Christmas in review

Christmas was a weeklong event this year:-) We opened presents early on Sunday the 20th since the next day we were travelling to Colorado and didn't want to take the gifts with us. Dan's enjoying his new iPod Touch and I love my accompaning radio/docking station. Russell was given a new Bible and board games.

The next day we flew to Colorado, rented a car, and drove to our friends' house. They moved from the Bay area in August and we've missed them dearly ever since. They graciously hosted us for two nights. It was so wonderful to see the kids together again and to just relax in their home:-)

Wednesday morning greeted us with six inches of light, powdery snow. Very unlike the snow in B.C. that I am so used to. I don't think Dan even broke a sweat while shovelling. After packing up the car, we drove up to Fort Collins to visit Dan's sisters and their families. The drive was a slow go in all the snow and wind but we made it safely. We stayed at the in-laws' house until Monday morning when we returned to Denver and flew home:-)

Miss A.

The in-laws open presents on Christmas Eve, which was different for me. The cousins opened their stockings on Christmas morning and even made a stocking for Russell to open:-)

Dan's parents holding Camille. They had driven up from Tucson for a few days. It was their first time meeting Camille.

We really had a nice Christmas week. For a few days it was only 18F which is frigid for a gal like me who loves beaches and warm weather. The wind was something I've never experienced before. Whew. We landed back in the Bay with a balmy 56F day:-) Ah. There is no place like home!

Just a quick post

We're still here in Colorado! We arrived on the 21st after a good flight with two very calm children. The day after we arrived it snowed six inches of nice, light, powdery white stuff. Since then, it's been extremely COLD. When I step outdoors I forget to breath for a few seconds since it almost hurts. The wind is the worst. We had a wonderful Christmas with Dan's family and it was a fun time to be had. We'll be home on the 28th:-) Will post pictures then... hope you all had a relaxing Christmas season!

A Joyous Welcome

Three of my in-real-life bloggy friends had their new babies this week:

Anne: had baby girl Mary Adair after two years of secondary infertility (on the 18th)

Amber: had baby Boy (yet to be named)... after three years of every bad prognosis and IVF (on the 19th)

Marcia: had baby Kai after quite the long labor (also on the 19th)!

Please stop over and give these women a shout of support. Every baby has been dreamed of and loved for so long. May each of these children grow to love God and be a blessing to all they know.

Checkin' out the Christmas Lights

On Monday night we met up with some friends and went to check out the light display in one of the neighborhoods. We've gone for the last four years and this year was relatively warm in comparison. The first year, Russell was 11 months old and in the stroller. Now, Miss Camille is in the same stroller. Sweet times.

Russell and Maddie. One friend (Mel!) noted it was strange to see the decorations without any snow but almost every Christmas I remember on Vancouver Island didn't have snow so it doesn't seem too out of the ordinary. Last year, the Island was buried under snow and I'm sure we'll have snow in Colorado this year. (Anyone besides April notice our blog is snowing?? I love it!)

Aw! Ann with her newbie son, Cole. Lots of 2009 babies in our group of friends.

PS- our bill from the hospital arrived yesterday. Any guesses on the amount of a healthy, non-intervension birth?

$27,951.50.

Thank-you, God, for Dan's job and health insurance. We only pay $100.

A post about not posting

Sorry for the lack of entries lately. Any time I've had to sit in front of the computer has been to Christmas shop at my favorite store Amazon.com. Where else can you get books and diapers and gadgits and gizmos all in the same place?? Plus, I love it when the mailman hands me my new box of goodies and I haven't had to shop with two kiddos in tow (one of which refuses to enter any store at the mall unless you count Starbucks...). Besides, with tax at almost 10% locally, I'd rather get more bang for my buck online.

We're off to Denver next week for Christmas. I'll try and post something before next Monday but if I don't, Merry Christmas!

Happy 30th to Me!

Yesterday was my 30th birthday:-) My mom flew down from Victoria last Tuesday just in time to help celebrate American Thanksgiving with us and Dan's cousins in Sacramento. She left for home this morning but was able to be here for my birthday... the first birthday we've celebrated together since 2001 when I moved to the States. We had a wonderful dinner at The Fish Market and cake for dessert. I was blessed with many cards from abroad and my answering machine was flashing with kind messages. What's not to love about birthdays?

We loved having my mom in town. An extra pair of hands does miracles with two kids. No wonder families hire nannies. We stayed local during this visit as we did a lot of driving together when my mom and dad came to visit in the summer. Russell liked seeing my mom play the guitar and she even started to teach him a Christmas song/hymn. I totally underestimated his ability to memorize! Glad they had something to bond over.

Thanks for visiting, Mom! We miss you already.