Merry Christmas!!

Our stockings ready for Santa

Our presents to each other

Roxy and her new bone (laying in the all the wrapping paper)


So much work

Mickey enjoying all Roxy's work and the fire

So, our Christmas started last weekend (same weekend as Jason's graduation). First, we had Jason parents and sister over and had a nice early lunch and opened some packages. The next day, we had my parents over for a late lunch and more package opening. It was so nice to be able to spend Christmas with our family (since they are all out of town), even if it was early.

So, I haven't been in the Christmas mood. I thought once I got off of work, and had the next day being x-mas eve, it would help. No such luck. This year, I couldn't care less about x-mas. I mean, I love shopping for Jason and seeing his face when he opens everything. It just never happened this year.

On x-mas eve, Jason had to work and ended up getting off later than expected. By the time we were ready to shopping for our x-mas dinner, everything was closed. Luckily for us, our x-mas eve dinner place was still open until 11pm. We love our In and Out burgers! We even treated our self to a dessert and ordered a couple shakes...yummy!! I love our traditions. When we got home, we each opened one present from each other. I'm so glad Jason liked my calender I made for him. It was personalized with our pictures from our years together. He got me the Back to the Future trilogy (gotta love that!).

On x-mas, we were able to sleeping. Since we didn't have any food in the house, we tried finding some fast food/ma and pa places to eat. I can't believe how many places are closed on x-mas. Never fear, Denny's in always open! We only had about a 10 minute wait. While we waited for our food, I saw who appeared to be a homeless man come in and ask the front person how much a lunch was. He started to walk away since he didn't have enough money. That's when the manager stopped and and told him the meal was on the house. I thought that was so nice. This man never begged outside or asked anyone for anything. I thought this was so nice of the manager! He was defiantly feeling the x-mas spirit. We were so full from lunch, we ended up not eating dinner, we couldn't eat another bite! So yummy.

My big gift to Jason was his Call of Duty; Modern warfare 2. I guess he loves it when he stays up until 7am the next morning playing it. My main gift was this Harlan Coben book (which finishes my series). I now have all of Coben's books (as well as all of Robert Crais's books). They each come out with new books starting early next year. Just in time for someones birthday (hint, hint for Jason). Last night, I read for about 2hours straight. I can't to read all of my books. I love reading (if you know me, that's huge...I use to hate reading).

Saturday, we went grocery shopping, used some of our gift cards we got, and had yummy lunch meat sandwiches (we always have peanut butter and jelly). Sunday was such a lazy day for everyone. Roxy was still trying to recover from her exciting x-mas. Every year, she tears all the wrapping paper into little shreds, and never eats them. Then, she hides her ball under all the trash and tries to find it. It is so hilarious to watch. I never thought a new pink ball would be better than a new big bone. Mickey loved all the trash in front of the fireplace. He laid on it, enjoying the fire.

We have a ton of movies to watch and wine to drink. Jason is now trying to find A job until he finds THE job. I can't tell you enough, I can't wait to move out of here. We are very done with California (unless he gets San Diego, I can do that). I love my husband for all that he does for us.

We wish everyone a merry Christmas and happy New Year. Can't wait to 2010 to start. Thanks for reading, Michele, Jason, Roxy and Mickey

Jason's Graduation!!

A banner I made for Jason

Hanging out

Yummy samplers


Say "cheese"

Me & my graduate

It's official!!

JASON GRADUATED COLLEGE!!!! He finally did it! I'm so proud of him. All of his hard work, late nights, sleepless nights, studying and so much more finally paid off. He received his Bachelor's degree in International Relations with a minor in Criminal Justice. He worked so hard, and has so much to so show for it. I love him with all my heart and can't wait to see what's in store for us now.

After his graduation, we headed to PF Chang's with our family. the food was good, and so was the company. But, the traffic was bad. We were across the street from the Galleria. That place is such a mad house! I can't believe the traffic. Bad procrastinating shoppers. We had to park in the very, very back (easiest way in and out), and walk to the restaurant.

Once lunch was finished, we went home for just enough time for Jason to take a nap while I finished laundry. Once we changed, we headed over to Hoppy Brewery. Most of our friends, and family were able to join us to celebrate. I'm so glad that everyone that came were able to make it. I know how tough it is get together with families and everything going on during Christmas time. I really appreciate it! It meant a lot to Jason (and of course, me). We had so much fun, and enjoyed talking with everyone. Thanks again!!

