Let It Snow

We actually had a quite a bit of snow fall on the ground in Nampa yesterday morning. I would say that I had about 5-6 inches in my yard. From what I understand from residents who have lived here for a while, that was pretty significant for our area. It was the most we've had in about 3 years. I had a pretty full day planned at work yesterday, but Trey called me up and said, "Daddy, can you come home and play with me in the snow?" My heart melted and I said, "Buddy, I'll be there ASAP!" And I took the day off. Normally, I would be stressing out about all that needed to be done, but this was different.

Trey didn't remember the snow that we used to have in Cincinnati, so he had a ball. We had a snowball fight for nearly an hour (that's no exaggeration) and he built a snowman with Lori. I haven't had that much fun in a long time. I took pics, but forgot my camera at home, so I'll try to upload them tomorrow.

Trey's in that stage where it's cool to do everything Dad does, and I'm enjoying it. I know it's not going to last long! If I wear my knit hat, he has to put on his. If I wear gloves, he runs to find his pair. Whatever I say, he echoes it. I love it!

I have this weird habit of wearing my socks to bed every night, including the summer. If I don't I get a cold. I don't know why or how, it just happens. Well, the other night Lori went into Trey's room to check on him and he was laying in bed wide awake with sweat dripping down his face. He noticed that I had put socks on when I got in bed and he wanted to be like me. The only problem is that Trey gets warm very easily and so it was killing him. Lori said, "Trey! Get those socks off. You're burning up!" He said, "But Mom! I want to be like Dad!" Lori finally convinced him that there were other ways to be like me. It's a lot of fun!

With that, though, I'm realizing more and more the responsibility I have as a dad. I love my kids and want more than anything for them to have an awesome relationship with Christ. My prayer is that they see Jesus in me. In the way I talk, act, react, and in my interaction with other people. More than ever, I'm praying that Phillips, Craig, and Dean song with the lyrics that say, "Lord, I want to be just like You, 'cause he wants to be like me."

I think yesterday was one of the best vacation days I ever enjoyed.

The most comprehensive, classic Christmas collection ever!

My Christmas CDs of choice right now are part of a collection prepared for me by a great friend (thanksbestbrains). Check out the listing on the incomparable collection "expecting 3 to 4 inches":

White CD:

1. White Christmas - The Drifters
2. Silver Bells - Andy Williams
3. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town - The Boston Pops
4. Holly Jolly Christmas - Burl Ives
5. Jingle Bells - The Ventures
6. Feliz Navidad - Jose Feliciano
7. Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney & Wings
8. A Mad Russian's Christmas - The Trans-Siberian Orchestra
9. Joy to the World - Neil Diamond
10. The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole
11. The First Noel - John Tesh
12. Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms
13. Winter Wonderland - Aretha Franklin
14. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Mannheim Steamroller
15. Let It Snow - Bing Crosby
16. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
17. O Come, All Ye Faithful - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
18. What Child Is This? - Harry Connick, Jr.
19. Happy Holidays - Andy Williams
20. Carol of the Bells - The Boston Pops (featuring John Williams)
21. Happy Christmas (the War Is Over) - John Lennon
22. Frosty the Snowman - Ella Fitzgerald
23. Snoopy vs. The Red Baron - The Royal Guardsmen

Blue CD:

1. Please Come Home for Christmas - The Eagles
2. O Little Town of Bethlehem - Nat King Cole
3. Winter Wonderland - Harry Connick, Jr.
4. Home for the Holidays - Perry Como
5. It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas - Bing Crosby
6. Christmas Eve Sarajevo - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
7. The Chipmunk Christmas Song - Alvin & The Chipmunks
8. Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley
9. Silver Bells - Kenny G
10. The Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams
11. I'll Be Home for Christmas - Fats Domino
12. Christmas All Over Again - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
13. Sleigh Ride - The Boston Pops
14. Mary's Boy Child - Harry Belefonte
15. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - Frank Sinatra
16. The Christmas Song - The Vince Guaraldi Trio
17. O Holy Night - Nat King Cole
18. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Gene Autry
19. Boughs of Holly - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
20. What Christmas Means to Me - Stevie Wonder
21. The Little Drummer Boy - Anne Murray
22. What Child Is This? - The Ventures
23. The First Noel - Bing Crosby

Admittedly, there were a few classics left off, but who's complaining? This is a fantastic 2 CD-set. I rarely listen to anything else these days. I haven't found a collection more well-rounded or that includes more of my Christmas favorites.

I'm still proud

Hey it was only an 8 point loss to the #1 team in the country. We'll see Duke in March (and we all know what happened last time they met). Go IU!

I'm a Hoosier...and proud of it.

If you're a sports fan, than it's a good time to be a Hoosier. Tony Stewart (a Columbus, IN native) won the Nextel Cup, the Colts are 11-0, the Pacers are playing well, and my beloved Indiana University Hoosiers are 3-0. Of course, tonight is the big test: Duke vs. IU. Of course, I won't be able to tune in. Every time there's a big game, I have some sort of meeting. The game is at 9:00 PM EST, which is 7:00 PM in Idaho. Figures.

I will say, win or lose, IU is definitely playing better than they did last year. I'm hoping for a big game tonight.

Go Hoosiers!

(btw, are there still Boilermaker fans around anymore? It seems that they have gone the way of the dinosaur)

It's Tuesday, children, so open up the Archives

All of this discussion about Christmas songs reminds me of the classic "Carol of the Bells". This song has been performed and recorded by some of the most prestigious vocalists in the world including a touching rendition by barking dogs. However, no presentation has matched that of the Frankford High School (Philadelphia, PA) Choir, which featured my brother-in-law, Dave, as a tenor.

Today's blast from the past features Dave in choir uniform vocalizing while the photographer snaps away. I just wish I had an MP3 of the choir's performance to offer. I do believe, though, that this picture says more than I ever could about young Dave's potential.

Dave, while a member of this distinguished choir, traveled abroad, touring Ireland. His highlight of the trip was kissing the famous Blarney Rock.

Dave, thanks for the memories.

What is the best Christmas song ever?

I've been pondering this question for the last week. I was raised in a household where Christmas music begin filtering through the brown speakers on the side of our massive stereo system, which slightly resembled an oversized coffeetable in appearance, about the middle of July (that is not an exaggeration). My mother is a Christmas fanatic, one of only a few who can be put in the Christmas spirit while enduring 100 degree temperatures.

Now I usually begin to spin the holiday tunes sometime in early November. My good friend, and able poster, Carlton put together what I believe to be the quintessential Christmas collection. I don't have the CDs here with me, but I will soon post the album listing.

Mom always listened to the classics: Bing Crosby, Burl Ives, Andy Williams, Perry Como, and Johnny Mathis. I still enjoy hearing Bing sing "White Christmas" and Perry sing "Silver Bells". There is a nostalgic feeling that washes over me each time I hear those enduring renditions.

But I have learned to appreciate and love the newer sounds like Mannheim Steamroller, the Transiberian Orchestra, Harry Connick, Jr. and even the album put out by Mariah Carey.

I've heard so many variations on the different carols that it's hard to pick my favorite. I think my favorite secular Christmas song would have to be "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" as sung by Andy Williams.

From a traditional sacred carol, I think I'm going to go with "Joy to the World". Let me hear what your faves are.