Christmas and New Year's

I have to appologize that it's been so long since I updated this blog, but it just seems like there has been so much going on!

Rhiannon is getting very good at her letters. She isn't reading yet, but I think that's just sheer stubborness on her part. Sh loves to draw and color and write her letters.

We didn't actually take any pictures of Christmas day - I suppose we just got caught up in the opening of presents. Besides, we were all in our PJs. Rhiannon got so much stuff! She got an easel/ art desk stocked with paints, markers, colored pencils, and other art supplies. Her favorite part is the whiteboard and dry erase markers. She also got 6 different Barbie dolls to add to her collection. She got plently more, but I can't imagine anyone wants to read the entire list. I got Joel a shirt, tie, pants, shoes, cologne, and various toiletries so that he can get all gussied up and take me out on a date. He got me a gift certificate to a spa - a massage, mani and pedi! I can't wait to go.

Christmas this year was just the three of us. It's the first time we haven't traveled to someone's house, but it was nice. I went all out on dinner. I've been watching a lot of cooking shows on TV and so I decided to go all fancy. I made crab and ricotta pastry puffs, broiled swordfish in a citrus-balsamic glaze, broiled lobster tails, and balsamic glazed sweet potatoes. We had a key lime pie for dessert - but I didn't make it, just thawed it out.

We did all travel after Christmas, however. Rhiannon and I drove up to Aurora, NC to see my parents. It is a really, really long drive - especially because it was just me driving with Rhiannon and Daco. We stayed with my parents through the New Year and had a great time. Draco especially had a great time because my folks have a cute little terrier named Maggie. The two dogs played constantly. Rhiannon still gets very meoldramatic and sighs, saying she misses her Grandma and Grandpa, verging on tears. She cried real tears on the drive home. It was pretty sad.

On New Year's we - my parents, Rhiannon and I, went to Oriental, NC to see the running of the dragon. It was really fantastic.

Everyone comes out with pots and pans and noise-makers and drums and they celebrate in the streets.

At 8:00 and 11:30 the Dragon is let out and there is a parade down the street. Supposedly, if you are able to touch the dragon you will have good luck for the rest of the year. We all actually got to touch it twice and Rhiannon even got in side of it. The pictures weren't taken by us, but lifted from TownDock.net, the online news for the town.

Joel went to the Bahamas and has some great pictures and stories to tell, but I'm leaving him in charge of that. Maybe I will post the pictures and let him write the text when he has time.

Other than that, life has been as usual. Joel works a lot, Rhiannon goes to school, and we take Draco to Di. O. Gi. dog park almost daily. Here are some pictures of him playing. The other German Shepherd is Sarge, and the black Lab is Sammy.

I also finished my Grad school application for USF. Everyone keep their fingers crossed for me.