Christmas

Well, the final post for 2012 is here (don't tell anyone, but I'm writing it on January 1, 2013, and then changing the time, so that it displays as being written in 2012)! My New Year's resolution is to post at least twice per month. We'll see if it lasts longer than my decision to quit drinking Coke, but I'm cautiously optimistic!

Anyway, for Christmas we stayed in San Diego. My brother Dan flew down from Idaho Falls to spend the holiday with us. We enjoyed having him here, especially since it gave me an excuse to visit my favorite tourist spots...the Maritime Museum and the USS Midway museum. Andy particularly enjoyed Dan's visit and was quite sad to see him go.

We started our visit to the Maritime Museum on the SS Star of India. The highlight of the tour for Andy was getting to hang on the "steering wheel". Lizzie liked it too. You can tell we're a Navy family!

Our next stop was the HMS Surprise of 'Master and Commander' fame. As you can see from the figurehead in the picture, she was in a festive mood for the holidays.

Once again, Andy was all about steering the ship. So was Dan!

We also toured a Soviet Kilo-class submarine. It was a tight fit below decks, and I forgot to take pictures there. Trust me when I say that I'm glad I'm not a submariner!

As part of our Christmas tradition, we paint ornaments to place on the tree. Daniel was included, of course, and made a soldier. I'm surprised he didn't make a Marine.

Andy also painted a soldier. He eventually painted the entire ornament green. It's his favorite color. Everything ends up being green right now.

On the night of December 23, we were visited by Santa's elves. Andy and Lizzie did well during the year and got apples. Julie did well with an orange. Daniel was borderline with a coconut. I had red flags waving with coal. I guess I was a bit too cranky this year!

Andy was very proud that the elves thought he was such a good boy!

Our other tradition is to get new pajamas on Christmas Eve. Julie decided to make them this year and Andy picked out the pattern. She always waits until the last minute, griping as she goes. That's all I'll say!

On Christmas Eve we went to the USS Midway. We toured the flight deck first, to get it out of the way since it was raining. That didn't dampen Andy's mood. He was way excited to be in a helicopter. He even buckled himself in!

The flight deck of the USS Midway. Remember, this is small compared to modern carriers.

The next series of photos reinforced my decision to become an officer in the military instead of remaining enlisted.

The Admiral's bedroom.

The Admiral's closets and private bathroom.

The Admiral's sitting room.

One of the enlisted set of bunks.

One of the enlisted berthing areas with their locker and one bunk each. As I said, I'm glad I'm an officer!

Since I'm in Navy medicine, the trip wouldn't have been complete without a trip to medical. Here's the inpatient ward, consisting of 18 bunks. Cozy!

One of two operating rooms. I was told that, since the carrier didn't have an anesthesiologist assigned, one of the dentists filled that role.

The F/A-18 ready room. Andy went straight into the CO's seat. I see a future in Naval aviation!

Given that green is his favorite color, Andy insisted on a picture with "the green guy".

The night before Christmas, all through the house; not a creature was stirring...except for Dad, who was unhappily putting toys together!

The stockings after Santa's visit. Apparently, my last minute attempt to be good worked!

One happy 4-year-old and a somewhat confused 7-month-old. It was a good Christmas morning!

Happy to have her hands on a box of Mum-Mum's.

Dan going through his stocking. He's really styling in those pajama pants!

Andy helping Lizzie go through her stocking. She was distracted by the banana.

She rapidly decided that she didn't like it in its skin nearly as much as she thought she would.

Wrapping paper, however, was an instant hit!

Julie with her stocking. We were both wishing that Andy had let us sleep in a bit more!

Andy picked this necktie out himself. Notice that it's green.

Andy thoroughly enjoyed tearing into his presents, as the following picture shows...

The chaos after all the gifts are unwrapped. I guess it's a sign of a successful Christmas morning!

