A few pictures from our trip...

BABY NEWS

So we had another ultrasound on Christmas eve and are pleased to inform you all that the Rogers/Fink clan will be adding another GIRL to the family!!! FINALLY! I am so incredibly thrilled, Caleb is coming around, and Asher is budgeting for more firearms. Needless to say it was an amazing Christmas gift. Oh, and to say that my dad is just a little bit excited is an understatement!
Also, we want to give everyone a heads up that my cousin Dani, is planning the baby shower/party for February 22nd. It will be coed and minus all the corny baby games. Hope some of you will be able to make it.

Merry Christmas from Red River, New Mexico

Yes, we have survived ski lessons and our first day of skiing on our own! Tomorrow we try snowboarding...we are all going to give it a try, but tonight we are "just this side of death" with fatigue and we are all wondering if our bodies can take it (yes, the oldest body has the most questions!).

We had fun hosting everyone in Waco for Austin's graduation and for the Rogers' family Christmas. We heard that everyone made it home safe and sound (well, there's never any guarantee on the latter).

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas! We hope to see you in Waco again soon, remember Travis graduates in May 2009, and we would love for you to join us for that celebration too!

God bless us, everyone!
DWR

Scrooge's living in Waco

I just heard from one of Santa's Elves that two Scrooges are alive and living in Waco!! There is a possibility that the Rogers' Christmas might occur without a tree. Why would that be? What could be more important than putting up a tree at Christmas?? Where is the Spirit of Christmas? Is an intervention needed? Intervention may include an intravenous push of the milk of human kindness. Said Scrooges might want to check with their nurse sister about what that may intale. Fair warning: Their Aunt Kay has taken down much bigger and stronger Uncles and will not hesitate to throw cold liquid and or body tatoo IF THERE IS NO TREE WHEN SHE GETS TO WACO DECEMBER 20!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IRS Info (Publication 525)

Guys,
I'm not a tax attorney, but this is what I have tracked down about the annuity...
From IRS Publication 525

Life Insurance Proceeds

Life insurance proceeds paid to you because of the death of the insured person are not taxable unless the policy was turned over to you for a price. This is true even if the proceeds were paid under an accident or health insurance policy or an endowment contract.

Later in the same publication, it indicates that any interest received added to the amount after the death IS TAXABLE. So it appears that the sooner we get this settled, the better. Installment plans are even more complicated, so I've decided to go with the lump sum. This also probably means that if you don't owe any taxes and you don't want to have to wait on a refund, you can probably not worry about the company withholding any funds. [Just remember I'm not a tax attorney and I don't play one on TV!]

Just, FYI, while we don't have to pay any additional income tax as a result of inheriting the house (though this may only apply to Russell, since I'm not sure how the will reads), when we sell the property, the income generated by the sale of the hosue IS TAXABLE. So keep that in mind as you plan next year's tax (assuming the house sells during the next tax year).

Gift Ideas

We are still in need of gift ideas for Crystal and Austin. Anyone with any input please email me at chrissifink@hotmail.com. Thank you!!!

It's Snowing.....In Houston!

That's right, the cold white stuff is falling in Houston. When I went to a happy hour celebration with some administrator friends it was raining, when I came out it was snowing. The ground at home is white and the roofline, lawn and bushes are all covered. Makes all the Christmas lights look amazing. I got to seen Blaine and Dalton long enough to snap a few pictures. What an amazing night.

My Texas ....

My Texas ....



1. Beaumont to El Paso : 742 miles

2. Beaumont to Chicago : 770 miles

3. El Paso is closer to California than to Dallas

4. World's first rodeo was in Pecos, July 4, 1883.

5. The Flagship Hotel in Galveston is the only hotel in North America built
over water.

       (and although damaged, it survived Hurricane Ike this past Sept.)

6. The Heisman Trophy ws named after John William Heisman who was the first
full-time coach at 

     Rice University in Houston .

7. Brazoria County has more species of birds than any other area in North
America .

8. Arkansas Wildlife Refuge is the winter home of North America's only
remaining flock of whooping cranes.

9. Jalapeno jelly originated in Lake Jackson in 1978.

10. The worst natural disaster in U.S . history was in 1900, caused by a
hurricane, in which over 8,000

        lives were lost on Galveston Island.

