Happy New Year!

Wishing you all the best in 2008! I know this year is going to be so much better than the last (in fact, much better than my last ten years have been) A time of new beginnings!

Andrea Bocelli - Laura Pausini duet

Andrea Bocelli - Laura Pausini duet

Speaking of new things in my life.....this is the new style of music that I love! My mom was a fan of Bocelli, but I was never interested in it until now. I love this duet. I love when Andrea falls to his knees and takes Laura's hand! They have such a chemistry together. Don't you love that salt-and-pepper hair? Did I mention this guy is ITALIAN? Did I also mention he sings more like an angel than Josh does? (sigh!)

Merry Christmas!

'Tis the season.......to be busy! We started out Christmas Eve with the annual Opening of the Pajamas for Katie and Emily (not a planned tradition--it's just happened that way over the years!)

Christmas Eve night we go to Barb and Brad's for the traditional turkey dinner and Rob Your Neighbor game (the highlight of the evening!) Before dinner, we had to, of course, have a little nativity scene fun. Note how the shepherds, wise men, sheep, and angels are mingling and networking. This is the scene you don't see every day! ;o)

Lauren and 98-year-old Gram visit before dinner.

Barb and her sister-in-law, Lauren (not to be confused with our Lauren!) make preparations.

Christmas morning started with gift opening! Then getting ready for the family to come over for breakfast and gift exchange.

Baby Aly was the star of the day as you can see!

"Aunt Mary Jo is my favorite!" - Aly (hee! hee!)

Cousins!

The traditional Mintman sibs picture (just like when we were kids....do you think we might all look at the camera and smile at the same time?!)

Christmas Angels

Merry Christmas!

Katie and Emily show off their new shirts from Diana. Thanks, Diana!

Katie baked a birthday cake for her friend, Chris, in Texas, took these pictures and then emailed them. The modern way of sending birthday wishes to friends far off!

Believe - Josh Groban

This man has the voice of an angel!

Flannel B'jamas

Diana gave me these cool pajamas (actually mine are light pink but I couldn't find the picture on the web and YOU are not going to see me in my pajamas which I am wearing right now!) These are the best, most comfy things I have ever worn!!


I never realized this, but when I'm relaxed I guess I go back to my childhood. I was talking to Kristen the other night, and she laughed and said, "I like how you pronounce 'pajamas' with a 'b'!" I never realized I say, "B'jamas" when I say it fast! :o) It's great to be a kid again this Christmas!

I'm listening to Josh Groban's "Believe" as I type this. I think I will continue listening to this way after Christmas. Check out the cool video of him performing it!

Children, sleeping.

Snow is softly falling.

Dreams are calling,

Like bells in the distance.

We were dreamers,

Not so long ago.

But one by one, we

All had to grow up.

When it seems the magic slipped away...

We find it all again on Christmas Day.

Believe in what your heart is saying,

Hear the melody that's playing.

There's no time to waste,

There so much to celebrate.

Believe in what you feel inside,

Give your dreams the wings to fly.

You have everything you need, if you just believe.

Trains move quickly

To their journey's end.

Destinations...

Are where we begin again.

Ships go sailing,

Far across the sea.

Trusting starlight,

To get where they need to be.

When it seems that we have lost our way...

We find ourselves again on Christmas Day.

Believe in what your heart is saying,

Hear the melody that's playing

There's no time to waste,

There so much to celebrate.

Believe in what you feel inside,

And give your dreams the wings to fly.

You have everything you need, if you just

Believe.

If you just believe.

If you just believe.

If you just believe...just believe...just believe.