The Annual Christmas Pickle Hunt

German tradition states that Christmas Eve, St. Nicholas, when he comes down the chimney to leave presents, he also hangs a pickle shaped ornament on the tree. In the morning, the children in the house race to find the ornament. The first person to find the pickle gets a special pickle present.

First I have to wait at the top of the stairs with the other kids for the official "go".

Racing down the stairs; I’m in the lead!

Searching for the pickle…

I found it! This means I get a present!

Settlers of Catan. This looks fun!

Hi from Riley in snowy Iowa!

Hi! I'm Riley, the newest addition to the family. I just moved here from Florida. Why would anyone make a poor baby sheep move to Iowa when it's super duper cold outside?

Do you see how much of this white stuff there is? When will summer come?

One of the first things that I noticed after moving to Iowa is all of the reindeer! Santa must love Iowa, so many from him to pick from! I hope they don't eat sheep. We're not very tasty, I promise!

How's that baby reindeer breathing in the snow like that? The poor thing must be cold!

After seeing the snow and how cold it is in Iowa (-25 below zero is just sick and wrong), I got to go to school and meet some of my professors. You can see me cuddling with one below:

Oh my! This sweater is made out of wool. I hope that no poor sheep were harmed in the making of this sweater!

Hmm... That sweater was a bit scary, I think I'll try some hot chocolate instead:

Ohh, so warm! I'd better be careful, I don't want to spill any on me!

Whew! Writing this made me tired. I think I'll take a nap and go sledding in a bit. I'll be writing more soon - so stay tuned. :)

P.S. Look who I got to meet!

I hope I get to grow up to be big and strong too!

Seattle with Justin

Justin came to visit the Sleepy Sheepy resort back in November. After getting into a bit of trouble cooking Thanksgiving dinner we thought it would be a good idea to show him Seattle. Little did we know what mischief he would get us into.

DJ made fun of me, but Justin fixed that

How you feel now DJ?

Well we eventually got away from those nasty gulls. Good thing they couldn't close their jaws. I must admit it was a bit of a tight fit. Must be time for a post holiday diet.

Next we thought a tour on a ferry would be nice. Maybe we'll even get in a Titanic impersonation.

Not so bad so far, that's the sister boat across the way.
Exactly like what we were on

Are we there yet? There's not much out here

What? you mean that isn't the end, it's just the beginning

Silly space needle, pretending to be all tall

Ohh, fresh air it's kind of nice out here

My Heart will go on...
If only I could breathe, wow it's windy

We is good watch sheep!!

Hmm, not doing so well at cards, I bet he's a terrorist

This is why we love Seattle, not sure Erin likes the wet wool smell though

Thanks for visiting the Resort Justin!! Always happy to show you the city. Just let us know when you're moving out here, ok?

Mommy, where do sheep come from?

Well when two sheep really love each other...

Addison
(Get your minds out of the gutter, its was just a bubble wrap padded envelope.)

I just remembered we never officially welcomed Addison to the group. Maybe that is why we never hear for the little lamb. Addison lived with us for a while and then moved to in with Mikey. We don't hear from Addison much anymore but considering that Mikey went of to doctor school we understand. Mikey needs all the help that he can get. Don't wear yourself out too much Addison!

Presents are Finally Present

Here's the "quick" version of the background of how we had to deal with a grumpy Erin this last month.

December 7th - Erin made us sit in the other room while she ordered our Christmas presents online. There was much rejoicing. She told us she ordered them from Georgia. There was a little less rejoicing.

December 9th - Erin received confirmation that packages were sent via UPS.

December 15th - Package is attempted to be delivered by UPS, however "THE APARTMENT NUMBER IS MISSING OR IS INCORRECT. UPS IS ATTEMPTING TO OBTAIN THIS INFORMATION." Erin doesn't know this at the time because no one calls and tells her. How do they obtain information? Ouija board?

December 18th (Morning) - Seattle Snow Storm of 2008 hits.

December 18th (Afternoon) - Erin tracks package and calls to inform UPS of correct apartment number. UPS writes "A DELIVERY CHANGE REQUEST FOR THIS PACKAGE WILL BE PROCESSED / DELIVERY TO AN ALTERNATE ADDRESS WAS REQUESTED." Erin doesn't understand why the UPS people have to scream everything. She maybe blind but she can still read.

December 18th - Erin checks her order to see that there was the correct apartment number on the original order.

December 19th - Erin tracks package to see some of the same old stuff being written. She realizes they have to scream everything because their computers don't work and they have to communicate by screaming across the country instead.

December 22nd - Erin tracks package to see "EMERGENCY CONDITIONS BEYOND UPS' CONTROL." She notes this to us while we watch the mail truck drive by. Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow, nor gloom of night...you go mailman! You show those smelly brown short delivery guys how to deliver.

December 23rd - Erin calls UPS worried that her packages will be left in the snow while she goes home for vacation. UPS refuses to hold packages until the first attempt of delivery happens. A.K.A. UPS driver must make it to our door. UPS suggests leaving a note that we are gone and to not leave package. Erin mutters something about also leaving the door unlocked and posting fliers around town saying there is a open house for robbers. UPS assures Erin that if the packages are damaged, she can file a claim to get them replaced. How nice.

December 30th - Erin calls about package. Erin makes agreement with UPS to go pick up package that night. Erin goes but they say the package is on the storage truck which won't be opened until January 2nd because of the holidays. UPS also assures Erin that they will deliver the package on January 2nd.

January 2nd - No package. Erin tracks package. It says "THE SHIPPER HAS REQUESTED A DELIVERY INTERCEPT FOR THIS PACKAGE / RETURN TO SENDER PENDING" Erin calls and is told she can't get the package delivered.

January 2nd - Erin goes to pick up packages. After 30 minutes in line and seeing only one person successfully leave with a package. Erin is able to pick up one package (a replacement cell phone that was next day delivery that took 2.5 weeks and she had to pick it up herself.) but not before Erin having to describe the package and then watching the UPS guy drop her package on the floor. Erin was informed that "THE DELIVERY INTERCEPT REQUEST FOR THIS PACKAGE WAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED / SHIPPER REQUESTED RETURN OF PACKAGE" Apparently the Georgia company thought it was taking too long and requested the package be returned while they sent a new package FedEx.

January 5th - Erin goes to work and FedEx delivers the package outside the door. If you think we are going to wait for Erin to come home and give us our presents you're crazy. We went into Operation Retrieve Present. It was hard but there is strong and then there is sheep strong. Which is slightly weaker than normal strong but no door was going to stand in the way of our present we waited a month to get.

Just a little higher...I almost have it...
o wait its locked.

We didn't even get the package in the door before D.J. had the package ripped open and was inside looking for the goods.

I think I found something!

Ooo they are great! I can't believe Erin found them. And they will be so useful in our new home. I think it was worth the wait. I tell D.J. and Chris to get together and show off the gifts while I take a picture. Say cheese.

Oops I got a little bit of my hoof in that one.

January 7th - We mail presents to Marty, Jeremy, Aerin and Taylor. Hope you get yours soon! Don't worry we sent it United States Postal Service, so there should be no problem.

January 8th - Meanwhile, back on the ranch...Erin checks status of original UPS package. It is currently in Maumee, OH.

January 11th - Original package is still in the care of UPS in Montgomery, AL

January 12th = RETURNED TO SHIPPER.

Card in Mail

I got a card in the mail that I thought I would share with you all.

Thanks John :)