The Big 31

For Brad the celebration of his 31st birthday was the real turning point because now he felt like he was really "in" his 30's. Regardless of its stigma we still had a really good time.

After several years of not using our 1 skiver pan, we used it twice in course of one week.  First for Christmas and then for Brad's party food prep.  I also made a giant batch of egg loafs, so it was kind of an odd breakfast for dinner party spread, but good nibbles are good nibbles at any hour!

I think this was my first home made birthday cake for Brad.  Clearly I need to practice up a bit, but even though it wasn't that pretty it certainly was tasty.  The party wasn't that big but it was a great time.

When it was all said and done, Brad was passed out in bed.  He actually slipped off without a word to anyone, so I staged a good passed out photo to commemorate the night for him.   I was the sober party goer, so after driving everyone home, I stayed up another couple of hours and cleaned house with my 2 am second wind energy.  It was actually really nice to get the next morning after having a party and not have a hang over and have the house be clean! A great end to a great night!

                               Welcome to your 30's boog. May the best years be yet to come!

Las luces de Navidad en España

After our world wind trip to the states, we enjoyed a much more relaxed holiday season at home. We put up our fake tree, decorated the house, and spent a lot of time scolding Pepito for playing with the ornaments. We made skivers on Christmas morning, and finally popped the cork on some fabulous almond champagne that we were given by our awesome friends Lee and Chelsea.

We attended our first NCTAMS Christmas party, which was a huge weight off my shoulders as the MWR president. I had to oversee all the planning and set up for the party for nearly 100 people, not exactly a small undertaking.
In between Christmas and New Years, we spent an evening in Jerez (Hair-eth) taking in the lights and the Spanish Culture. The Christmas season in Spain lasts all the way until the 6th of January. Three Kings Day is a day to celebrate when the wise men arrived to the place where Jesus was born, and just as they gave gifts, so do the Spanish. The holiday has grown to be the more predominant gift giving day in the Christmas season, because of this the local stores set up markets in the town centers, and keep their shops open late during the days between Christmas and January 6th.

Just as every other experience during our tour here in Spain, this was another one we wouldn't trade. Feliz Navidad y Feliz Año Nuevo.