11. The first word spoken from the moon, July 20, 1969, was " Houston ."

12. King Ranch in South Texas is larger than Rhode Island .

13. Tropical Storm Claudette brought a U.S. rainfall record of 43" in 24
hours in and around Alvin 

         in July of 1979.

14. Texas is the only state to enter the U.S. by TREATY, (known as the
Constitution of 1845 by the Republic of Texas to enter the Union ) instead
of by annexation. This allows the Texas Flag to fly at the same height as
the U.S. Flag, and may divide into 5 states.

15. A Live Oak tree near Fulton is estimated to be 1500 years old.

16. Caddo Lake is the only natural lake in the state.

17. Dr Pepper was invented in Waco in 1885. There is no period in Dr Pepper.

18. Texas has had six capital cities: Washington -on- the Brazos, Harrisburg
, Galveston , Velasco, West Columbia and Austin

19. The Capitol Dome in Austin is the only dome in the U.S. which is taller
than the Capitol Building in Washington DC (by 7 feet).

20. The name " Texas " comes from the Hasini Indian word "tejas" meaning
friends. 

        Tejas is not Spanish for Texas

21. The State Mascot is the Armadillo (an interesting bit of trivia about
the armadillo is they always have four babies. They have one egg, which
splits into four, and they either have four males or four females.).

22. The first domed stadium in the U.S. was the Astrodome in Houston .

Cowboy's Ten Commandments posted on the wall at Cross Trails Church in
Fairlie , Texas :

(1) Just one God..

(2) Honor yer Ma & Pa.

(3) No telling tales or gossipin'.

(4) Git yourself to Sunday meeting.

(5) Put nothin' before God.

(6) No foolin' around with another fellow's gal.

(7) No killin'.

(8) Watch yer mouth.

(9) Don't take what ain't yers.

(10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff

Now that's kinda plain an' simple don'tcha think?


Need to be cheered up?

Happy, Texas 79042
Pep , Texas 79353
Smiley , Texas 78159
Paradise , Texas 76073
Rainbow , Texas 76077
Sweet Home , Texas 77987
Comfort , Texas 78013
Friendship, Texas 76530

Love the Sun?

Sun City , Texas 78628
Sunrise , Texas 76661
Sunset, Texas 76270
Sundown, Texas 79372
Sunray , Texas 79086
Sunny Side , Texas 77423

Want something to eat?

Bacon , Texas 76301
Noodle , Texas 79536
Oatmeal , Texas 78605
Turkey , Texas 79261
Trout , Texas 75789
Sugar Land , Texas 77479
Salty, Texas 76567
Rice , Texas 75155
And top it off with:
Sweetwater , Texas 79556

Why travel to other cities? Texas has them all!

Detroit , Texas 75436
Colorado City , Texas 79512
Denver City , Texas 79323
Klondike , Texas 75448
Nevada , Texas 75173
Memphis , Texas 79245
Miami , Texas 79059
Boston , Texas 75570
Santa Fe , Texas 77517
Tennessee Colony , Texas 75861
Reno , Texas 75462

Feel like traveling outside the country? Don't bother buying a plane ticket!

Athens , Texas 75751
Canadian, Texas 79014
China , Texas 77613
Egypt , Texas 77436
Ireland , Texas 76538
Turkey , Texas 79261
London , Texas 76854
New London , Texas 75682
Paris , Texas 75460

No need to travel to Washington D.C.

Whitehouse , Texas 75791

We even have a city named after our planet!

Earth , Texas 79031

And a city named after our State!

Texas City , Texas 77590

Exhausted?

Energy , Texas 76452

Cold?

Blanket , Texas 76432

Winters, Texas

Like to read about History?

Santa Anna , Texas

Goliad , Texas

Alamo , Texas

Gun Barrel City, Texas

Robert Lee, Texas

Need Office Supplies?

Staples, Texas 78670

Men are from Mars, women are from Venus , Texas 76084

You guessed it..it's on the state line..

Texline , Texas 79087

For the kids...

