This year our tree was a little bit different. But it was still just as fun to decorate.

Note, the little leopard box at the bottom of the tree is the two cats christmas. They each got a little cat house. Ok... so it is a little overboard to give your pets presents, but there you are.













This was my christmas... We remodeled the downstairs bathroom. We had to after remodeling the kitchen. We just updated all the fixtures, tiled the walls up to the chair rail, added a granite countertop and repainted a more updated color. It was fun to work on a project with Jay. We do so well together if I don't say so myself.

God Bless us Everyone!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Today is Christmas Day 2006. I love Christmas. I love the season, the pleasures, the smiles, the joy in all. People you meet at the store, on the street, or even in your own neighborhood are saying hello and wishing you a happy holiday. What a different place the world would be if we could be like this all year long.

The Harpers have had a wonderful holiday. It is just the four of us, and for now we like it that way. The kids were well taken care of in the way of presents, but they also gave as many as they got. They are great boys. We watched a few home movies from Christmas's past -- ok, way past, like 16 years ago. It is amazing how time flies. And to look at it we are doing the same things on the holiday. We still like to spend time as a family. We still have a big dinner, and are too stuffed the rest of the day to do anything. We still watch movies all day long, and Jaron still has a house full of friends. :) Can't make for a better holiday.

But most of all, we still wish for all our friends and family the best holiday wishes we can muster. We miss our extended families during the holidays, but thanks to the internet and telephone, we can still be together to share the day.

Five days to go......

Have you ever noticed that the days just drag when Christmas is only a few days away? It isn't that we are ready for the holiday, shopping isn't done, Christmas cards aren't done, and the holiday meal isn't even planned.... But, I don't really want to be at work so the days just drag.

Jay and I got the tile job finished last night. Jaron had a meeting at church so we didn't even get started on the tile until 9:00 p.m. Between grouting and then the cleaning of the grout it was a really late night. I tried to do a little cleaning too so the house wasn't a complete shamble.... Still, Jarons first question this morning? "Why is the floor so dirty? I can feel sand under my feet." He is so much help!

We have a little news on Jace's car. The insurance adjuster is headed out today or tomorrow to look at it. It could be good news or bad... The good news: his car is only 3 years old, the body is still in perfect condition (with the exception of the wheel well), and it has retained it's value because of the Spec V engine. The bad news: the Spec V engine is worth a lot at salvage, it is disabled which is a really bad sign, and Jace is still a teenager.

Boy, do I need a holiday!

Talk about a weekend!

I love the weekend, but I would rather be at work than go through another like the last one. Being so close to Christmas you would think that our lives would be merry and divine for one whole month.... Oh, but not so....

I was in California for work last week. I didn't get home from CA until late Friday night. I don't recommend flying the same weekend that most college students get out and decide to head home for the holidays. Or maybe it was just those people leaving early for their holiday plans, so as to miss the rush.... Guess What! They didn't miss it. It is only a 1.2 hour flight from CA to AZ but I was very glad to get off that plane, and out of airports.

While I was in CA the dryer went out... No dryer... And the repair people can't show up until Monday. Good thing we have lots of clothes.

Saturday we were supposed to be working on the remodeling of the bathrooms. We had some of the fixtures out and all the stuff ready to tile. We had to get the toilet and sink out. Of course, that is the day the connector under the sink breaks so we can't turn off the hot water. It just spins and spins.... Time to call the plumber. Of course, he cant get there until Monday so no tiling over the weekend. And the real kicker!!!!!.....

>>>>> Anyone reading this from conception knows that Jace loves his car. It is his baby. Well, drumroll please, Jace had a little accident. Of course, the good news is he avoided a big accident (narrowly) but hit the curb with the side of his right front tire. Now his car is out of commission. I felt so bad for him, he loves that car. Our fear is that the damage underneath will cause them to decide to total it. We try to realize all is well, because.... Jace and his friends weren't hurt.

...... Saturday night was a friends Christmas party. None of us were much in the partying mood after Jace's near accident but we went. But Jay didn't end up feeling well and we left with him very ill. What a way to have a party.

..... Sunday we went to church. Monday Jay and I ended up staying home. We had the plumber and the appliance repair on the way, We had to have Jace's car towed to the body shop (after the third tow they got it to the right place) and we had to get the cat to the vet. One of our cats is sick. We think she has an infection.

By 10:00 Monday evening both bathrooms were tiled and ready for grout and I am now completely exhausted.....

...... Anyone for a trade?

I am Jaron!

Jaron had to write something for school. I liked it so much I thought you might too....

I am kind and honest to my friends and family.
I wonder what I will be like in the future.
I hear holiday music.
I see chrismas lights and trees.
I want everyone to be happy.
I am kind and honest to my friends and family.

I pretend I am a magic swordsmen.
I feel that some of my friends are not real friends.
I touch the Xbox 360 controller every day.
I worry that we may go into another world war soon.
I cry when people die for no reason.
I am kind and honest to my friends and family.

I understand school ,but I still don't want to go.
I say that everyone can be happy if they try.
I dream that I can make a difference in the world.
I try to do my best, but sometimes it is not good enough.
I hope that the world will someday be at peace.
I am kind and honest to my friends and family.

The hustle and bustle of the holidays!

Christmas time is truly here, and our house is constantly full of cheer. We sing and laugh, and dance around. Bells a tingle, such a pleasant sound. No bundling up, no wet sloshy snow, we just flit here and there, wherever we want to go. The boys are both angels, and the dog running merrily. The cats play in the tree, and Jay does the caroling. The house all aglow with a multitude of lights, and a santa mom punches who can't put up a fight. Christmas is here and we just love the season. When January comes maybe we will have gained back our reason....

This week has been hectic for me. Flying in and out of Sacramento, getting family back to their homes, Jay's brother visiting us during the week. But you know, we still got our christmas shopping done. The boys were hilarious buying for each other. They are so much into the same things that they couldn't really hide what they were getting for each other. We would go to one aisle, oops, there was Jace looking. They would come to a new aisle, there was Jaron and I looking. It happened all night long. They did the best they could though. I am always glad when the shopping is done so I can freting over the cost and start anticipating the holidays. We also did the shopping for Toys for Tots last night. Jaron had a hard time looking through the dolls and barbies. We chose a few of each and he had to get out of the whole aisle. You would think they would poison him or something. We ended up with a large number of boy items and a fair number of girl items. We won't see the childrens faces when they open a new toy, but it is very pleasing to know that someone will get to open it.

Just check out that smile on Jaron!

You think he is a little excited or what!

Weekend Needed: To rest from the weekend!

Do you ever feel like you went through a tornado, but you never saw it coming or leaving? Our weekend was so busy, fun, and exciting, even the boys couldn't seem to get up this morning. Family visiting is always exciting but with everything else planned it was just a whirlwind.

I do have to thank our families for joining us over the weekend. I know it meant a lot to Jaron. And it meant a lot to Jay and I.

Now it is back to the workweek. Jaron got his braces off last week and gets retainers this week. Jace has to get his cap and gown ordered for graduation at the end of the year. I have to spend one day in Sacramento CA for work and start my christmas shopping. Jay has work and taking care of all of us. I thought the whirlwind would be over now, but looks like it is just beginning.