Christmas at Mom's

Wednesday, December 22, 2004

Shortly on my way!!!

Bags are packed, and we have 2 inches of snow on the ground, and more to come. Looks like it’s going to be a long 2 days – I just hope I don’t say “Hi Mom – where’s the couch?”

 

I’m working a half day today – OK, maybe working isn’t the correct term – and all that is going through my head is a list of things I need to make sure fit in the car. I believe Tom and Angie are almost in Boston by now – I hope you guys are having fun!

 

But most of all – I’m hoping that Mom will forgive her lying, sneaky children…

 

Love you Mom!!!

 

Amy

 

 

WE ARE OFF !!!!!!

It is 0345. We are ready to go..........................................................................

Operation Christmas @ Mom's.....................................................................
Execute...............................

Tuesday, December 21, 2004

The final lie

This is my final post to the Christmas web site until we surprise Mom. I
will be spending tomorrow with Tom and Angie and Scott, running around
Boston and freezing our bunnies off. Mom will think I am at work, but I
can't e-mail her or respond to her e-mails, as the network will be
"down". (This is what I will be telling her when I call tomorrow.)

I am really looking forward to seeing everyone - and to not having to lie
anymore!

Merry Christmas to everyone!

K

Packed and Ready!

We are packed and ready to go. We took Gizmo to the vet and dropped him off with a pillow and one of his baby animals to keep him company. We have bad weather coming in late tomorrow but we will be in Boston by lunch time. It won't be near freezing tonight so Angie won't have to see them de-ice the plane. That makes her a little happier. Weather Channel says 50 to 70 percent chance of a white X-mas. We will see........ Leaving the house at about 4:00 in the morning so it will be off to bed early tonight.

Sorry Mom...

Yes, we have all had to lie to keep Mom in the dark. Contrary to Tom’s belief, it is extremely difficult for me to lie to Mom – she still has that radar of hers and can always tell when I’m feeling bad about something. I thought for sure she was on to me because I had to pause before every answer I give to her to make sure I’m not spilling anything. After all that we have done to make this a surprise it would kill me if I was the weak link.

 

We have all the stocking stuffers wrapped and we’re finishing laundry tonight. I only work a half a day tomorrow (I’m scared Mom will email me – but if I don’t answer then maybe she’ll think I’m sick.) so I have plenty of time to finish the packing and cat proof the house. This will be the longest we’ve been away from the cats ever (I believe) so I’m preparing myself for the worse. We’ve already taken the breakable items off the tree. But, we have some good friends and fellow cat people that are going to be visiting them while we are gone.

 

Heather is out of school and is excited to go on the trip – she received a ton of money for Christmas from Neil’s family, and even received a gift card from her grand parents in St. Louis (first Christmas gift from them in 3 years) so I see a lot of shopping in our future… J

 

See you guys in 44 hours!

 

Amy

 

 

New Year's Eve

It has been discussed (and recomended by several people I know) about spending New Year's Eve in Boston. I am in favor of this, but will follow Amy's lead, as this is her trip home. If we go down to Boston for NYE, I have a friend who lives up on the north side (she overlooks the Old North Church) that I would like to meet up with if this is okay with everyone.

Neil

Monday, December 20, 2004

Yes - It's true

I did have to fib to Mom on Sunday when I called. I know that she will forgive us when she sees the surprise when cooked up for her. Had my last day of work today and getting ready for the trip.

Now I'm not the only one!

Tom called me yesterday. He said he finally told Mom that they would not
be coming for Christmas - that Angie had used up all her vacation time, and
they couldn't come to Maine this year like they had wanted to.

I talked to Mom this morning. She said she spoke to Amy this weekend, and
asked if they were having Christmas at her house. Amy said yes, and Mom
believes her.

So, now EVERYONE has fibbed to Mom about our plans. I'M not the ONLY ONE.

Nyah! How does it feel? Dirty?!?

Friday, December 17, 2004

Merry Christmas to my Brothers and Sister!

All of my Christmas packages are in the mail. If you guys don't get them
by Thursday, call me at Mom's and yell at me.

Can't believe it is almost a week away! Hope there's snow when I get
home! On with the craziest weekend of the year!

Thursday, December 16, 2004

Hat's off to us!

I got these for us to wear when we arrive at Mom's. They're a little different, the writing is on the red part of the hat. I got an extra one for Mom, too. I figure it would make for a very funny photo op!

Question - Are we bringing the presents we are giving to our spouses or just the ones for each other and Mom? And what about stockings? Stockings were a very important thing in the Winterbottom Household - it was Dad's favorite! (I usually do Mom's - I just want to know if we are bringing them?)

