'Twas the Night Before Christmas. . .with a twist

When I was in Junior High (it could have been middle school), my parents took us kids to Fresno to one of the city museums for a "Mexican Christmas Celebration." There were MANY Christmas displays celebrating all cultures and Christmas traditions, but at 9 pm it was all about honoring the Mexican culture. There was mariachis and the reading of this poem.

Ever since college, I've always searched for it (found it) but never printed it off. Well, not this year. It is printed off and ready to go in my Christmas box after the holiday season. I hope you enjoy!

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the casa,
Not a creature was stirring -- Caramba! Que pasa?
Los ninos were tucked away in their camas,
Some in long underwear, some in pajamas,

While hanging the stockings with mucho cuidado
In hopes that old Santa would feel obligado
To bring all children, both buenos and malos,
A nice batch of dulces and other regalos.

Outside in the yard there arose such a grito
That I jumped to my feet like a frightened cabrito.
I ran to the window and looked out afuera,
And who in the world do you think that it era?

Saint Nick in a sleigh and a big red sombrero
Came dashing along like a crazy bombero.
And pulling his sleigh instead of venados
Were eight little burros approaching volados.

I watched as they came and this quaint little hombre
Was shouting and whistling and calling by nombre:
"Ay Pancho, ay Pepe, ay Cuco, ay Beto,
Ay Chato, ay Chopo, Macuco, y Nieto!"

Then standing erect with his hands on his pecho
He flew to the top of our very own techo.
With his round little belly like a bowl of jalea,
He struggled to squeeze down our old chiminea,

Then huffing and puffing at last in our sala,
With soot smeared all over his red suit de gala,
He filled all the stockings with lovely regalos --
For none of the ninos had been very malos.

Then chuckling aloud, seeming very contento,
He turned like a flash and was gone like the viento.
And I heard him exclaim, and this is verdad,
Merry Christmas to all, and Feliz Navidad!

Christmas Card List

Okay, I'm doing this really, really late, but I need addresses for Christmas cards. I'm posting the request on here because I don't have everyone's e-mail address (and if you do get an email after this post-my apologies). So, if you could send your info to us at ward_family_2005@hotmail.com , that would be great. Thanks y'all.

I feel fine. . .

"You know what fine means, right? Freaked-out. Insecure. Neurotic. Emotional."

Yep. That's how I feel today. I feel FINE.

I'm pretty much awesome. . .

(and bored)


70 words

Typingtest

Wow!

I knew we were going to come out on top, but to score 30+ points in one quarter-that is just pure awesomeness!

If you don't know what I'm talking about, it's the BSU vs. Freno State game, and the smack talk between Jacob (my older bro) and I started as soon as we got to my parents house. He really thought Fresno State would win. I told him there was no way in heck our boys would loose at home, the last game of the season, AND the day we're supposed to get our WAC title trophy. Jacob asked what Fresno State had to loose if they lost (again) and I quickly replied: "More pride." He didn't like my answer so much.


With an interception by Fresno State within the first seven minutes, I was a little nervous and a score of 10-17 at the half made me even MORE nervous. But my men in blue (and orange) did not disappoint. We came back on top-in a big way. The final score was 61-10. And I enjoyed every minute of that defeat, especially since Jacob is a Fresno State fan. I took a little pride in asking him if he missed the interception by Kyle Wilson and then saying "Don't worry. They'll show a replay of that. Slow motion even so you can catch every bit of it." And since we were in Fresno State territory, we got to hear the players' reactions; I think one player summed it up best by saying their defeat was "Like a scary movie. You couldn't stop it." Haha, so funny and yet so sad.


And now we're off to San Diego: Go Orange! Go Big Blue! Fight! Fight! BSU!!!

Turkey, Family and Friends: oh my!

Thanksgiving in Cali was great. We left Idaho at 6:30 am (though the original plan was to leave at 5:30) and there was no one on the road. Usually our stops in Winnemucca and Boomtown (just outside of Reno) are packed with cars getting gas, but this year was not the case. I’m sure it had to do with people wanting to cut back and save. AAA said that they expected travel to be down 40-60% this year and that’s okay by me because it made for a quicker travel time.



