Another Great Play

The Moran Clan went to TokyoHana for dinner on Christmas Eve after our church service. TokyoHana is essentially the Lake Highlands version of Benihana. The 5 of us sat at a hibachi grill while the cook prepared our food right in front of us, tricks and all. This was our kids first experience with hibachi grills, and they loved it!

At the end of the meal our sweet Japanese waitress asked the kids if they would like some ice cream. Of course they did! She then asked my kids, "You want BANILLA?"

Kyle's response: "What, what is that! Is that like Spanish for Vanilla?"

Nice one Kyle! (A little side note: Matt and I have resorted to speaking in Spanish often lately because our kids are too old now to figure things out whenever we spell words.)

Minutes later Kyle was served the "banilla" ice cream. He didn't really like it,so he proceeded to slide it across the table towards me. I stuck my hand out and actually caught it as it was flying off the table.

Kyle's response: "Another great play by Mommy!"

Today we went to our little cabin in the woods outside of Fairfield, Texas, otherwise known as "The Land". Kyle wanted a banana for breakfast, so I told him to bring it to me so I could open it for him. Rather than walking it over to me, he hurled it across the room. The banana hit the side of the bunk bed and landed on the floor. When Kyle walked over to it, he noticed the peel was split in half.

Kyle's response: "Another great play by Kyle!"

Whisper Down The Lane...More Like a Yell

A friend of mine once told me she uses the "whisper down the lane" method for gifts.  She tells her kids what she wants, the kids then tell her husband, and she gets what she wants without technically asking for it.  So about a week ago, I thought I would try the whisper down the lane method this year for Christmas.  I told Lauren to tell Daddy I would like gas logs.  About 5 hours later when he walked in the door from work, sweet Lauren shouted out, "Daddy, Mommy wants gas logs for Christmas!"  So much for the gas logs, because Matt doesn't really like to get me things I ask for--he likes to surprise me.  

So today, Matt left for the day to go "Christmas shopping."  He took the Suburban, and I have a feeling his shopping involved installing a DVD player in the car.  We will soon see.  I could be wrong, but I am pretty good at figuring out his surprises---except for the time he completely took me off guard by a surprise trip to the Virgin Islands for our 10 year anniversary.  And he also pulled off a surprise 30th birthday party for me.  So, I guess I am really NOT that good at figuring out his surprises.  

Last year we cut down our Christmas tree from "The Land".  This year, we unfortunately did not have time to go down to Fairfield to cut one down.  So this year, we had to resort to actually purchasing a live tree. We first went to Lowe's and they were basically sold out.  We then went to Home Depot and there were 2 trees left.  They were quite wimpy.  I told the man I didn't want to pay full price for such a wimpy tree--serves us right for waiting so long to buy one.  So here is our Christmas tree this year.  Not so bad for $43!  

MERRY CHRISTMAS 

from the

family ! ! !

Santa's Email

A friend of mine brought Luke home from school today because Lauren was not feeling well. She asked Luke what he wanted for Christmas.  His response was, "Nothing."  

She then proceeded to ask Luke if he was going to write Santa a letter to tell him about all the things he wanted for Christmas.  He responded, "I am just going to e-mail him." 

It is a good thing he wants nothing because I am not so sure Santa has e-mail!

Let it Snow!

OK so it seemed to have just snowed in White Rock Valley (our neighborhood). Here is our house with snow. The kids did NOT get a snow day, but I do think this is the most snow White Rock Elementary has ever seen!   

The kids built a snowman over at a friends house, and here he is a day later when the snow melted. 

With all the snow, I decided to break out my sewing machine, dust it off, and put it to some use to make some new stockings for the Moran Clan.  Notice there is only one...it may be 4 more Christmases before we get a full set of 5!  I am not so sure the hubby is going to like them; however, Lauren and I think they are FABULOUS!

A Win Win Situation---Not So Much a Winner!

OK, mommy had the brilliant idea:  I told my kids they could have 10 cents for each Christmas card they hand deliver.  We save 32 cents, and we all get to spend some time as a family riding bikes through the neighborhood.  I thought they would love it!  It all sounded great in theory.  We turned around after the 3rd block and headed back home.  Needless to say, almost everyone we sent a card to will now be receiving a stamped one.  This is not our Christmas Card photo because that would have been too easy, but here are our kids, Christmas 2008.  (The Moran kids were 0-1-3 for basketball this day.)  Again, not so much a winning day, but a winner of a picture---thank you Mr. Thomas and Santa!