Wednesday, December 15, 2004

Cell Phone Check

We are planning on meeting you guys at the baggage claim at the airport. If you guys aren't there when we get there, then we'll just sit there and wait. The only way I'll be there at 5:30 is because I won't be sleeping. I don't expect you guys to be there on time so don't stress!
Let's synchronize our cell phones - please post any cell phone numbers that will be there on the trip.

Amy: 303-514-0490
Neil: 303-204-0653

Mom's Christmas box will be mailed today - it has her gifts and Kathi's , just like every year. Plus, I mailed her a Christmas card with pictures of Heather - if she has any suspicions then this should take care of them.

-Amy


This is turning into Melrose Place

Mom got THE BOX yesterday and when I talked to her, she mentioned that it said do not open until Christmas.  I called Tom, 'cause Mom is pretty strict about such messages, and for all I knew, everyone would end up waiting in the driveway for 2 days until Mom opened the box, so I said I was going to call Tom.  So I did, and we chatted for a few, and he said he would call her and tell her it would be okay for us to open the box when I got home.

Then, Tom decided to throw me under the bus. 

He called Mom, said it was okay to open the box when I got home, and then they started talking about my squirrel problem.  Tom ended up asking Mom if she thought I had been lying or telling stories about the squirrel, and from what I understand, her comment was "Who knows?"  So, when he called me and told me about it, I figured I'd exact my revenge.

I called Mom this morning, and told her Tom called me last night and was really mad at me and accused me of lying to Mom about the squirrel.  Then I said he told me she said I lied to her all the time, and that she never knew when I was telling the truth.  I must say, I was pretty convincing.  I started to cry and asked her if she said that, and if she did it really hurt my feelings.  She said no, that she didn't say that to Tom, and said she would call him and straighten it out.  I said not (sniff) to (sniff) bother (sniff), I would be (sniff) fine.  We ended the conversation with me saying I had been under a lot of stress (true) and that I'd be okay. (also true, in case anyone is keeping a tally of my lies).

As soon as we got off the phone, Mom called Tom and told him how upset I was.  (I had reached him first and warned him it was coming). 

So, long story short, Mom thinks Tom and I are fighting.  Hee....

Monday, December 13, 2004

Re: I can finally post..

Amy,
I think that is a great idea for the confetti. I will have my video camera with me and will get the revenge on tape. As far as the stuff we do while we are there, the coast would be interesting in the winter and anything else we do is fine with us. We too are looking forward to having a nice time with our family.

Tom & Angie

Cookies & Goodies

Mom just e-mailed me and asked what kind of cookies I wanted her to bake
this year. She has already made cranberry/orange bread and fudge. She is
planning on making the decorated cookies on Friday. I asked her to make
Congo bars. If anyone wants another kind of cookie, let me know, and I'll
ask her to make them.

10 days and counting....

Oh, and the squirrels are gone. The Boston Fire dept took care of
that. For more details, go to my blog.

Friday, December 10, 2004

I can finally post!!!!

OK – my testing is done and now that you all have my work phone and fax (oops) I can get onto the real stuff. The only thing I have to add, other then I’m really excited for this trip, is I would like to do something a little different on the arrival.

 

Mom and I have had this “thing” for a couple of years – we each send confetti to each other in cards and try to make as big a mess for the other to clean as possible. Being the sly fox that I am (damn nose keeps getting in my way for some reason) I have taken to opening cards very slowly over the trash can. Also being the stupid moron that I can be (there, now I can see again) I told Mom this. “You’ll never get me – I’m too smart for that trick!” (Hey dad – what’s that on your shirt?). So, my mother being the highly intelligent and beautiful woman that she is (she is going to read this eventually – right???), she put confetti in the tissue that was wrapped around my birthday present. Not only did she get me – but I opened it IN MY CAR. If I look hard enough I’m sure I can find a “Happy Birthday” somewhere even 4 months later.

 

Now, I have been dreaming about how I could get her back, and as soon as I found out we were able to make it, it came to me. After Kathi shows up and opens Tom and Angie’s box, then they are going to show up. I would like to wait about 20 minutes or so (I can show Heather and Neil the old stomping ground) then we will ring the doorbell. Please try to keep Mom in the kitchen if possible (I may wait only 10 minutes or so). Once Mom opens the door I can extract my revenge by tossing confetti on her and then I will have won the confetti war (after, that is, I pull out the vacuum and clean up my mess) J

 

This is the only thing that I am going to really ask for, and I hope no one will be mad at me. I don’t think this will ruin any other plans, and this way we will all get a few minutes of Mom’s time before the chaos starts. After this – I’m game for just about anything. Tom has mentioned Freeport to me, which I agree would be a good time (let’s show Heather what high class dinning is – McD’s with tablecloths!) and I have mentioned the coast to him – which I think he agreed on (last one in is a rotten egg!) Mostly, I just want to have a nice time with my family.