Andy modeling his Spiderman knit cap (thanks Santa), Best Big Bro t-shirt (thanks Lizzie), Spiderman lunchbox, Spiderman wristband, and Spiderman watch (thanks Leta). This kid sure loves Spiderman, and he is the best big brother ever!

Well, that does it for 2012. Keep your eye out for at least two posts in January. I promise, I'll try!

Birthdays!

Our family has two birthdays in November, Julie's in the middle of the month and Andy's near the end. Julie officially entered her mid-30's this year (she's no spring chicken!) and Andy hit the big boy 4-year-old mark. We had a great time celebrating with them and with everyone who came down to San Diego for Andy's party. He had a fantastic time and was very glad to see you! It will be hard to top!

Julie's presents. If you look at the top of the gifts, you'll see pipe cleaners tied into bows. It was Andy's idea.

Despite my earnest desire to put 34 candles on her cake and set off our fire alarms, I restrained myself and just put in enough to make the shape of a 3 and 4. It still gave off quite a bit of light.

Andy insisted that his gift to Julie be a Build-a-Bear. He picked it and it's outfit himself. He also came up with the bear's creative name of...Rainbow.

Lizzie was just happy to get her hands on something that she could chew.

Andy's birthday, as befitting a newly minted 4-year-old, was a bit more involved. Since his birthday was in the middle of the week, we celebrated as a family first and let him open his gifts from us.

Julie rigged his bedroom door so that he would have balloons falling on him when he opened it first thing in the morning. It was pretty entertaining to hear him open his door first thing that morning, followed by a confused silence, and then a question, "Why are there balloons in my door?" He quickly became very excited when he remembered that it was his special day.

Andy with his Spiderman balloon. He insisted that Julie buy it.

I had to include this picture of Lizzie. She's just so darn adorable!

That's right folks! He's 4 (and a pretty big Spiderman fan, if you can't tell)!

We decided to save his Spiderman cake for his weekend party and got his choice of doughnuts instead. He also got to choose dinner (we had McDonald's). He was pretty stoked.

Blowing out his candles...

...and they're out! He wanted to tell me his wish right away, but I managed to keep him from spilling the beans for at least 5 minutes.

My two November birthday peeps! I sure do love them!

Andy's big party was the following Saturday. We are very grateful that so many people were able to make it, including our family from Sacramento. Andy had a fantastic time and is already planning next year's celebration!

I'm convinced that Julie has a future in professional cake decorating. It makes me want a Spiderman cake for my birthday!

As part of the party entertainment, Julie and her sisters put together a superhero floor background and had the kids pose as superheroes. Needless to say, it was a hit.

This picture has a bit of background to it. Andy had gone to a friend's birthday party a couple of months ago, and noticed that Spiderman was there. He then promptly went up to Julie and informed her that Spiderman was coming to his birthday party. When Julie responded with, "Really?", he said, "Yes. I already invited him." That's right. My son marched up to Spiderman at someone else's birthday party and invited him to his own shindig. The kid knows no fear. As you can see in the picture, he was still very excited to actually see him.

The obligatory high five with Spiderman!

Spiderman was actually fantastic. He entertained a gaggle of 3-5 year olds for an hour, running all over the backyard, playing games, and putting up with them for much longer than I ever could have. If you're interested, give me a call and I'll give you his number. It was worth every penny!

Andy with his official Superhero certificate. Apparently, my son is now certified to fight crime!

A tug-of-war with Spiderman. Spiderman won (although he did let the kids win a second round).

Lizzie ate while everyone else played. A girl after my own heart!

Playing limbo with Spiderman. Andy's crab walk strategy was unconventional, but highly successful.

Blowing out the candles on his cake. He didn't even spit on the cake much!

Getting this many kids to pose for a picture is a bit like herding cats. All I can say is I'm glad I'm not that guy in the Spiderman suit!

Even Lizzie is a budding superhero. She just needs to learn to leave the buildings alone...unless she wants to be a supervillain!

Well, that's it for our birthdays this year. One more post and we're up-to-date for the year! Wish me luck!