Kermit , Texas 79745
Elmo , Texas 75118
Nemo , Texas 76070
Tarzan , Texas 79783
Winnie , Texas 77665
Sylvester , Texas 79560

Other city names in Texas , to make you smile.....

Frognot , Texas 75424
Bigfoot , Texas 78005
Hogeye , Texas 75423
Cactus , Texas 79013
Notrees , Texas 79759
Best, Texas 76932
Veribest , Texas 76886
Kickapoo , Texas 75763
Dime Box , Texas 77853
Old Dime Box , Texas 77853
Telephone , Texas 75488
Telegraph , Texas 76883
Whiteface , Texas 79379
Twitty, Texas 79079

And last but not least, the Anti-Al Gore City

Kilgore , Texas 75662

And our favorites...

Cut n Shoot, Texas
Gun Barrell City , Texas
Hoop And Holler, Texas
Ding Dong, Texas and, of course,
Muleshoe , Texas


Here is what Jeff Foxworthy has to say about folks from Texas ...

If someone in a Lowe's store offers you assistance and they don't work
there, you may live in Texas ;

If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you may live in Texas ;

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a
wrong number, 

you may live in Texas ;

If "Vacation" means going anywhere south of Dallas for the weekend, you may
live in Texas;

If you measure distance in hours, you may live in Texas;

If you install security lights on your house and garage, but leave both
unlocked, you may live in Texas ;

If you carry jumper cables in your car and your wife knows how to use them,
you may live in Texas ;

If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph -- you're going 80 and
everybody's passing you, 

you may live in Texas ;

If you find 60 degrees "a little chilly," you may live in Texas;

If you actually understand these jokes, and share them with all your Texas
friends, 

you definitely live in Texas .


Now you know why we love Texas!

In Seattle, next stop South Korea

Hey folks, just a little update- I flew out of SA today and am spending the night in Seattle. Kyle before I left said to me, "What am I going to do without you?" When I called him to let him know that I landed safely however, he was out with our old neighbor at First Friday downtown at a beer garden having a grand ole time. I think he is going to be just fine without his wifey, what do you think? I leave tomorrow at 12:40 Seattle time and land Sunday (korean time) at 5:30 pm. But it is only a 12 hour flight. We are going to have to figure out this time difference???

Christmas

Unfortunately Asher, Caleb, and I will not be able to make it to Waco on the weekend of the 20th. We have had plans for that weekend for some time now and since Asher works every weekend, the ones he takes off are few and far between. We are celebrating our birthdays that weekend and have some other plans with friends during the day on Saturday. I'm heartbroken that we are going to miss Christmas with you guys. I can't remember the last time that happened. We will send gifts with my dad and will be there in spirit at least.

About Christmas

When we made the list for Christmas, Kyle and Vannesa were left off because they where going to be in Korea. Not wanting to leave them out we talked about sending them a care package. Now that Vannesa will be in Korea and Kyle will be joining her soon, I submit that we carry through on our idea. Instead of shipping it, we let Kyle take it with him! I'm open for ideas of what we should try to include knowing that he will have to carry it on a plane. Any suggestions? What do you guys think? This would be something that we all tried to contribute to.



With that in mind, and now that Mom is gone, I would suggest adjusting the list to where Austin gives to Tim, and Kyle gives to the new baby. Thoughts? Has an adjustment already been made that I don't know about?



OK, well, I'm looking forward to Christmas as well, I sure hope you all like eating off your lap, sorry about the tables, I think they got raptured!

Christmas Plans

Have Christmas plans been discussed? If so, somebody fill me in please!

See Comments on Mom's Epitaph

I'm not sure if folks will scroll down to look, but I posted a reply to Mark's suggestion about mom's epitaph. You will have to go to the original post to see it.

