Can you solve our Colorful Christmas Crossword (2008)?

This year's Christmas puzzle is a fun, themed crossword. And there is a secret surprise video if you are able to solve it. Take a look at our Christmas Puzzle for 2008.

Note: The answer key is posted now, but try to solve it without looking at it.

Thanksgiving 2008 - Turkey for Dessert

We are really thankful for any opportunities to get together with family to talk, laugh and play. This year there were 16 around the table(s) at Mum and Dad's.

If you'd like to see some of the photos, click the link to our Thanksgiving 2008 Photo Album.

By the way, the photo above is of Felicia's croquembouche dessert (chocolate and orange filled cream puffs), decorated as a cute turkey.

Halloween 2008 - Clue Characters

I'm sure many of you grew up playing Clue (or Cluedo outside the U.S.) and are very familiar with the colorful, iconic characters in the game (from left to right Mrs. White, Miss Scarlet, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock, Colonel Mustard and Professor Plum). Since there 6 suspect characters, split evenly between men and women, it seemed like the perfect Halloween Costume theme for us this year.

Like most years, Felicia spent many weeks with long days sewing all the costumes, starting with the idea in early October to completed costumes a week before Halloween. Apart from Michael's pants, everything you see was the result of Felicia's sewing talents.

Blaine's costume included such touches as a leopard-print ascot, epaulettes, a monocle and an embroidered name tag for "Colonel Mustard".

Felicia found a beautiful "feather brocade" fabric for the bodice and cuffs of her dress. Also notice the real peacock feathers on her hat.

Michael's coat was a purple herringbone pattern, fully lined and included four working pockets. The corduroy vest and bowtie were also sewn by Felicia.

Rosemary was thrilled to play a sexy Mrs. White and to have her hair up in a French Twist. Felicia worked up a flattering design that flairs out slightly at the knees. We have to think twice about letting her out of the house in this.

Jason, played the role of the rich tycoon in a green "smoking" jacket. His tie had a dollar sign pattern and his pockets were filled with wads of "Mr. Green money" to give away. I'm not sure if it influenced the judges, but it seemed that people were reluctant to say the Mr. Green was responsible for Mr. Boddy's murder, after that.

Amara was a stylish Hollywood starlet, Miss Scarlet. She was thrilled with all the details from the ruffles on the skirt to the fluffy/furry cover-up.

In the past, Felicia would have been sewing right up to Halloween. But this year we wanted to join two local costume contests which were held the weekend before Halloween. On Saturday we went to the parade and costume contest near Blaine's parents. We were proud to win first place in the family/group category. (This is in addition to the individual awards that Blaine and Michael received in their respective age groups.) Then on Sunday, we entered the costume contest downtown. Not only did we win first place in the group category but we received a special Best In Show trophy recognizing efforts both this year and in prior years. It was quite an honor.

We spent much of the time during the parade insisting, "I didn't do it" then pointing fingers at another suspect like "Professor Plum, in the Study with the Lead Pipe". Each person had somewhat shady alibis and really got into their characters. Rosemary couldn't explain why she spent an inordinate amount of time dusting fingerprints off a candlestick. Amara offered her autograph to anyone that would say she was innocent. And Jason was handing out

$100 bills to anyone that would side with him. Colonel Mustard tried unsuccessfully to deny that he could have used a revolver, so just kept deflecting suspicion over to Mrs. Peacock. I think the crowds liked getting involved too.

Photos from Our Trip Around Iceland

We just got back from a 2-week vacation in Iceland. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking and we saw lots of things on our drive all around Iceland.

Happy New Year 2008!

Photos from New Year's Eve
While the kids were with grandparents and other family, Felicia and I got to be grown-ups and have an evening out.

It was a great celebration at the Claremont Hotel with jazz, salsa, swing, etc. There was a dinner show with music from the decades, dance lessons, a comedy club and a casino. All in all a fun way to ring in the New Year!