Two days to Christmas

Maggie had so much fun with Grandma and Uncle Jonathan... despite our plea to extend their stay they were under the heavy spell of Aunt Michelle.  It is true her house is pet friendly and the food is better... and Grandma and Jonathan will get there own room BUT... well, I guess I see why they left... rrrr!!

8 Days to Christmas

An amazing thing about Sara is her willingness to give, even at the cost of her own ambitions.  Our wedding announcement is the perfect example of that.  I had this crazy idea and instead of shooting it down, she let me wield the sword.  I know she would have rather had something simple and legible but she wanted me to have something I wanted, even at the cost of her own ideas. When I think of great gifts, this type of self sacrifice is the key ingredient.  That is to say, not all great gifts come wrapped up in a box.

9 Days to Christmas

Maggie and me came up with some great homemade gifts this year.  We ran around like crazy today trying to finish up Maggie's gift to Taya.  Maggie was so pleased with the results she asked if we could make one for her too.  Sara is also in for a real treat this year but we can't really talk about that.

10 days to Christmas

I hope my little count down isn't making anyone nervous but I guess if you have time to read the blog then your done with the Christmas cards and presents...right?  The best part about living in Las Vegas is the steady stream of visitors we get.  We only wish we had more room to host people.  Although I think we have hosted over ten people in single night.  Hey, pioneer families lived in a single room so we feel like we are richest people on the face of the planet.

Eleven Days to Christmas

All our homemade gifts are starting to arrive from amazon.  We got two packages today and one yesterday. We are still waiting for our Christmas cards to arrive from the printers.  Hopefully, they arrive before Christmas.  We still don't have a single present for the kids but we have time... right?  Well, I found this picture of Sara and Henry in the archives... and I thought why not just squeeze it into the post.  Christmas season is way too busy... I guess this picture serves to remind me what it is all about.

twelve days to Christmas

Since Sara and I return from our honeymoon, we had to make uncomfortable changes and life plans have been altered... and the struggles have only increased.  There are days when life seems hard and nothing seems to be going according to plans.  But I think we are equally committed to the struggle... and that creates the greatest bond of trust... that I wouldn't trade for anything.

Back in October

Stairs are synonymous with dirt, tape, boxes and sticks.  I can't think of a kid that doesn't like them.  Maggie had fun with her cousins getting dirty with chalk art on the sidewalk.  They drew some real master pieces.

Feeling generous

I decided I am a picture hoarder.  I don't know if anyone realizes just how many photographs I have been meaning to get around too.  I have even more that I intend to nothing with.  I guess I finally decided I should start publishing in larger blocks.  So here is the rest of Thanksgiving in Vancouver.

Fall in Vancouver is beautiful

Running the stairs

Okay, I didn't run as many laps as the girls because I was setting my camera but I was sore for days afterwards.

Henry update

 Henry is eating solids.  For starters, rice cereal, spaghetti squash, carrots, banana and cheerios.