Family Tradition

***I'm posting this at the request of my husband who prefers to read and not learn how to "do" another internet thing. =) Y'all take a deep breath...punctuation is not in Asher's vocabulary! (Love you honey!) ~~Chrissi~~***

ok so the weekend after turkey day I actually have a weekend off and I decide that I am going to go to my dads up in niederwald to do the family thing he fixes ham salad (a family staple on any holiday since time began) and we go deer hunting (another staple since about 1994) I got off of work at 0700 on fri am and went home packed up dramk 3/4 pot of coffee (had a busy night) i drove the family up to my dads house we arrived in time to see my niece and my how she has grown and my stepsisters husband (he is a jackass) after helping to fix the window that JACKASS punched the night before (dont ask me about the jerry springer shit) dad me caleb and brady went down to walmart to get hunting liscence and ammo and dog food at the walmart (black friday in a small town is more grey in color) so we are all now legal to hunt and have read the laws that apply in the county that we are hunting so we go to sight in the rifle that I will be using on this trip it is my stepmoms rifle from when she was a kid more collectors edition than hunters and has not been sighted in in probably at least ten years (it is a great rifle and I wish I had one like it) so we are on the last two shots (just to make sure we are in the money) and the damn cold front blows through now remember prior to the front it was damn near 80 and we are walkin 100 yards one way after 3 shots and have just started to break a sweat and the temp drops about 20 degrees (it was chilly) ok so now that the rifle is shootin true we go to my step brothers house and set up in a blind at a really good spot (it was to be the best spot of the weekend) and 1 hour into it we see one doe and fawn upon setting the shot on the fawn a truck (driven by my dad) drove in to the pasture and scared both over the property line oh well time to sit and wait an hour has passed and we are gettin ready to leave dad is drivin up the fencline towards us and a doe followed by a buck come out of the tree line only to turn directly away from me right when I have a shot Damn it so we go up to the house light a fire drink some bourbon and go home (I had to drive dad was D R U N K) next am we are all up and ready to go by 0530 we all go out and not one of us sees a damn thing but we do spread some corn we go to dads have a ham salad lunch and watch Hancock on dvd (great movie) the women come back from shopping and take a picture of three generations of Finks sleepin on the couch we all get up have more ham salad (it really is good) and I push the limits of my already patient pregnant wife and go hunting again (we were supposed to be back at home at 5ish) I had decided to try my luck one more time (before telling my wife) we go hunting again sat eve we are pulling up to the blind and see a great doe standing there eatin the corn we spread sat am right as I chamber a round she runs off ok ok no worries I still have untill dark so we get into the blind and sit and sit and sit and sit and sit and sit and watch the tree line and pasture while we are sitting and do not see any thing untill about 10 min till absolute no shooting light and we see the doe and fawn from fri eve I scoped the doe and she was a clean shot i scoped the fawn and she was eatin the corn so no worries about fawn survival I get the scope on the doe (after many go and stops (she looked right at me every time I moved)) get the breathing and pulse under control align the cross hairs on the kill zone tell Caleb to plug his ears and squeeze off a round I see text book hunting show results only to see her run off into the THICK tree line after answering the cell phone (tech is great) all of us look for the blod trail only to be disappointed and not find it after about 45 to and hour of searching and the final realization that I would not find the blood trail that night I resigned my search (much to my disapointment) and to my house I drove my family I am upset because I made a shot that killed an animal and could not claim said animals meat said animal still had a young one in tow (the fawn was eating solids and will probably never eat corn from today on) I hope this explains my mood if you want more info go ahead and call me there are more details that I cannot print here

this weekend was not a total bust however this weekend was the first time in probably 50 years that three geneerations of Finks have been on a hunt this holds special meaning to me as I did not know my grandpa Virgil and even though I did not know him I felt as though he was watching (and approving) I grew closer to my dad than we have been in years (even though we did not speak much) and most of all I grew closer to my son !!!!!!!!
and that is all I have to say about that!

MY THANKS ALSO

After reading Doug's post I got to thinking about the "Rogers" experience our Thanksgiving was. I'm stunned how everyone just rolled with the flow. How many families would have declared their Thanksgiving a disaster after the things we went through? Even though the food was delicious, the fellowship remarkable, and everyone was there, all it would have taken was one person going off the deep end to send things into a tailspin. What remarkable people you all are! I have friends who see family as an unpleasant obligation. I can't think of a better legacy for Mom and Dad than to have a family that chooses to be together with love and laughter.