Red Ryder BB Gun

There is one Christmas gift I had wanted since I was 8 years old.

An Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle.

Every year I hoped for one and every year I was disappointed. My parents said it was because they didn't want me to shoot my eye out, but I think the real reason was that they were worried that I would shoot my brother.

Which probably would have happened.

Last year I decided to ask Santa one last time for the gift that has eluded me for the last 25 years.

It didn't go well.

After a swift kick to the face, forcing me down the slide, I gave up on my dream and decided it was time to move on. To find a new dream.

That all changed Christmas morning. I had finally made it off of the naughty list. The big guy finally came through. There it was. Hiding in the corner. A Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle.

It was a thing of beauty and I couldn't wait to try it out.

I even got a video of the first time I pulled the trigger.

If the video won't play, click here to see it on YouTube

And to see the original from the movie, click here.

It was also the only time I pulled the trigger.


Oh...and don't forget to get involved.

T-Minus 19 days until Christmas...

T'was the night before Christmas...

The other night when Reilly and I were getting ready for bed, I could sense that he wanted to hear a story.  

With Christmas on my mind, I decided to tell him one of the most recited Christmas stories:

T'was the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.

Wait a second.... 

Sugar-plums?!?!  What kid in their right mind dreams of sugar-plums?

I have NEVER had a dream about sugar-plums, and I certainly wouldn't the night before Christmas.

Now that's more like it...

Pretty sure if he could speak he would be saying,
"Please stop torturing me!"

Did any of you notice that the price tag is still on the footie pajamas that I got from the kids department at Target for Reilly to wear?

Yup.

That's why you always wash your clothes before wearing them.

T-minus 20 days until Christmas...

Santa Snowman

What do you do when you go to the dollar store and see some hideous Santa decorations? You buy them and force your parents to take pictures.

It sort of looks like a snowman made
out of Santa faces.

And as if holding Santa masks wasn't weird enough, I decided we should step it up a notch on the creep-o-meter and stick out our tongues.

I'm not sure if I look more like my
mom or my dad, but it is clear that I
got my tongue from my mom.

In other Santa/Snowman news: Is anyone else concerned about the subliminal messages being told to children in Frosty the Snowman?

T-minus 21 days until Christmas...