Merry Christmas from Toby Claus

Toby wanted me to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas. He wants you to have a great Christmas so much so that he dressed up for each of you. Friends, meet Toby Claus:

Baby It's Cold Outside

Brrrrrrr! This morning was a cold one. Too bad it can't stick around for a few days and leave us with a seasonably chilly Christmas morn'. Oh well. I love the cold weather (in short stints) and this morning was definitely a bit on the chilly side. I love being able to drink hot chocolate and not feel silly. I love walking into our house after being outside and feeling the heater blowing out warm air. I love sweaters, and scarves and mittens. But mostly these days, I love being able to see THIS as I leave for work in the morning:

Charlie Clements Aguilar: 1995 - December 6, 2008

Yesterday was quite possibly the hardest day of mine and Sean's entire life. Yesterday morning, at 8:30 a.m., we sent our beloved dog, Charlie, off to doggie heaven. Charlie lived a long, long life. When he became mine back in 1995, the vet estimated he was 2 years old. 15 years is a long time for a doggie to live. Charlie led such a good life, and he was the very best dog you could ever ask for. He was patient and calm and well behaved. He loved to give kisses and chase Beagles at the dog park. He was with me every step of the way -- multiple apartments and boyfriends, job changes, college, the working world... He was even there the night I got engaged to Sean. Charlie was sitting right beside Sean when Sean got down on his knee and asked me to be his wife! He was there for all the high points and all the low points.

I'm so glad he made it long enough to see the birth of Bella. It's unfortunate that she won't get to know Charlie, but we'll be sure to tell her all about his wonderfulness.

Over the last few months, it had become increasingly obvious that we would have to make a decision about Charlie's life. He'd pretty much stopped eating. He was down to skin and bones. He was completely blind (this was confirmed to us by the vet yesterday) and he was spending most of his days curled up on the floor. When he'd get up, he'd have a major case of "sea legs" and would have much difficulty walking around. We knew that this was not the kind of life Charlie would want to live. So...we made the decision to send him to doggie heaven.

Sean took Charlie to the vet. I couldn't do it...he'd been my doggie for 13 years and I needed the last time I saw him for him to be alive. God bless Sean...what he had to do was unimaginably hard! He was with Charlie as he took his last breath. By the time he came home, I knew Charlie was up in doggie heaven, running through the grass, eating treats, and chasing Beagles!

Rest in peace our precious "Boogs" (as we called him). We already miss you like crazy. The tears haven't subsided, and probably won't for a while. We are sorry you are gone but know that you are in a much better place.

We love you!

Daddy, Mommy, Bella and lil' brother Toby

Christmas Songs

I LOVE this time of year. Hot chocolate, sweaters, pine everywhere, and CHRISTMAS SONGS!! Ask my husband...I am a Christmas song fanatic. I've been listening to Christmas songs since before Thanksgiving thanks to my XM radio!! I've even still got Christmas CDs in my car that have been there for 2+ years. Before I got my satellite radio in the car, I would sometimes listens to my Trans-Siberian Orchestra CDs in, oh, June. I can't get enough Christmas music. So, in that spirit...I am listing my top 10 favorite Christmas songs:

10. Little Drummer Boy (Bob Seger)
9. 12 Pains of Christmas (Bob Rivers Comedy Group)
8. Christmas Canon (Trans-Siberian Orchestra)
7. Christmas Eve (Trans-Siberian Orchestra)
6. Hark the Herald Angels Sing (Manheim Steamroller)
5. Mary Did You Know (Clay Aiken)
4. The Christmas Song (Nat King Cole)
3. Christmas Time Again (Extreme)
2. All I Want for Christmas is You (Olivia Olson - the version on the "Love Actually" soundtrack)
1. Do They Know it's Christmas (Band Aid)

Honorable Mentions: Last Christmas (Wham!), Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano), Winter Wonderland (Eurythmics)

Now it's your turn. What are YOUR favorite Christmas songs?

Bella's First Turkey Day

Thursday was Bella's very first Thanksgiving. My what a difference a year makes...it was Thanksgiving day last year when we told my family that we were expecting. Fast forward one year and our precious little angel is 4 months old! Where did the time go?!

Of course, Bella couldn't eat turkey and all the trimmings (so daddy and I ate it for her!), but she did get to spend the day with family. Grammie and Aunt J enjoyed snuggling with her and she got to smell her first turkey baking in the oven. All in all, it was a fantastic day.

Zachary's First Birthday

My best friend Janet's son, Zachary, turned 1 on November 15th. His birthday party was on November 22nd in Round Rock. Bella, Sean and I made the drive up to Round Rock for the party and it sure was worth the drive -- lots of babies, presents, cake and fun made for a great day!

Zachary went to town on his birthday cake, which is what it's all about, right? I think the boy likes icing! HA! We stayed for a few hours but I think the excitement got the best of Bella. Here's what she looked like by the end of the party:

And here are some fun pics from the party: