Time Capsule

I saw this fun idea online and thought we could give it a try. Today is kind of a special day: February 2. That means the date is 2/2/22. The idea I read was to have your child make a time capsule and open it up in eleven years, on the date 3/3/33! What fun! That would work out to Ledger being 21. As a 21 year old, I bet he would think it was pretty funny to see what he was into way back when he was 10.

I ran the idea past him and he thought it sounded pretty fun. We spent the afternoon picking out different things that he was willing to tuck away for 11 years, and even wrote himself a note, a message to the 21 year old him! He wouldn't let me read it, so it'll be a fun surprise for all of us when we open it. Can't wait!

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Winter Theater

Sure it's the middle of the worst blizzard of the season, but that doesn't mean I don't want to go out and see a movie! There's a movie I've been wanting to see for a few weeks now. I waited too long to see it at the M89 theater but was lucky that it came to the Regent Theater here in town. Monday and Tuesday nights we were too busy, so I told Diana that I was going to see it on Wednesday. As fate would have it, Wednesday morning brought in the biggest blizzard of the season! It was slow going getting home from work as all the roads were getting terrible. Clearly everyone was packing it in for a cold and blustery one. Well, not me! Even the six inches of snow and near whiteout conditions weren't enough to keep me going out to the theater! I pulled in and stomped through the snow and made it into the theater. I bought a ticket and went to the concession stand. Realizing I didn't see any other customers, I asked if I was the only one who showed up for the film. Turns out I was the only one who showed up for the movie! I wasn't going to do that to the employees- make them stick around for 2+ hours just for me! they probably want to get home and crawl under the blankets too. I asked if they could give me an IOU for the ticket and I'd come back and try again tomorrow. I warned them though: even if I'm the only one there tomorrow I'm going to stick around and watch the movie anyway! They were thankful and started shutting the place down. I did go back on Thursday and thankfully there were seven or eight other people who came to see it. I was glad that I got to see the movie in the theater and not be a jerk! 

Kerby Christmas

We had Christmas together, and with my family- now it's time to celebrate the holiday with Diana's family! We made a weekend of it and stayed with Barbara and James. We arrived on Saturday evening and got to hang out with them and let our dogs go crazy! Ledger showed off all his latest animations, which impressed everyone. Once we tucked the boy in for the night, the four of us hung out in the living room. James tried to find a movie that we could watch and when he eventually settled on one we started it and then promptly ignored it while we chatted and laughed the night away.

In the morning we made quick work of getting the place ready for the big gettogether. Mom & David and Dad came over around noon and we decided to order some Chinese food and made our own buffet, grabbing a little bit of everything. It was really delicious- so much tasty goodness! After lunch we all hung out and had a little 'free time'. Most of us just sat together and chatted, Ledger showed off his animations to his grandparents, James serenaded us on the piano (and even showed Ledge a few easy and cute songs).

Finally it was time for the main event: gifts! We exchanged a few gifts and had a delightful and silly evening with some of the gag gifts and good times. 

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New Years Eve

Celebrating New Year's hasn't really been a thing in our family. Sure, I used to back when I was younger, going to parties and whatnot. But it has never really been an important night for Diana and I since we've been married. Because of this, it has never been a thing for our son either. Now that he's 9, we decided to do a little something special to recognize the holiday. Earlier in the week when I was at the grocery store I picked up a bottle of sparkling grape juice for the occasion. We talked with Ledge a little bit earlier in the day about New Year's and how people celebrate. He thought it sounded cool- especially the part where he gets to stay up late! 

Most of the evening it was business as usual, doing our normal evening things, but once it hit bed time for Ledge, we instead told him he doesn't have to go to bed. He absolutely loved that part! At around 11pm we got out a few snacks, some glasses for the juice, and plopped down to watch the ball drop! I guess it has been a while since I watched a New Year's Eve special, because they were super lame! Though to be honest, that was what made it fun- we spent the next hour making fun of the ridiculous hosts and terrible bands as we switched between the different specials on TV. Ledge tried the sparkling grape juice and not surprisingly hated it. He doesn't like any carbonated drinks, and this one was no exception. Finally, by 12:15am we were all too tired to carry on this little charade. Off to bed with all of us- happy new year!

Cabin Substitute

Every year since I was in college, the guys and I have gone up to the cabin for a night of fun. Unfortunately we were not able to go last year because of that whole pandemic thing. We were pumped to be able to go back up this year! We started making plans and getting excited. And then I got word from my cousin (who owns the cabin) that there had been an infestation over the summer and he recommended that we do not go up there until it is dealt with. Oh no! Needless to say, we were absolutely crushed! Now we have to wait another year to go back to the cabin? Heartbreaking. In order to console ourselves, we decided that we should at least still get together. Dusty volunteered his house for us to enjoy an evening together crying about missing the cabin. All the usual suspects got together at Dusty's place: Aaron, Adam, Jon, Dusty, and I. Dusty had prepared a delicious meal and we spent the night laughing and catching up. Some of these guys I hadn't seen all year! It was so fantastic to see everyone again and have lots of laughs together. When Dusty's wife got home she even took a photo for us as we realized that this was an unofficial reunion of the Sidestreet Guys!

Merry Brinkmas

Last year we had to forgo the big family Christmas get together. We were excited that we wouldn't have to skip it again- and this time its in a new locale! With Mema and Papa moving this year, they were excited to have the whole family over to celebrate the holidays. They have a huge new basement, so Christmas was definitely at their place this year.

Soon after we got there we gathered around the dining table and played a couple of Mema's patented Christmas games! It always involves some sort of crazy chaos and lots of candy! The kids always look forward to game time because it also involves a lot of gift cards, and most of the kids are old enough to want gift cards to fast food places and gas stations! Ledger not so much, but he just trades them so he can get what he really wants: more candy.

Soon after the games the food was ready. We carried all the delicious plates down stairs and settled in for a fun evening of great food, lots of laughs, and some great gifts for the kids. Ledger spent most of the night taking pictures of family members with his new tablet and then animating little creatures coming out of their noses and ears...

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