Back in the summer we started the process of refurbishing a 150 gallon aquarium set-up. After many hours of work, research, picking out fish and corals, designing the rock layout...here is what our aquarium looks like now. Everything is thriving and we still have a few more corals to add. I've shown a couple of early stage pictures to give you a reference of how much has been added.
I don't know what it is about New Year's Eve and home projects. Last year we built benches for our bar and this year we made loft beds and book shelves for the kids rooms. Jason managed to get a new table saw for cutting all the wood and I got a few new paint brushes. After a lot of sanding and a few coats of paint I think the finished product turned out nice. Ethan and Rachel's bedrooms are small and this gave them a lot more room and a nice reading/play area under their beds.
Santa brought Ethan his first remote control airplane. The plane is tiny but he's just learning and it's perfect for flying indoors. Rachel got an EZ Bake Oven, look out Betty Crocker and Sarah Lee, she's getting good at making cakes and frosting them too. As for me and Jason, underneath that red blanket Santa brought us the best and most expensive gift ever, an Allura Tempur-pedic mattress. 
I'm sorry I have not mailed Christmas cards yet; the blog will have to do for now. My week in Montana (see older post below) didn't help my Christmas to do list. We hope you all have a safe and wonderful MERRY CHRISTMAS!
The kids were so excited about their Christmas program. They told me they practiced their songs really hard at school and I thought tonight couldn't get here fast enough. Rachel's class sang about the Virgin Mary and Ethan's class sang Go Tell It on the Mountain. This program brought back memories for me of being in grade school, the message is so simple yet the story never gets old. We are a very blessed family and I can't believe my babies are in kindergarten and first grade. The dress Rachel is wearing is mine from when I was 5 years old. I was hesitant to let her wear it but she refused to wear anything else. When I find the picture of me in this dress I'll post both of them together. We are definitely twins just 26 years apart :-)
Jesus is the reason for the Season!
I missed our squadron Christmas party again, last year I was at my brother's wedding and this year Jason sent me out of town. The theme was NERDY. While Jason was taking me to the airport and I knew he would be going solo to the party, I told him he should go as the BULLY. I think the pictures speak for themselves but he nailed the bully look complete with tattoos, piercings, and even a Mohawk. I knew as soon as the kids saw him dressed like this I would be getting a phone call. Rachel called to tell on her daddy for piercing his ear and wearing tattoos. Jason explained to them that he was going to a "joke party" and then they thought it was funny.
Are you ready for a story? This might be my longest blog post yet. Jason pulled off the biggest surprise to date for my birthday this year. The day before my birthday he sent me out to lunch and to a spa for rest and relaxation with a good friend. Perfect present and little did I know that was just to throw me off for what I would be in store for the next morning. My birthday morning started off with all I could ever want; Jason, Ethan and Rachel waking me up with their cards and presents in hand for me to open. My day was complete until Jason told me to turn my card over and read the back, I quickly learned that I was leaving on a jet plane and had to be at the airport in about 2 hours. Following are all the thoughts that ran through my head in about 10 seconds: All eyes were on me for my reaction, I wanted to cry but didn't because I didn't want Ethan and Rachel to think I was upset. I wanted to jump on the bed and scream but again, Ethan and Rachel are watching me and jumping on the bed gets you in big trouble at our house. Then shock set in and all the things I had to do in the coming week started running through my head. Oh, I still have to pack and the kids have to be at school in an hour, I need to get breakfast ready, how did Jason keep such a surprise from me, Becky knows and kept it secret too, sooo sneaky. I gave everybody a hug and jumped out of bed only to stand there and literally ask myself out loud, where do I start? Yes, suitcase would be a good place to start. All the while Jason is enjoying every moment of watching me freak out because I am by no means a spontaneous person and unless it's on my calendar or to do list, it doesn't exist. We got the kids ready and Jason took them to school while I continued freaking out and throwing clothes in my suitcase. Did I mention we had one of the busiest weekends ever and my house is wrecked and laundry is 3 loads away from being done? Oh well, as Jason put it to me that morning, "click the accept button and just pack your suitcase, that's all you have time to do". I could go on with more details but I made it to Montana to see my BFF and her four kids. I stayed at the Daw Bed & Breakfast complete with my own master suite, made to order meals, and endless entertainment from the kiddos. Elf was the feature movie, and Speed was the card game of the week. I experienced frozen nose hairs again and it quickly reminded me that I did NOT miss the cold weather. I'll take the heat over cold any day, even with 100% humidity. My week was great and it went by too quick. What a birthday and what a week. I am so blessed!
Santa made another special trip down from the North pole this year to deliver presents to all the kids of the 45th AS. I don't think I will ever get over how awesome this is for the kids. I even think it's pretty neat, talk about Christmas spirit!
Jason took his personal trainer with him on his jog tonight. Rachel had to wear a reflective belt, just like her daddy. She rode her bike to make sure he ran fast enough :-)
