You know, over a week ago, when I said I probably wouldn't blog until 2008, I didn't realize two things. First, just how long a little over a week without blogging feels like. I feel like I haven't blogged in about three months. It's a very strange feeling, as if I am neglecting something. Which in a way, I guess I am.
The other thing I didn't realize was how right I was about not having time to blog. Every second seems to be taken up in this house. Maybe it's because there are over 25 of us and finding a quiet spot is nearly impossible. or maybe it's because I'm either talking or shopping or eating, with very little sleep, thanks to the late poker nights. Whatever it is - we have been so busy and it's been a great time.
Yesterday was a fun treat for Brian and I and my siblings and their spouses. My parents gave us each money to spend on Christmas for ourselves. This was the first time my parents have ever done anything like this, typically they spend every second in December shopping and wrapping for all seventy bajillion of us, but this year they gave the adult children money and also allotted a day for us to shop and have lunch together. And they would watch our children.
I wept when I opened the card. Not because of the money. But because we could go shopping without children.
So yesterday, we piled into cars, dined at a fine Mexican restaurant, complete with refried beans and margaritas and shopped for a long, long time. It was a super, duper, wonderful, much appreciated treat! (which included a stop at Starbucks, of course.)
I must go now, my early morning blogging retreat that I thought would take twenty minutes before breakfast has turned into a two hour long blogging fiasco. Therefore, I must go.
I will leave you with a few pictures.
Because there is plenty of picture taking going on.
And tongue contests going on.
You are viewing the smallest and largest tongue of the family. They're so lucky.
And group pictures going on at Mexican restaurants.
Okay, there is only one of those.
And poker pictures, too.
Happy New Year!