Uncle Pete

My Uncle Pete passed away on Dec. 26th. He was 56 years young. His body seemed to give out on him. He had lots of blockage in his intestines. After several surgeries over almost two months they took him off the machines on the 26th. My Uncle Pete and my Aunt Donna (my Dad's sister) were the only family members outside of our own house that supported my brother, sisters, and I as we were growing up. They attended every concert, recital, contest, program, etc. that we were involved in. My Uncle Pete has an identical twin, Alan. That was hard to see Alan at the funeral. I can't imagine what that must be like for my Aunt Donna. My Aunt Donna and Uncle Pete were married for 38 years and have one child Dianna (my cousin) and four grandchildren.

My Cutie

Check out my cute girl. (pics below)

Easy Bake Fun

Alea (and I) made her first Easy Bake Oven masterpiece tonight. She used the mix and made a yellow cake with chocolate icing. I never had an Easy Bake Oven so she and I knew about the same amount about using the oven. Davin however turned out to be the expert as his sister had an Easy Bake Oven when she was a child. See the picture below of Alea with her Ace of Cake.

Christmas 2008

The great part about having young children is that they can't tell time and they can't read a calendar. Davin and I are known for not celebrating the holidays on the actual holidays. This year Santa came to our house early (since there are SOOO many children he has to see and because we are going to Grandma Jo's house for the 23d thru the 25th and then off to Texas on the 26th.) Alea really enjoyed her Christmas. She got an Easy Bake Oven , clothes, Barbies, and of couse...a baby doll.

I will be surprised if Alea makes it to the end of the week still believing in Santa Clause. When we went to Beaches in Jamaica she had just turned three and she very gently broke the news to me that Elmo wasn't real and that there was a person under there. So once again last year she gently told me that Mickey Mouse, Goofy, etc. all had a person inside of them. (Of course, Cinderella is real she tells me.) Yesterday she asked me if there was a man under Santa Clause's outfit. I asked her what she meant and she said, "MOM, JUST TELL ME THE TRUTH." I told her there was a man under there. She let it go and still believes, but I do not know how much longer it will go. Sometimes she believes so that Mommy and Daddy won't be upset. Not because we know the truth but because we still believe. She is so smart. How many four year olds figure out the santa thing?!

The strange thing is the she knows God is real without a doubt. How do children know when to have faith?

Disney Cruise

We are excited to have booked a 3 night Disney cruise. We will be going at the end of my spring break in March. Right now they have a kids cruise for free offer and it is the best price I have ever seen for a Disney Cruise. I am very excited. I REALLY needed something to look forward to (that gets me away from my job.) Alea and I will probably spend the first part of the week in Texas with Aunt Becky, Uncle Pat, and Reed. She is hoping to get an extra week off and have my spring break be her last week of maternity leave. (It all depends on when Reed decides to join us.)

Merry Christmas

I am officially on Christmas break!!!! Merry Christmas to all!

It's the Holidays

Alea gets sick almost every holiday season throughout the year. This year is no exception. She is running a fever right now. Davin will be home with her tomorrow. We'll see what the doctor says.