Coolness

For some reason my computer has not been allowing me to post anything on the blog. Well that's not true, I can write but not post pictures which is what I would like to post. I suppose I could sit at our Mac and do it but that would require me to sit in a chair at the computer instead of on the couch with my laptop. I'm developing a growing aversion to sitting at my desk if I am not working. Somehow sitting on the couch makes my computer feel less "workish". This post however is being created on my very cool iPhone that Ricki so graciously bestowed upon me for Christmas. Why am I posting on the blog from my phone as I walk around the house? Because it's coolness. Happy Holidays everyone.

Gingerbread Houses

Ok all you ardent Parnell Blog followers. Your patience is about to be rewarded. Over the next few days I'll be cramming weeks of holiday activities and general fun-having onto the blog. Make sure you keep an eye on us, we'll be moving along quickly.

Gingerbread Houses

Sugar crash? huh?

More snacking than decorating.

It's cold here too...

Seattle is cold this trip. Last time I was here, they were in a record heat wave. It was unbelievable. This trip there is talk of record cold. Yes, I realize that it felt like -25 in Fort Collins this morning, but that doesn't make anyone around here feel any better. I don't feel any better because there are several hundred miles between me and the warmth of my family.

I miss the kids. I miss the craziness. I have to turn on the TV while I work so that there will be some background noise. Most of all I miss my wife. Thanks Ric for being such a champ while I am gone, it will certainly be warmer tomorrow once I'm back home.

Christmas Season Kickoff

We jumped right into the Christmas season this year by hunting down a tree on November 30th. We ended up with a beautiful tree after a brief side trip and thoughts of shamelessly destroying years of time honored tradition by purchasing a fake tree. In the end tradition and the true spirit of the season prevailed. Yes, you read that right, I'm calling all you fake tree-ers out. A real tree is the symbol of the holidays because it requires sacrifice and attention. Fake trees are simply put up, but never fully appreciated. So enjoy your synthetic, poly crafted monstrosities while I enjoy pine scented loveliness. The boys got to decorate the tree this year, and Ricki being the fantastic mother that she is stood by, only occasionally grimacing and muttering something about symmetry, and offered some high level perspective and coaching. We brewed wassel, I put the lights up and we are now fully in the Christmas season. Enjoy. And go buy yourself a pine scented candle.

Unwritten Laws

There have always been constants in my life. You know, rules to live by even though they may not be written down somewhere. For the most part they make sense and have real implications if you break them. Rules like, "Think before you act", "Don't stomp on burning brown bags you find on your porch", "Put the old toothbrush you use to clean the toilet in a different drawer", "Don't assume just because it feels like a tube of toothpaste in the dark that it is in fact a tube of toothpaste", and of course, "You don't listen to Christmas music before Thanksgiving". Sadly I've seen the unfortunate repercussions and scarred souls who have broken these unwritten rules. But lately I've been reading the confessions of numerous unnamed individual that they have in fact been listening to Christmas Music, and yes a quick glance at your calender will show that it is not yet post-Thanksgiving. (Phew,sigh of relief, you haven't slept through the food and no, the L-tryptophan in the turkey hasn't caused short term amnesia) But I say Who Cares? If you are listening to Christmas music, you probably need it. Let's admit it, life is stressful. The economy sucks, the world is at war, most of us feel it is a struggle just to reach the end of the day and for myself, weekends are bringing little relief. Christmas music and the holiday season have rejuvenating effects on my soul. It bring peace and comfort, as it should considering what we celebrate. So if you are secretly listening to Christmas music on your iPod, whether it be Mannheim Steamroller or the Chipmunks, let it play loud. Celebrate the holiday season and revel in the peace that it brings. Don't be afraid to enjoy the music of the season just because there is still a frozen turkey in your freezer. I give you permission to revel, so revel dangit. But please, for the love of all that is holy.... if there is a question about the reality of toothpaste, just turn the light on and check.

Halloween

I know it is messed up to post on Halloween after I've alread moved on to Christmas, but I never put up any pictures. So here you go. This year's installment of Halloween.

Holiday Movies

I love the holiday season. I love Christmas lights, staying in shape while everyone else complains about the "holiday pounds", the good food (and subsequent increased mileage in my training), holiday music, etc. With the invention of the IPod it is suddenly easier for me to have, at the touch of a button any Christmas music my twisted little heart desires: from Manheim Steamroller, to Christmas with the Chipmunks.

I also LOVE Christmas movies. I don't know why. And since I don't have the cash on hand to purchase an IPod touch (recommended gift this holiday season) which greatly enhances the viewing experience over the traditional IPod, nor do I have the money to purchase all of my favorite holiday movies to put on the aforementioned and nonexistent IPod touch, I'll be digging my blockbuster rental card out of the dust from whence it currently resides and checking out all of my favorites. Here is a list that makes up most of my favorite holiday movies. And when I say "most" I do so in order to reserve the right to forget or otherwise let a good one slip from my mind. Please feel free to remind me of any that I miss.

And now....in no particular order.

1. Scrooged - because it makes me laugh.....and for the toaster.

2. Trapped in Paradise.....because it was one of the first "ritual" movies that Ricki and I established in our newly wed existence....and because it makes me laugh just thinking about it.

3. Walt Disney's 1983 "Mickey's Christmas Carol" for the memories.

4. The Polar Express, because I get to watch it with the kids, and because the opening scene with the train rolling in with Digital with the Bose cranking is awesome.

5. White Christmas, because it's tradition and Crosby and Kaye are timeless as was their "Sisters" routine.

6. Holiday Inn, because it's a classic and it has the word Holiday in the title.

7. Home Alone because it reminds me what it was to be young and inventive.

8. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, to remind me of what can be Good, Bad, and Ugly about the Holidays.

9. Joy to the World (LDS production) because it's only 5 minutes long and brings the whole season into focus....and can be watched several times to keep the focus as needed.

We have gotten quite a bit of snow the last few days. For some reason the schools have cancelled even though it wasn't really that bad so the boys have been getting quite a bit of playtime in. This morning I headed out with a few other trail runners to tackle the steepest section of trail in the area which beats me up pretty bad in good conditions. The drifts ranged from mid-shin to hip deep. We started at 6:30am, obviously dark and with wind chill about 10 degrees. It took us an hour to get 2 miles up the trail, past the point where a snowshoer (one who snowshoes) had turned around I might add, before turning around and running like a bunch of wild animals down the hill in deep snow. Very hard work but tons of fun. Then I got to take the boys out into it. The snow was deep and light which made for excellent play conditions. We sledded, although somehow I forgot to take pictures, and spent a ton of time just tramping around, digging, and having snowball fights. Kre's favorite activity was eating the snow and making me take my gloves off to wipe the snow from his face. We had a blast. What a great day.

Funny Video from Kristen

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Keelyn's Laugh

It's been awhile since we posted so here is a cute little video of Keelyn laughing. Brig just had her cracking up!