2009

Archive for the year 2009

Christmas Day at the Brubaker’s

Posted on December 26, 2009 by Ching under Family.

My loot from Christmas Day: a trench coat from Old Navy, Black & Decker soldering iron, and a book about soldered jewelry. I can’t wait to get crafty! LOL.

I also got a black handbag.

Brian and I got a nice, new rice cooker so we can get rid of our old one. We actually used the new rice cooker today.

Brian looks dashing in his new blazer, no?

Brian got an argyle sweater vest, which would look great with the blazer.

He also got a fancy, new alarm clock.

Brian with his new reciprocating saw.

There’s tons of other stuff. Too much to post every single picture. Just watch the slideshow below instead.

We normally do breakfast, followed by gifts, then lunch, then maybe some Phase 10. We skipped Phase 10 this year and went to Sherlock Holmes. Chad and Jan met us at the theater.

Having had only two hours of sleep (because of callout and then we had to get up early to make sure we had enough time to pick up Brian’s grandparents – we weren’t sure how the roads would be), I was worried that I would fall asleep during the movie. Thankfully, that didn’t happen. I did have to step out for a phone call briefly during the movie, though.

Overall we had a wonderful time on Christmas Day. We are blessed to have wonderful family and friends to celebrate holidays with.

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Christmas Eve at the Alonso Residence

Posted on December 26, 2009 by Ching under Family.

Zane and Apple

Because we are uber nerds, we had to bring our laptops. How else were we going to farm? LOL.

Kidding aside, I was on call on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday so Brian and I actually brought three laptops with us: our personal laptops, which you see in the photo above, and then my work laptop, which was setup in one of the guest bedrooms. I had to get the several applications going: our deskview/callboard, Nortel CCMS (to see how long the rep has been idle, on a call, or any other activity), TotalView (to see how many calls abandoned during each interval), and Lotus Notes and Sametime (so I can communicate with the rep who’s working without having to call the office and tie up their line).

I was worried that I’d have to do callout while I was at mom and dad’s because of the blizzard-like weather conditions. I didn’t have to do until I got home, though. Brian and I got in at midnight and I got a call around 1 AM, right as we had gone to bed. That’s my luck (or lack thereof) for you.

Jen-Tevs (our new nickname for Jennifer Teves Allison because there are just way too many Jennifers in our family) made this beautiful, fruitilicious salad.

Mom’s humba turned out really good. It was the best humba she’s made yet. We had a ton of food. I won’t post all the food pictures here.

Mom was really proud of the fact that (besides the dishes that Jen-Tevs and Apple brought) she made all of the ulam herself. She didn’t hire someone else to cook/cater our dinner this time. Way to go, mom!

Our group photo (Alonsos, Holders, Allisons, Brubakers, plus Jeremy Ryan) was taken before the Cannadys arrived. We should have taken a group photo after they got to the house, but we got distracted by the kiddos and opening presents. We forgot all about it. LOL.

Andrew, Apple and Zane Holder

Jen-Tevs and Armando Allison

Mom with Brian and Jeremy

Mom was Jeremy’s realtor when he bought his house. He is a good friend of Andrew and Apple. This is actually the first time that Brian and I met Jeremy. Although, we almost met him at the Midwest Rockfest this summer because mom told us that he was there too.

Apple really got into Catchphrase. I’m glad because it’s one of my favorite games. I never have anyone to play with, though, because Brian doesn’t like it. Notice that he’s not playing with us.

The Cannadys

Eli and Matthew

Mom and Jen-Tevs

Logan and Brian

Me and Jennifer Cannady

Logan with the Nerf Wii game that Jenni got him.

Eli, playing with his new toy.

The Holders and Jeremy Ryan

Jennifer, Jen-Tevs, Mom, Apple and Zane

Jen-Tevs and Armando, reading an article about our favorite sports hero Manny Pacquiao. Go Pacman!

Baby Zane with some toys we got for him.

Logan with the Nerf machine gun that we got him.

Eli with the Bob the Builder stuff that we got him.

Jenni just had to put the Bob the Builder hardhat on. She couldn’t resist.

She is so goofy. Probably the funniest part of the evening was when Jenni proclaimed herself as being half-Mormon. I was like, “How are you half-Mormon? That’s not even possible.”

Jenni explained that she’s half-Mormon because she only goes to church every other Sunday. Everyone busted up laughing. Sometimes Jenni is so funny that she makes my head hurt.

We didn’t get to do karaoke (Brian got lucky), but I still had a lot of fun. I hope everyone else did, too.

NOTE: For more of our pictures from Christmas Eve, click here.

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DayQuil-Looking Jell-O Shots

Posted on December 26, 2009 by Ching under Food and Drink, Health.

Do you see what I mean about Jenni’s Jell-O shots looking like DayQuil? She makes her Jell-O shots with champagne instead of vodka so they are super yummy. Mom says she eats the left over Jell-O shots for dessert. LOL.

The entire time I was sick and had to take DayQuil, I’d just close my eyes and imagine the medicine cup was filled with Jenni’s delicious Jell-O shots. That’s what got me through the week of being sick.

Speaking of, I wonder if I can talk Jenni into posting her Jell-O shot recipe on FOODIES? Hmmm…