Merry Christmas! (Feliz Navidad)

I hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas. Ours was less than exciting. It turns out its not that fun when there are no kids to watch or lots of people to open presents. Dan and I really got our relaxation on, sleeping in front of the fire . . . well, thats what I did. Dan continued to make cool things with his saws. He is so creative and talented. He has made some beautiful things. I will post a picture of my Christmas presents from him soon. They are the coolest!

2 years

Here are the beautiful roses I received for our anniversary. I was a little concerned when the doorbell rang and through the peephole I saw a fairly sketchy looking character. But the flowers were breathtaking, so I had to open the door and accept them. They were from my sweet husband all the way from Utah. A dozen for each year we have been married, pretty wonderful!

Big News I

No I am not pregnant. And I am not talking about the Clutch album. But I do have some big news. Several items actually, but its not all good.

1. Let's start with the good stuff. This Tuesday the 16th is our wedding anniversary. Pretty exciting. Not the day itself, but that we have survived as husband and wife for two whole years now. I know, all of you veterans of marriage are scoffing at my feeling of accomplishment. I know every marriage has its ups and downs. It just seems that we have had some real doozies. (Yes, that is a word, and it is spelled correctly). Dan has put up with quite a bit and he is an amazing, loving husband. He might even be hoping for another 2 years of wedded bliss . . . just not in the Kirk. (see #2 for a better understanding)

2. Damn mexicans. Dan's suburban was stolen (show truck, as I like to call it) . From our driveway. In the middle of the night. You know, the black one, with fire down the sides and scary faces on the back. Yep.

So, it actually happened one week ago today. I've been so pist, I couldn't write about it til now. I'm not even the one who spent weeks on the sanding and paint, then more sanding and paint in trade for the sweet wheels.

And ABQ law enforcement isn't all that helpful. Apparently 30 cars are stolen EVERY DAY in this town. Sweet. The cop who took the report said that the burb was probably already in Mexico by then, picking up 20 mexicans to bring to America. Even sweeter. Damn mexicans. (I can hear Grandma Shields saying it now).

3. Dan and I are signing up to be foster parents. Ok, so because of my work schedule it will be more like Dan is a single foster parent. Maybe. The process takes "4-9 months" so we may be moving out of NM before it ever happens. We have been thinking about it for a while, and after an especially bad night in the pediatric ICU last week, I made the call. I see far too many children in the hospital beaten and abused by their parents. We want to help care for the kids that are taken out of these horrible circumstances. Hopefully we can help. We'll see how it goes . . . in 4-9 months.

Pants peeing

Remember when I wrote about all the kids who

would be soiling their britches on Halloween night
because of sheer terror? Did you notice that
I never actually posted any pants peeing stories?
Well, it's not because it never happened.

Let me 'splain . . .



I found this hunched back ghoul in the
garage shortly after carving pumpkins.



Pretty scary right? Right. So the crux of the
problem was really technical ineptitude. New
camera. Me. No time between tossing cough drops
in the bags of teen agers with face paint "trick or
treating" to school myself in video making. Don't
be disappointed in the the Halloween man. There were
some scares, screams and jumps. Just none captured
on film.



And once I figured out the camera, still no clog
footage. It turns out, that I must have a little Grandpa
Shields in me. It is impossible for me to hold the camera
still while taking a photo. Yep, Parkinsons, its starting
early these days.

Suzy Breadmaker

That's right, a bread-maker. No, we didn't buy one
I just got crazy on a Sunday afternoon and decided
to get back into baking with yeast.


Here it is. Looks almost like it could be on a
fabulous cooking show right?



I am obviously pointing out the steam coming
from this delectable morsel. (Look hard, I
promise its there).



And here I am chowing down, I couldn't wait
until the photo shoot was over. Guess I wouldn't
be the best hostess for a TV cooking show.

All Hallows Eve--what does that even mean?

So, this is what we spent our nightmare before Halloween
doing . . .

Dan made me carve pumpkins, eat dough-nut holes and
watch scary movies with him. He is such a party animal,
forcing me to get into the holiday spirit.






If you look closely you can see the scary face shining backwards
on to the door behind. How eery!

Dan has some great ideas about how to scare the neighbor
kids when they come trick or treating. After tomorrow night
we should have some fantastic pants-peeing stories to share.

Everybody is doing it.

So WE decided to do it too. I think Nicole looks like a young "Kitty" from "The 70's show"
And I just look real real REAL neat.

HUMAN CONTACT!

Jacobs painting
I picked up a hitchhiker
She's enjoying total eye protection
Emily showing how she removes unwanted hotel guests

A fresh pic of the Newest Mexicans

Jake apparently looked AT the windshield (not through it) and ended up in Africa
The Kelsinator giving the sea lions her full attention


Monticello Temple... en route
See any driblets?
Mocking us
Kelch and the Doc

This past weekend we were graced with a visit from Mom and Dad Langston, el Jakester, and the Badger clan (minus Andy) It was fandamtastic.

We visited the Zoo, Rudy's BBQ, Kids Science Museum and the infamous El Pinto restaraunt. Jake and I painted a cool picture in the garage. The Wii found its way from the dusty corner and we all boxed the daylights out of our shoulder muscles. Dad outsmarted the age-old dilemma of falling asleep during the movie, by watching it twice. Candice maintained her impressive Mothering skills although I now wish I helped relieve her duties by helping more. Momma BARELY offered a sacrifice for science when she strapped herself into the high wire bike at the Science Museum. If you look close, you can see the yellow driblets coming from her fear duct. I WOULD however, enjoy to share with the world that the Momma did NOT sacrifice for science when the opportunity presented itself to truly test the effects of electrical currents to her tongue. Emily and Cyrus DID sacrifice, and I feel that their lives will be richly blessed because of it. Also, what New Mexican trip is complete without a photo of a man (or possible woman) being arrested.

Nicole and I had a great time. ( I hope the fam can say the same). Although the party only lasted a few days, I can't explain how much I loved every minute of their visit. I was rather disappointed and felt a sharp tinge of sadness when I awoke with an empty home this morning. I miss my family. I must admit I had a few transparent driblets escape my wimp ducts.

Not a Picture of Me, but NEATO

So... this video is pretty great. We're pretty freakin excited about it and wanted to share.

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/surprise-party/237294/

another NM great

This is our favorite billboard on the drive from 'the Kirk' to Utah.
Yep that billboard is in the parking lot of the video store.
Pretty classic.

Vista

This is the view from our balcony. It doesn't suck.

Welcome

Nicole and I have decided that are lives are just too darn exciting not to share with our family and friends. So, if you dare, begin your days with a view into our lives and prepare for some serious jealousy.