Metallica

Mickey in the dyer

It may not be much, but it's snow

We're ready for the concert!

Love the flames around James

the laser show around James

More James

Such an awesome show

The entire band (album cover)

Love the castes as the lights

On Tuesday, after I got off of work, we headed straight to the Metallica concert. The only reason we were able to was because we bought the tickets as soon as they went on sale, back in April. The concert was so much fun, we had a blast.

It was entertaining to watch the people in the mash pit. There was this petite girl getting thrown around. Eventually, she ended up on the ground. Towards the end of the show, she came back for a little more abuse. There was also this bony kid (which I thought was a girl, until he took off his shirt). He seemed to hit his head hard on the cement ground. People were trying to crowd surf up to the stage, but the guards got them in time.

There was this kid that cam with his parents (he was probably about 18). His parents didn't seem to be into the concert too much, but he was. He took his hair out of his pony tail and started head banging, which is fine, but his hair was really stinky. Boys will be boys. There seemed to be a lot of parents with their kids. I think that's pretty cool that kids are listening to what their parents are still listening to. Metallica played 3 older songs to every 1 of their new songs. We prefer their older stuff (even though I prefer Load or Re-Load and Jason laughs at me).

After the concert, there was this guy selling t-shirts for $10. I always wonder how he can possibly make the shirts for that price. I'm thinking the shorts are pretty cheaply made. We didn't buy any. Metallica gives a great performance with the lasers and fire and moving stage (in a circular motion so everyone gets to see the front of them), I have to say Serje will always be my favorite. I'm not saying that my voice was shot the next day, it defiantly was.

On another note, we got some snow here in Roseville last week. It was very little, but I did wake up to white on the ground and all over my car. That started out my Christmas mood. I've tried...I have decorated the house while listening to x-mas music, and wrapped presents while watching x-mas movies. I even watched one of my favorites...A Christmas Story. Christmas Eve I'll watch Xmas Vacation. We're having a couple early Christmases with our out of town families. This is a super busy weekend. I have to get ready for Jason's graduation on Friday and the early x-mases this weekend (and my house is a mess!).

While I've been cleaning and doing laundry, Mickey has decided to make a new home; the dyer. It's been closer here than normal, and he hates it. I don't blame him, I hate to cold too. I'm afraid that I will lock him in there and not know it. He got into trouble (after I took some cute pictures). Off to do some more busy work. Until Jason's graduation!

Another Weekend

Yummy chicken stew

Using my handy-dandy crock pot

How smart is our Roxy girl? (Rudolph is in her mouth)

Out go the presents...cute boxes, huh?



Lemon-almond biscotti dipped in chocolate

home-made apple chips

peanut butter cookies

So, this is just another weekend for us. Jason is stressing about finals and all the papers he has to write for school. We can't believe that he only has 13 days until he graduates! Amazing! Everything we've been through is so worth him graduating. I can't express how proud I am of him. He means the world to me! How did I get so lucky?

While he's been studying, I've been baking and getting things ready to mail Christmas packages out to our families in Washington and Idaho. I love to bake!! I made some yummy treats. I hope everyone likes them. I'm also making dinner in the crock pot tonight. A yummy delicious chicken dinner. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

I'm also catching up on my shows I've DVRed. I have so many, I can't keep up. It has been so busy around here lately. I'm back going to the gym 5 days a week. I'm going to be in great shape very soon (even with all the junk I make).

I think we have the smartest dog alive. Roxy has all of a sudden started playing with her Rudolph's head that my mom bought her last year. She hasn't touched in about a year, and now she is. I think she's more in the Christmas mood than I am. I'm jealous. Usually I'm singing Christmas carols and pissing everyone off with how Chrismasy I am. Now, I can't wait for it to be over. I'm trying...I have x-mas music in my card, we're having an early x-mas with my parents and the in-laws in a couple of weeks. I've wrapped almost all presents, we're finished shopping. Everything is done (I don need to decorate next weekend, maybe that will help).

I better be going. Oh ya, we're going to Metallica on Tuesday! That should be fun! I'll take some pictures with my phone and upload them. You know how picky Metallica is about their pictures being taken.