Toadfrogs and Elephants

Wade and I decided to forgo church in the traditional sense. Instead, we built a fire and listened to a sermon we had missed in the current series from the comfort of our couch. To sound at least a little productive, we did reconnect the doorbells. We accidentally cut the wrong wire when we had rewired my basement (a long time ago), but had never fixed the problem. Lots of people would push the nonworking doorbell and never knock on the door.

We spent New Year’s at the Floyds’. They had a few couples over for dinner and games. They introduced us to Attack Uno, which I lost. They also had Pictionary. I haven’t played that since I was a kid. They had a large wipe board on an easel and my team won – all because of me, I’m sure. Welcome 2007!

Wade and I decided we hadn’t traveled enough so hopped in the car and drove to Atlanta for the day. We stopped at the outlets in Commerce, GA and made a few returns. Then we drove straight to Perimeter Mall and had a meal with Mindy and Andy. They are in the middle of moving to Syracuse, NY but spent the holidays in Atlanta. We ate and then sat and talked for a couple of hours. The waiter was very nice and even kept our glasses full. We tried to convince Mindy and Andy to skip out on their dinner plans and join us for the GaTech vs. Saint Francis game, but they are too nice for that. Wade’s guilt trip didn’t even make a difference.

Wade and I enjoyed our first game this year at the Coliseum. I have a new favorite player – Jeremis Smith. I think every player on our team got at least a few minutes of playing time. Saint Francis tried, but we still blew them out of the water. The final score was 87-43. Go Yellow Jackets!

Happy Birthday Emily!

My dad was into trains during his childhood. His mother (my grandmother) saved everything so the train is still around and in excellent shape. I have always been fascinated by train sets, but I have never had one. At some point in the moving and cleaning out of my grandmother’s house, my dad passed the train to me. Wade and I have had it in our attic, but never tried to get it running. We decided to pull it out tonight and see what was what. We have determined there are some pieces missing and the track looks “weathered”. However the Lionel name still means a lot so we are doing our research and plan to put the dining room floor to good use – at least until Wade builds us a table.

Tubbles is now a healthy, active dog. She has lost about 20 pounds and her limp seems to have disappeared. (Did I mention she is looking for a home if anyone wants to adopt her?) She also has an adorable face. You wouldn’t think she would be responsible for my busted lip, but she is. I leaned down as she raised her head – bam. I now have a swollen lip that is turning purple. I’ll let everyone think Wade was responsible. No one would believe the dog did it.

And since I was taking pictures, here is one of Madison burrowing into the couch for a nap.

Wade and I are starting to get the house back in order. We are slowly finding homes for all of our presents. Two of my favorite gifts are the frog pictures now hung in the guest bathroom.

Wade and I spent most of the day at his grandparents’ house. We had breakfast, including Judy’s famous coffee cake, and then gathered around the Christmas Tree. Papa didn’t like waiting his turn to open a gift and would often dive right in. Granny continued the tradition of giving Wade toothpaste. Wade had considered returning the favor and giving Granny an AOL CD, but didn’t in the end.

The Broach Family

The best gift had a tag that read to Judy from Jerry. Included in the gift was a heartfelt letter thanking her for all she does. The actual gift was the unlabeled cans from the white elephant exchange (picture below). Emily and Brian were the masterminds and deserve full credit. The family also has fake dog poo that gets passed around at Christmas. It appeared again this year as a gift to Uncle John. This Christmas is always full of laughs. Did I mention when Granny started making condom jokes? Papa had been saying condiment and didn’t get the whole word out fast enough…

We got back to Mom’s house and all took a nap. Then the Upshaws, minus Liza, appeared for our last Christmas. The Toadfrogs and Elephants weren’t all there, but we took our traditional picture anyway.

Dad, Laura, Ken, Sonya, Guy, Wade, and I all got ready early for church at the lake. After church we picked up a car in Calvert City and drove it back to Paducah to help out the Sieners. Then it was time for brunch – cheese grits, ham, and crabs. On full stomachs we went upstairs and opened presents. I got the best Christmas present – a new computer. And it is RED! I didn’t actually get it yet, but it should be shipped to my house sometime next week.

After presents, Wade and I drove to my mom’s house. We each opened a present and then did a lot of cooking and packing of the cars.

Surprisingly, my family was the first to appear at Grandma’s House. We are normally always the last, especially since the rest of the family lives within walking distance. We unloaded the cars, helped a little with cooking, and then got to eating. I love family meals with my Grandmother’s homemade macaroni and cheese. I only get it a few times a year. I actually had three plates full. It was very odd at Grandma’s – Jeremy, Christina, Addi, Melissa, and Chris were all missing this year. We had a fun time and then headed to the candlelit ceremony at church.

The Jenkins Family

We got back to mom’s house around 11:30 pm. We were all tired and decided to open only a few presents. I warmed up some El Chico cheese and chips and we got started and forgot to stop. Mom even found a few items I had wanted that were no longer for sale. We opened all of our presents and didn’t go to bed till 2 am.

Wade stayed up most of the night preparing his mom’s Christmas present (a new computer). After a big family breakfast we got to opening presents. The best present was given by Judy to Brian. Evidently Brian had gotten two large unlabeled cans as a white elephant gift at Wesley in Murray. Emily thought it would be funny to have Judy wrap them up and give them to him again at this Christmas. Brian took it in good grace.

We all had a quick lunch and headed to Kentucky. Emily and Brian drove to Murray. Judy and Jerry drove to Reidland. Wade and I drove to Paducah. We stopped by mom’s house and then Wade dropped me off at Amy’s house for Christmas with the Fab Four. We weren’t together long, but it was fun to catch up. Johnna even brought her step-daughter, Taylor.

Johnna dropped me at mom’s house. Then Wade and I packed up and headed to Dad’s house. Laura cooked a fantastic meal and then we all enjoyed Dad’s new outdoor hot tub.