 

Scott – I would be honored if you would join me and Neil and Heather at the door with us, but it is completely up to you where you would like to fit in. I might even share some of my confetti with you J

 

So, that is my thoughts. Any others?

 

Amy

testing

This is Amy – testing…

 

Have a Happy Holiday!

 

Amy Ikerd

Lakewood Measurement

Kinder Morgan Inc.

Ph. 303-914-4813

Fax: 303-984-3354

 

Bizarro Boston

Hi!  This is Scott and I’m looking forward to meeting you folks.  For those making the trip to Boston here’s a link to some of the more colorful history of my hometown:

 

http://www.boston-online.com/bizarro.html

 

Attention

If anyone is having trouble posting to the blog, e-mail me and I will give
you the password to e-mail your posts in.

Kat

Testing

Do I work?

Test

Testing 1.2.3.............



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Thursday, December 09, 2004

The "Decoy Box".

The following pictures show us packing Mom's "Decoy Box". All the presents are headed to Kathi's house via UPS as I am typing this. When we all get together we can decide how to surprise Mom. If anybody has suggestions, please post them here........


Gizmo doesn't want to go in the box..... Sorry Grandma..... Posted by Hello


The sign at the bottom............ Posted by Hello


Hope the peanuts don't end up in somebodys nose............... Posted by Hello


Help...........Can't breathe..........can't smell........................ Posted by Hello


A Packing Peanut Boar...... Posted by Hello


Angie made this last year. We couldn't ship it last year because it was to heavy with the other stuff we sent. Makes a pefect weight for a "decoy box". Posted by Hello


Candy. Yummy Posted by Hello


TAA DAA............... Posted by Hello


Tape is making me CRAZY! Posted by Hello


Tape...Tape...Tape... Posted by Hello


Almost ready............. Posted by Hello


We mean it!!!!!!! Posted by Hello

Tuesday, December 07, 2004


Our tree......... Posted by Hello


Our Mantle Posted by Hello


Outside Decorations Posted by Hello

flight info from Colorado

Just so we all have it:

Denver to Boston: United Arlines flight 568
Leaves Denver 11:55 pm 12/22/04
Arrives: Boston 5:34 am 12/23/04

Boston to Denver: United Airlines flight 431
Leaves: Boston 7:20 pm 1/2/05
Arrives: Denver 9:53 pm 1/2/05

Tonight, Amy and I are going to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra in concert. Very much looking forward to it. Now, if you'll excuse me I need to return to my book: How to Talk to a Liberal (If You Must) by Anne Coulter.

Neil

Monday, December 06, 2004

Will there be SNOW????????

The last few weeks, Angie and I have been watching the weather to see if there will be snow on the ground for Christmas. Angie says that if she is going to risk her life to get on an airplane in the winter, there better be lots of snow. We went to Wal-Mart the other day to get some new boots for the trip. Angie got size 8 men's boots and has been wearing them around the house to get used to them. I want to make a big snow fort to have a big snowball fight.

T minus 360 hours to Operation Christmas @ Mom's in activated.....

Friday, December 03, 2004

Just so y'all know

Tom has come up with a great way to let Mom in on the surprise. Here's what we're going to do.

When Mom gets Christmas boxes, she always waits for me to come home before she opens them. When I get home we have a grand old time opening the boxes and putting the gifts under the tree.

Tom is going to mail Mom's Christmas box as usual, except it will be fillied only with candy and packing popcorn. At the bottom on the box, there will be a note that says to look out the front window, where everyone (except me) will be waiting.

When we get close to Mom's, I'll let all my passengers out of the car, and they will get into Tom's car. (We'll probably do this either at the bus turnaround or Dick's driveway.) I'll then drive to Mom's and go inside. Give me a few minutes to hug Mom and the usual stuff, and then I'll have Mom open the box. I don't know if I will be able to get the front curtains closed or not - it may rouse her suspicions. Once she opens the box and sees the note, I'll bring her to the living room. When you see her, start honking the horns like crazy (neighbors? what neighbors?) and the fun will begin!