Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Santa visited, kids had a good time, and I don't have to work today (which is a change). So we're planning a lazy day of playing and watching movies (we already have Barbie and The Christmas Carol rolling as we speak).

Hope everyone enjoys their day and has a great end of the year. 2009, coming soon!

Our Christmas Card Blog...

Okay, okay, so it's kind of a copout for one of those cool letters that people put out, but we have a computer, and we're darn well gonna use it! So here goes!

Alright... so... yeah. It's pretty late here, and I'm debating if I wanna do this tonight. :) But, I'm determined!

Let's start with pictures---I'm looking through some pictures and they are ranging from Ryan taking Karate, Sierra in dance class, Mommy at Disneyland, and Daddy at Spring Training. I'm also seeing trips to San Diego, Utah, Anaheim, and Arizona. There's Ryan's preschool graduation and first day of kindergarten. Sierra's first day of preschool... trick or treating, SNOW in Vegas!

It's been a fun year. It's gone by really fast... I know people say that all the time, but I'm pretty sure this has been the quickest year I can remember! We're truly lucky to have had such a good time and to have been able to share it with family and friends.

So what's to come? Well... Ryan is excelling in school. His teacher says the main thing he needs to work on is opening up and being willing to make a mistake (wonder where he got that from...). He really enjoys it and we're lucky his teacher seems to be a good one. We're looking forward to Ryan continuing to play soccer, and we're looking to get him into t-ball, so we can be of use in practicing. :)

Sierra is having a great time in preschool. She goes twice a week and it's making us wonder if we should send her to Kindergarten next year. She is right on the borderline, and we're considering waiting a year just to give her every advantage possible. But, she seems ready emotionally, and frankly, she'd be bored without her brother to pick on all day long. She'll continue in her dance class and will likely have another big recital this summer. Make the trip to Vegas--it's worth it!

As for us? We're just old. :) Okay, not old, but kinda set in our ways for 30-year olds. Not that we can complain... things are great! Lorey's stayed busy (especially lately) with church activities, family projects, and taking care of all of us. We're blessed to have her, and would be lost without her. Believe me, did you see Sierra's hair when I had her? Not good.

Me? Same old thing... with a twist, I guess. I've been lucky enough this year to attend a few Jazz games, and it's been a blast so far. I get to take Ryan next month, which should be great. He's wanted to go since the season started, and now it's his turn! I'm kind of a junky as far as the Jazz, but I'm pretty sure I haven't hidden that at all. :) So, I'll keep working, but playing as much as possible---I think we've all earned it a little bit.

Well, I'm sure I'm leaving a ton of details out... but why spoil it? I am planning on being a better blogger this coming year. Yes, I'm putting it in writing, although I'm pretty sure I do that every year with mixed results. :) So, I'll leave you with one more picture and our wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, along with a great New Year!

Um, check that...

Yeah, okay, so I said it didn't snow... well...

I take it back.

It is pretty crazy out there. The airport was closed to traffic in and out because runways can't be de-iced (no equipment). The roads were closed in certain areas, and we just heard some lady took 4 hours to drive 10 miles. Nutty.

So, school's closed tomorrow (first snow day in about 30 years they said...) and hopefully I'll eventually make it to work in the morning. I've got a few more pictures I'll try and get up here in the next little bit.

Snow update...

...it didn't.

At least not on this side of town. It did snow on the west side of town, but that's waaaay over there, so it's not relevant. :)

But, it was cold, rainy, and pretty ugly for Vegas. And yes, I get it. It's winter and cold all over. We're just spoiled, I guess. Can I at least complain in August? ;)

Vegas' attempt at Christmas?

So I was just checking the weather when I read that it's supposed to snow down to 2000 feet sometime tomorrow morning. Which, the last time I checked, is the Las Vegas valley! Hello? Yes, it's snowed here before, and yes, I can handle it, but c'mon...

Okay, so it said it'd be a whopping 1 inch that wouldn't stick for long, but still I have to drive with these people. Here's wishing me luck... :)

Beyond that, we've been just running and going the last few weeks preparing for the holidays and having a good time. I was lucky enough to get up to Utah and see the Jazz play Toronto with Mark, and old friend from pharmacy school. It was a great game and fun to see the Jazz crush up on a team. We all took the trip, and although it was short, it was fun.

This past week on Thursday, I flew up by myself to see the Jazz (yes, I'm spoiled--no, I'm not apologizing :) ) with B.J. and another victory for the Jazz! Oh, and there were many, many victories in the competition of "Super Shot basketball," air hockey, regular basketball, car racing, and pretty much everything else. The culmination of the night was the final Super Shot game. Neither of us had put up a 70 point game yet, and I offered to buy dinner if I didn't put up the seven-oh. 82 points later and a pulled pork sandwich was in my possession with love from the youngest Crane brother.

The kids are finishing up school before the holidays and are doing great. They both really enjoy it and are working really hard. Sierra had a dance recital for Christmas and it was really cute. Don't count on the video, but if I pull my head out, I'll get it up. Lorey's made the house look really Christmassy and I'm sure the holiday will be a blast.

I'll try and keep things posted---I'm thinking of using Facebook as a medium to do so as well. My BlackBerry really likes Facebook, and it's pretty simple to use. So, come find me/us there if you haven't already.

Until later! :)

*Hmm... I think I have the picture of when it snowed here a few years back. Better go check. Yep, I did. :)