Christmas Day

ah, Christmas morning at the Romaneski house. laughter was abundant, and good times were had by all. ths year was especially fun as we got to enjoy Jess's presence (and presents). :) Last year Jon and Jess were on their honeymoon, so we missed them! here are some highlights, as demonstrated through photos.

Jess painted this for my parents. isn't she an amazing artist?


jonathan got a special award, i mean present. on the box was written "fragile" (not really, but it would've been a good touch) and when he opened it up he found a magnificent piece of art. (you'll only appreciate this if you've seen the movie A Christmas Story, which is a Romaneski favorite.)

"Only one thing could pull me away from the warm glow of electric sex in the window..."


Jon and Hayley.




since J&J are moving to Ft. Hood, they got a lot of Texas paraphernalia, including this gift from Dan. this gives new meaning to "taking the bull by the horns."


Dan gave me a yard of bubblegum balls! (he got tired of me stealing from his.)


i got some really awesome and goofy presents this year...i guess it's a reflection of my fun-loving personality?...i'm kind of a big deal, you know. :)


dan dons the goofy hat.


gramps with the goofy hat.



it all was a bit too much for molly. she "lay there like a slug. it was her only defense." (can you name that movie quote?)

Christmas Eve

Last night was our annual Christmas Smorgasbord dinner at Mom and Dad's house in Old Town, Alexandria. It was a full house: Jess and Jon, Dan, three grandparents, Uncle Tom and Aunt Marcia, Aunt Paula, Cousin Jess and Winston all the way from Texas, Chris and Sara (Jess's parents), two dogs and two cats. Oh, and tons of awesome food and desserts!

decorated firetruck

Last night I was on the phone with a good friend of mine (Robin) when I heard sirens and loud Christmas music. It wouldn't stop and only got louder. I stepped outside and saw a firetruck coming down out cul-de-sac. Only it wasn't a regular firetruck; it was completely decorated with Christmas lights and had a Santa sitting on top!! Robin couldn't understand why I was so excited and hyper, but it's not every day that you have a decorated firetuck with Santa outside your house! :)

A Christmas version of 1 Corinthians 13

this is pretty cool, unfortunately, i don't know who the author is.

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure.

You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.

family dinner at my house

singing "the 12 days of Christmas on the ithmus" (panamanian version)


dad plays bop-it

graham cracker creations

Last night we attempted to make gingerbread houses (except with graham crackers, not gingerbread). it was interesting, to say the least.

this is the "meticulous" team. they planned for about 45 minutes before starting construction.

gavin was very proud of the final product.


this is the "laid back" team...their creation started out as Stonehenge and ended up a slanted igloo.



of course, no party at our house would be complete without some hula-hooping. :)

Poll: how much is too much?

This Christmas Season I've noticed several houses that have gone above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to decorations. Garnished lawns jam-packed with characters and blinking lights have caused me sensory-stimulation-overloads and driving distractions. And it's made me stop and contemplate the reasons behind the dramatic ornamentation. Perhaps it's a "keeping up with the Joneses" complex, a tangible reflection of the American tendency to think "the bigger the better," or maybe it has to do with parents feeling pressure from their kids. But whatever the case, outdoor decorating for the holidays has become quite the endeavor and expense.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love Christmas decorations; I think they add so much to the season and festivities. But when do they cross the line from tasteful to tacky? Or is there no longer a line? How much is too much?





And another thing: what's with all the inflatable Christmas decorations* that are in yards these days? How do you all feel about those things? I'd love to hear your input, especially if you're a regular blog-reader who's just never left a comment (*cough* randy). You can use the following options to indicate your opinion, or just create your own:

a. They're terrible and tacky. If there was one in my neighborhood I would pop it with an ice pick.

b. I live next door to an inflatable-character owner, and I don't mind. But that doesn't mean I want one in my yard.

c. I love 'em! What did we ever do without them? Christmas is so much more Christmas-y with those guys around! I wish I could afford to buy one for my yard.

d. Hey! How'd you get a photo of my house?






*Inflatable Christmas decorations are "highly visible, festive, novelty items that add excitement and fun to your front yard. They are basically giant nylon or vinyl balloons. They can crown any piece of your property, from the peak of your roof to your snowy driveway. They are made of heavy-duty material to withstand all kinds of weather, including sleet and frost.You can purchase them deflated in a carrying case, and then inflate them for seasonal use. Inflatables are a perfect choice for Christmas, since they can be snugly tucked away in a closet or garage until next December...
An electrical pump accompanies new inflatable Christmas decorations. You have probably seen many varieties of inflatable Christmas decorations as you did your holiday shopping or brought peanut brittle to your neighbors. There is Santa Claus waving, sitting atop a sleigh, popping out of an inflatable chimney, or holding Mrs. Claus's hand. A vignette could be created with a Nutcracker, Christmas tree, and a gift-laden train. Or you could position a snowman to watch the elves as they tie Rudolph and the other reindeer to the sleigh.Since they are designed to attract attention outdoors, these novelty items are usually quite large. A candy cane could reach up to 10 ft (3 m).
A penguin and polar bear would dwarf the real creatures. Even inflatable Christmas decorations in the shape of your favorite cartoon character could tower above the trees. Best of all, they can be outfitted with small light bulbs, so they are just as merry at night as they are during the day." (taken from an online ad for Inflatable Christmas decorations)

Thanks for reading, and thanks in advance for your insight. I just want to understand the world around me better, and your comments help.

Merry Christmas, from my scantily-decorated house. :)

Jonathan's graduation from flight school 12-14

On December 14th, my brother graduated (with honors!) from Army Flight School. Mom, Dad, and I flew down to join Jonathan and Jessica in celebrating. Jess's parents, Aunt, and grandparents came too!

J&J got all dressed up and went to the Graduation Ball. Aren't they a stunning couple? :)



Those blue pants come up really high! Jon did a Steve Urkel impersonation...





Here we are moments after the ceremony.


This photo shows off his fancy silver wings. :)



After the ceremony, Jon took us out to the Airfield to see and explore an Apache helicopter.


Jack (Jess's grandpa) held all the women's purses. :)





Dad in the pilot's seat:





"I love this machine. It's such an amazing aircraft!" 1st Lieutenant Romaneski :)

Laura's visit 12/7-12/9

This past weekend Laura drove out to NoVA for a visit...so great to see her again!



On Friday we ventured into DC to check on our former students and co-workers at Cornerstone. It was a fun afternoon.



After school we hit up the local Popeye's for some amazing biscuits and fries.