V Alexandra's 11th BirthdayV
December 8, 2008
Alexandra's 11th birthday was Monday and the celebrating began before 6:30 a.m. A tradition in our home (for our kids) is breakfast in bed. She woke up to apple/cranberry bread, sliced bananas and cranberry juice; not to mention video and camera production. After finishing breakfast and opening a couple of gifts (so she could wear them to school) she was off to school.
Rich and I surprised her at school during lunch time and met some of her school friends.
Rich had to meet with a church for a "20 minute work meeting" (actual time - one hour) located 40 miles from home. Being that it was Alexandra's b-day, we all went. While he was in the meeting the kids and I sat in the van watching a Christmas movie. All was good. Since we were 40 miles from home we planned to eat dinner after the meeting at a Japanese restaurant in this particular town. Hibachi grills are always a hit at any age.
It was 9:00 p.m. when we left the restaurant with a 40 minute drive home and a couple more gifts to open! Sixteen hours after Alexandra's day had begun she was opening her last gift. Needless to say, we had some sleepy heads the next morning. All in all, I would say Alexandra had a good birthday. 
Clock Radio with Ipod dock and nature sounds
Necklace Leighton made
$ and potholder loom from G-ma Marilyn
THE NEXT DAY
~Y~ Our 19th Wedding Anniversary ~Y~
December 9, 2008
We began a tradition last year (why we didn't start it sooner, I'm not sure) that Rich takes the day off work and we go out for breakfast and then do Christmas shopping. We did that once again this year and had a very enjoyable day. What could be better? Breakfast out, shopping and doing it all with the one you love. awww.One of our favorite restaurants and one that we've celebrated several wedding anniversaries is Maggiano's. This year was no exception - except . . . we took the kids with us. We had a very nice evening with great food and some reminiscing along the way. We'll not soon forget the prayer that Leighton prayed for our food - something to the effect ". . . and thank you for the greatest parents that I love so much and for letting them get married. I think that's just great because they brought us with them . . ." Out of the mouth of babes; I think his heart was revealed in that prayer.
The lemon cookies our kids die for at Maggiano's. Olivia took it upon herself to ask our waiter if they did anything special for anniversaries. Of course they do! They stick three candles in the dessert of your choice, light them and stick you with the bill. We were going to order lemon cookies anyway. ;o)
