4 boys are full of energy and keep things quite lively! 

Unfortunately, Lucas woke up at 2:30 Monday morning with the stomach virus that has been going around - and he was so kind to share with me.  Luckily, all the boys had already had it (in fact, I think they shared it with us!) - so we didn't have to worry about them getting it.

We really had a wonderful Christmas.  The snow put a damper on things on Christmas Day.  However, I just made the decision that Christmas Day is any day that you make it.  So, in my heart Saturday Dec. 26 was actually Christmas.  Honestly, to me it even felt like Christmas - very few times did I even realize that it wasn't.  I think Christmas is about family and tradition.  As long as you're with family and celebrating your traditions, Christmas is whatever day you want it to be! 

Me and Lucas at Coyote Ugly



Me and Sara at Coyote Ugly



Lucas and Shecoeta at Coyote Ugly



Me and Sara's friend, Heather, dancing on the bar
I always have fun when there are girls to dance with!



Me, Lucas and JW - gotta love this guy... if it weren't for him me and Lucas may have never met...



Bodie and Lucas dancing at Coyote Ugly



Heather, Jennifer, Sara, Me and Shecoeta at Coyote



Shecoeta wanted a pic with all of us and the Coyote Girls - they all looked so cute that night!



What I'm sure is the best benefit of working at Coyote - right, JW?


Ok, this blog is getting long, but I also want to include pictures from New Years.  New Years was lots of fun.  Lucas and I went to Coyote Ugly with Bodie and Shecoeta and Sara and her two friends Heather and Jennifer.  There was lots of fun to be had for all.  Me and Sara and her girls danced on the bar and made sure to have a crazy good time.  Lucas, Bodie and Shecoeta took lots of tequila shots - and of course Bodie made sure everyone around him was taking lots of tequila shots as well - except for me!  It was a great night - ringing in the New Year with great friends!

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