Since we were going to be passing through Lincoln on the way down to my parents house, we got to stop there and pick up Jacob’s daughter Mia so we could spend some family time with her. She is so adorable and such a little chatter box. It’s been about a year since the last time Nic and I had seen her, so when I asked her if she wanted to go with us to see Grandma Mary she said “no.” Her mom, Laurel, felt somewhat bad but after 15 minuets of coaxing Mia and promising her she could watch Sleeping Beauty in our car and have a snack she was ready to go.

I just can’t get over how much she looks like Jacob when he was younger. I always tell my mom: “It’s Jacob, but with long hair.” My mom was sure to always call us Uncle Nic and Aunt Elaine so Mia would know who we are, but she would forget-it’s to be expected (she's only three). It was cute though because she would call me her friend. She told my mom “Grandma, you know my friend?” And then one time I was in my parents room and I guess Nic told her “go get Aunt Elaine” because next thing I hear is “Auntie Lane your friend needs you. Come on, I take you to see your friend.” She then grabbed me by the hand and took me to the kitchen. Too cute! I love that little girl.



We also took family photos again by the best photographer (um, that would be me), but we were missing two grand-daughters/nieces. Unfortunately we had to take Mia back to her mom before we could take them (the day we had her and we were supposed to take them it rained) and my older niece Vanessa wasn't able to come down (due to work). Hopefully over the summer or when we go down for Christmas (next year) we will be able to have EVERYONE there.



Thanksgiving dinner was quiet, but nice. After dinner we headed to see Madagascar 2 at 9 pm. It was a funny movie and it made for some fun memories as well. I won't give too many details (I don't want to embarrass any of my family) but they laughs surrond a "free popcorn" and a large bottle of h2o-I love my family. Spending time with them makes me realize how much I truly miss them and wish I live closer.



My mom was happy to have Nic and me down because she said everyone come over when we're there (because we are the most awesomest people ever you know). Jacob stayed the night a few nights, saw my sister Lisa and my niece Brandie (I can't believe she is going to be 14!), no Cranium or rounds of Monopoly this year but there's always next year for Christmas.

I also ran into a few friends of mine from high school, so that was nice. We bumped into my good friend Brianne at Circuit City. It was kind'a funny because we both did a double take like "is that really her?" Her dad thought Nic and I were crazy for wearing shorts but when we told him we lived in Idaho, he understood (it was between 55-60 degrees). And we also got to be there for the blessing of my good friend Kara's baby boy. He is so adorable.



This year was also the first year that Nic and I hit Black Friday Sales. I was a little nervous because I've heard that people can be pretty crazy, but it wasn't that bad-but I also think that had to deal with the fact that Nic and I didn't go out until like 10 am. We didn't camp out like some people-sorry, we're not that hardcore, PLUS it didn't seem like there were too many deals out there.

Going down to Cali was a nice (much needed) break. And I'm so grateful for my family and the love and support they give me and Nic. Now, if I could only get them to move up here.

p.s. Check back later for pictures

In-N-Out

California, Nevada and even Utah are blessed states in my book. Why you may ask, because all of these states are blessed with having In-N-Out Burgers. These are seriously, the best burgers around in my book. And anytime Nic and I are heading to Cali we look forward to enjoying the wonderful goodness. If you haven’t had their burgers before, you can’t understand how I could go on and on but they are for reals so good. They’re simple but tasty.

In high school, I applied for a job there. I wasn’t hired but I learned some interesting things about their company. (At that time) They were only located in California and every corporate meeting started with the pledge of allegiance followed by a word of prayer. How cool is that? Also, under the rim of their cups, the French fry box, and to-go bags all have a scripture on them. They also have a “secret menu,” which includes items that aren’t on their small menu, but you have to know how to order them. My friend in high school worked there and he told me what they were but I can’t remember them now; however, if you go here it shows you those secret items.

So next time you’re in California, Nevada or Utah check ‘em out-you won’t be disappointed.

33.25?!

So, going down to Cali, Nic and I were a little nervous about gas prices. With where they were in September (when we started planning our trip) we were filling up our car for $65 dollars-if not a little more, and we had anticipated spending at least $300 on gas (painful, I know). However, imagine my surprise, joy, shock-whatever you want to call it- when we filled our tank for $33.25. . .$33.25 are you kidding me?! That was freakin’ awesome! Road trip anyone?