'Tis the Season to be Merry . . .

Well, we survived Christmas and finals. If everything goes according to plans we should only have one more finals period to get through and then the Bar Exam. While I was "away" for finals, Tracy and Hooch went to Discovery Bay for the Boat Parade (the boats are decorated with Christmas lights and parade around Discovery Bay). I think they had a good time, and I got in some study time at home.

Here is Hooch and his mom trying to stay warm while watching for the boats.

As Christmas quickly approached, we realized that Hooch hadn't seen Santa. He did okay last year, but we were a little concerned with how he would react this year. We decided to go to the mall early on the Saturday before Christmas. We found Santa waiting for visitors; I was ready with the camera.

Here is Hooch right when his mom dropped him on the guy in the red suit. As you can see he doesn't quite know what is going on.

He didn't last long. Santa told Tracy to go stand by the camera, and Hooch didn't really like that idea. In case you are wondering, the only thing Hooch asked Santa for was to go back to his mom.

For Christmas Santa brought Hooch a Lil' Kawasaki quad. It has a button he can push to make it go. He is pretty good until he has to turn. We end up having to pull it away from the walls so he can continue on his way.

Here is the present and his stocking waiting for him. Didn't Santa do such a good job putting on those awesome decals?

Hooch and his dad opening a present. Hooch is wondering why he got a box of Christmas Tree lights.

Christmas morning Hooch got a little too excited and fell on his face on the tile and got a fat lip. After some love from his mom and some presents he started to feel better. He had a good Christmas despite the fall, and really loves all his new toys.

How Lovely are your Branches

Ta Da! This year we have graduated from a Charlie Brown tree to a real and a little bit expensive tree. We went to Apple Hill with all of the Busath Family to get it, which is always a little crazy but a lot of fun. If you can believe it we put the Christmas tree inside our car to bring home. We thought we were so smart and even put a tarp down. But afterward we found a spider in the car, so I doubt that will be repeated. I tried to have Charles help me set up the tree but all he wanted to do was pull off the lights and play with the ornaments. So I had to wait until after he went to bed. I was smart and created our tree in layers. Toy-like ornaments on the bottom, then ornaments still in his reach that if they got broken I would be okay with it and then ornaments I would have a funeral for if they died. Sad, but true; I am very attached to a lot of my ornaments. My Grandma Healy gave me one each year until she passed away and now because Hallmark still comes out with a Crayola one (at one point my grandma started giving me a Crayola one each year) my mom buys me that one each year. My mom has also picked up where my grandma left off and buys her grandchildren one each year. I’m very lucky to have my mom because the silly ornaments are a big deal to me. This year’s ornaments are featured below. Lights are up on the tree, in the hallway, around a window, and on the balcony. We are officially all decorated for Christmas. The tree pictures are with the flash, without the flash, and Chad's creative picture.

Christmas Barnyard Dance

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Busath Family Cruise

Christmas came a little early for the Busaths. Tracy's parents took the kids and their spouses on a cruise in lieu of individualized Christmas presents. Tracy and I were able to justify skipping out on work and school to enjoy a little time to ourselves. My parents watched Hooch, and all we had to get them was some Mexican vanilla (or brown water). It was a nice few days away from the stresses of life. If you have never been on a cruise, you should look into it. Contrary to popular belief, they are not THAT expensive (although there are some expensive options), and even if you feel like you might get seasick there are medicinal remedies for such things. Do some research and make it happen.

Anyway, back to the cruise . . . Tracy and I drove down to Los Angeles on Friday morning and got on the boat. The rest of the Busath family were already in L.A. and met us on the boat.

Here is Tracy on the gangway, getting ready to board the boat.

While we were waiting for the rest of the Busaths, we played a round of mini golf (this was on the boat).

We also checked out the arcade. Tracy thinks she could be a motorcycle racer.

After we checked out the boat and got some food, we had to sit through an emergency drill and then we went to dinner. While we were at dinner we set sail, which is always a little interesting because you don't really know how you are going to react to the "motion of the ocean." On Saturday morning we were in Mexico. We went to a ranch for a Mexican Fiesta, which was great. The food was good and the entertainment was decent.

Here we are at the Ranch waiting for lunch.

I thought it was funny that everyone looked so "happy" to be there. It wasn't only Tracy and Samantha, everyone had a scowl on their face. I think they were just hungry, or maybe they were expecting bigger things from Mexico.


The entertainment was okay. The Mariachi Band was pretty good. The dancers were okay. There was a pinata, and this 72 year-old lasso master. He was doing all sorts of crazy lasso tricks.


On the way back to the boat we stopped and took pictures of the real Black Pearl. This is where she is docked.

Here is me and Samerz. This was on Sunday, which was a whole day at sea. We didn't do too much, other than lounge on deck and eat. If you look closely at her right wrist, you can see the fake tatoo that Samerz got.

Five years. . .

Chad and I have an interesting history, but I'll save you the stories. Below is the most recent picture of us (from last weekend's cruise. . . details in another post) and the oldest picture I have of us. Read the date: October 17th 1998! Today Chad and I reached a special milestone; our fifth wedding anniversary. From our first date (Lyon's and miniature golfing) to our more recent adventures with the Hooch. . . Chad, I hope you are having as much fun as I am. Happy Anniversary.



A special shout out to Clinton for his cameo in the old-school photo. Also Happy 6th Anniversary to Briana and Dave (Bri, I think you were at that Halloween dance).

Super Post- part two

We've reached Halloween. . .

As a family we carved a pumpkin. Chad cut the lid and Charles helped with a spoon.

I cleaned out the seeds. Charles helped until he felt the seeds and then just watched.


The finished product.


Charles loved to look at it every night.

Charles was a cow this year; complete with a cow flashlight that moo-ed and a tail made by Grandma Bacchus.

Handy Manny made an appearance. Charles' trick or treating pals are Buzz Lightyear (Mason) and the pretty witch (Jill).

Charles enjoying the spoils.

Super Post- part one

It's gonna be a long one. . .

Charles has some new skills:
climbing

and "smiling" for the camera

He recently met his second cousin, Macy.

She is a little younger but they had a good time.
To be continued. . .