My brother's cousin's son, thrice removed.

So, a little debate of sorts broke out Christmas Eve while at my Grandma's house with the fam. If you want to call it a debate. It was really the room full of people questioning what it meant to be twice removed, relatively speaking. It began because my cousin asked if my son was his second cousin. And I said, yes, he would be his second cousin as we are first cousins, any offspring of either of us results in second cousins to each other. Then a few others piped in for whatever reason about the "removed" portion of when people say "my [insert relative here] twice removed" and when it was appropriate to say that & what exactly it meant. A few people had ideas or assumptions of what it means and so, the debate went from there and all they ended up doing was deciding what it didn't mean, and never figured out what it does mean. My step-sister-in-law was sure it was supposed to be used in reference to second cousins and my mom said, no, it's just plain second cousin, not second cousin twice removed. They argued about that for a good 5 min before my SIL finally gave up. Funny thing, I've also always wondered what it means to be "removed" from someone but never thought to ask & always just assumed everyone else knew & the occasion never came up to ask such a thing. So, what does it mean? Is it literal (as in divorced or deceaced) or generational (as in the second & third cousins) or something else completely? Can anyone explain? With references and bibliography, please.

It's almost that time!

I've got a 1/2 hr left before the Christmas holiday officially begins for me. One measly half hour left of work and then it's fun time! Well, "work" is a term I use loosely. Ironically enough, the lights just burned out right above my desk. I think it's a sign I should leave NOW! But, really the only reason why I came into work today (don't tell my boss ::wink, wink::) was because Chris's biggest present was arriving today by UPS. I actually wasn't sure it'd get here in time at all since it was only shipped Monday, ground delivery from CA, but UPS left a message on my phone this morning saying it would be delivered between 8am and 7pm and they wanted me to be available during that time to sign for it. Well, I had requested delivery to my work place since it's a safer bet than delivering to our apt where we're never home during delivery hours. So, I was really excited to get that message this morning. But when the managing partner sent an email at noon saying the office was closing at 3 I suddenly felt my window of opportunity closing tighter & tighter. 2 o'clock rolled around and still no package... So I ventured up to the mail room, 9 floors up, to inquire whether they'd seen it yet or if they knew the general time the UPS guy usually comes. Nothing yet. They say to me on my way out the door that they'll watch for it. I leave, feeling discouraged. But, lo & behold, I find what waiting for me on my desk when I got back downstairs?? The package! The pretty little scuffed up box with the words "AIPTEK INC." and "factory sealed" taped across it. What a beautiful sight.

Now, this means that the delivery man is either really really fast or the elevator is really really slow! I think maybe both, but I'm just happy to get it before Christmas.

Btw, it's a camcorder & is really mostly from my mom but I chipped in a little extra to get it & it's really for both Chris and me, but he'll be the one to use it mainly and I'll reap all the benefits of home movies on DVD. :o) And since I picked it out I've kept it a secret from Chris. It also doubles as an MP3 player, voice recorder and digicam.

Now I just have to give it to him before he reads this. ;o)

I hope you all have a happy & blessed Christmas with your family and friends!

Home on the Range

Well, the birthday boy's 1st party was a success (aside from only 3 kids showing up out of the expected 13! Not sure what happened to everyone). But he had lots of fun with his cousins & other family. He made out like a bandit with all the cool new toys. He went nuts with the cake after a little encouragement. Then it was into the bath he went.

Here are some pictures of the day.




















Afton & Aunt Margaret, tickling him with one of his new puppet toys.


























The favor bags. Bet yer boots, these were a hit.













Dad & official toddler Afton































Cousin Mikayla looks out the window in her birthday "hat" bandana


















"Auntie" Natasha holds the birthday boy













This is what balloons are really for

















S'mores cupcakes. Co-workers will be enjoying these come Monday. Didn't intend on taking the majority of them back home with me!













Counsins Mikayla & Calvin have some cakes.
















The cake while it still looked pretty. Not indended to look Christmas-y, but the stocking kinda goes anyway I guess.



















Trying to figure it out.



















Sugar high! Icing is the best stuff EVER!
































Upside down cake



















Shoveling it in. He had icing chunks dangling in his hair & up to his elbows at this point.