The (little) Windy City

I had a great holiday this season. I was able to get 5 days off work (that's unheard of in sales this close to the end of the year) and I flew back to Kansas City to participate in all our family Christmas traditions. On Christmas Eve we met the Brown side of the family at Crown Center for ice skating and shopping. The little cousins are really getting the hang of ice skating and by next year I think they will be out there on their own. After skating we headed to my cousin Aaron and Karla's house for dinner and presents. We open presents youngest to oldest and every year it's always fun to watch the little kids get so excited. It's also a fun time to tease the adult guys about being younger than the girls.

Skating at Crown Center

What a hat!

On Christmas Day Grandad came over to the house for lunch and "Santa" presents. Mack and I got a lot of great things this year but the most time consuming gift was Mack's Rock Band World Tour. This game was insane. It came with drums, a guitar, and a microphone so you can form your own band. We spent the rest of the weekend playing concerts in our living room and even mom got on the drums and rocked the house.

Our house at night

On Friday my parents had some friends over for margaritas and the Rock Band World Tour game. We also played American Idol on the Wii system and it was a blast. Simon Cowell said I was one of the best singers of the night. I also got to see my friends Beth & Graham (with baby Brady) and my friend Cara (with Chipper and Charlie). It was nice to have a lot of days off so that I wasn't rushed to see everyone.

Mack and Dan Harris performing a concert for us

After spending Christmas in 60 degree temperatures it was a rough transition back to cold Colorado. Since being back I have decided to nickname Boulder "The (little) Windy City". Kansas City is nicknamed "The City of Fountains" while Denver is nicknamed "The Mile High City". Chicago is called "The Windy City" but after last night Boulder definitely deserves to share that honor. We had 80 mph winds non-stop (seriously...non-stop all night long) and believe it or not my bed shook the entire night. Even our toilet bowl water was shaking back and forth. My co-worker actually saw a truck get lifted up on two wheels on his drive in this morning. I am amazed (and grateful) that my car didn't tip over. I definitely felt it fighting to stay on all four tires during my morning drive. Dorthy and the Oz gang would have been proud of our tornado like winds.

My co-workers house this morning. That is their front porch covered in tumbleweed.