Threatening & Merry Christmas

What sweet children I have until it's time to take a simple Christmas card picture. Once a year for as long as they have been alive, I can count on two fingers the easy picture I have taken. Most years it goes like this: "Alright. Time for pictures! Let's make it in two shots! (smile). It quickly deteriorates into threatening, pleading, sweating with Sam smiling and William acting like he is sitting on tacks. "I AM smiling!" "No you look like you are in pain. Now smile and lean in closer to your brother!" (And Now, a message from Mother Martyrdom)You know it falls on the mothers to document life through photography. Our lives go undocumented while our efforts are rewarded with derision from the family.
After the 15th photo attempt, Curt yells from the other room (he doesn't want to get near this) "Straighten up and smile for your mother!!" As a last resort I pull out the "Don't make me have to get your father." This actually brings a glimmer and so I call Curt in for support. Wouldn't you know it, one funny "Grandpa Face" gets the smile in the above picture.
Merry CHRISTmas everyone! We will see our Indiana/Kentucky friends and family between Christmas and New Year's!!

Cough, wheeze, hack...and a Sock Monkey

I suppose I have been lucky in the respiratory department until yesterday. I was having a hard time running the Melbourne Causeway. My throat was itchy, chest a little tight couldn't seem to really get going. That afternoon the boys and I drove down to "Skim City" near the beach to check out the skim boards and Indo boards. I couldn't even stand outside the shop without coughing! Then it dawned on me..."Red Tide". I had always heard about it and the nagging respiratory symptoms that accompany it, but we haven't had it in the area since we moved here in 2003. What a pain...Good excuse to get the house cleaned and ready for the Christmas decorating.
Curt and 3 of his friends from church road tripped to Atlanta for the SEC Championship this weekend. He had a great time! He really needed to get out and have a Mancation...he never does that. He may become a convert---SEC convert to make it clear :) The boys and I kept busy with YO-Yo Club and saw the movie "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium". It was GREAT! I was never really fond of Sock Monkeys until now!! I highly recommend it.