Merry Christmas!

Greetings to everyone, We hope all are well! We would like to wish each one of you a very merry Christmas and give you our best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year.

For us, today is celebrated like no other Christmas we can remember. So far away from all of our friends, family and everything familiar we reflect back and share stories of Christmas passed. We wish you weren’t miles and miles away, but you should know that you’ll be here in our hearts for the holidays…..and all through the coming year!

The month was a busy one for all! Preparing for the holiday in a city such as this is quite an "event". Personally, I’ve never had such a hard time staying focused before now! I’ll blame it on the newness of everything and the excitement that surrounds us here!
Shopping malls….oh my! There are so many! In fact, they don’t feel crowded in the sense that we’ve experienced in other places. We’ve decided that this may be because there are so many! Shopping was easy and actually relaxing in a way. There was lots of time left to actually gawk at the decorations! As I’ve mentioned before – there is a theme for every hotel, mall, etc… The creativity is amazing! Christmas is no exception!

Robert is experiencing some positive changes in his job this month. They have a new manager – a woman! She has put forth some organization that the company has needed. Along with this change, his hard work was recognized with a promotion and a raise! The company is definitely taking care of their employees! Robert is very happy with his job and it shows! Congratulations Honey!

My other "man" received a promotion as well this month! Randall is still employed with Allied Barton Securities and was given his own property! He looks after the business of Qualcomm. This company develops and delivers digital wireless communications products and services based on its CDMA digital technology (I copied that from the internet!) Anyway, along with his full-time status he was also given a raise! He has chosen to work the graveyard shifts…..much to mama’s dislike! (Scary stuff having your little boy out all night!) (Ok….so he’s 20 and not a LITTLE boy any longer!) He is such a night owl though – so this works out wonderful for him! Great job, Randall!!

Me – I think I’ve finally adjusted to being in a two-story home. Having spent the last 6 months running up and down the stairs and then forgetting why I did so are becoming far and few between! Great workout but I’d rather spend my time doing
something a lot more fun. The bird toy business is doing fine and I actually feel somewhat caught-up after the move. The birds enjoy the fact that I’m still working at home but are still somewhat perplexed as to why I disappear upstairs during the day. In fact, they’ve let me know that they don’t appreciate it by asking me "what’s yur name?" when I reappear. (We’ve kept the upstairs a secret from them as it is carpeted throughout!).

Away from Byrdbell Company, I’ve met a couple of new friends! With their help, I’ve enjoyed having a social life again!
An invitation has come about to join a group called The Silver State Ghost Group. The group tours old haunts in the surrounding area. It sounds like fun but I’m hesitant……as I’ve been reminded by my guys that I have a very active imagination as it is! We’ll see how that goes.
I did find a nice Beading group that meets once a week. The jewelry that they produce is amazing! Perhaps this is more my line of enjoyment. Time will tell.

We’re having a stay-at-home Christmas. I’ve been baking for the past three days so the kitchen is full of goodies! The guys insisted that that part not change and had their orders in before Thanksgiving! Both also submitted their lists for goodie exchanges at work.
I miss the sharing that we had in Beaverton! While I love to bake, it was always nice to sample the labors of love from others!
After looking over the requested menu and inserting MY favorites – the three of us will be eating Christmas dinner for a week! Should any of you be in the area – please don’t hesitate to stop by! There will be plenty of food and we’d love the company!

Oh – I can’t write a blog without mentioning the weather! We are finally experiencing what Las Vegas feels like in the winter! Sunny…yes! But the temps are now in the low 30’s at night! It does warm up to about 50 during the day so we can thaw out! No rain so far – although a cloud does drift by every once in awhile. I’ve actually caught myself looking up and wondering if that one passed over all of you in the Northwest!

We hope to hear from you when you have the time! Merry Christmas Everybody!
Love,
Robert, Crystal, Randall, Bindy, and the Flock.