2009 Recap

Bringing in the new year has led me to reflect on all of the wonderful things that have happened in the past 12 months. It's been a whirlwind adventure with many notable changes.
First off, Kevin became a college graduate this year. I was SO proud since when we met he was adamant that college was not for him. So to celebrate his achievement and to plan on graduate school with him was a surreal experience




The next change came an upgrade to a new and BIGGER apartment. This change allowed us to increase our family size by adding our little husky, "Tekoa" to the family. So we packed up our car and drove to Denver Colorado to go and get our gray little bundle of joy. It's been a joy watching him grow.








Tekoa is a hebrew name meaning a trumpet that unites in an instant. We've found this little dog has led us to meet many new people and opened up new opportunities for us all over the place. The one thing I've learned from him is that a person is a person no matter what they look like on the outside. It doesn't matter to him what a person looks like he runs and greets everyone with the same wagging tail joy. I need to be more like him.

We made a trip back to Oregon to see family an and explore the wonder of the Oregon coast.












And we can't forget the real reason we took the trip. To celebrate Kevin's ten year graduation reunion.


Geoff came home from his two year mission in Argentina! Tekoa instantly claimed him as his new buddy and searched the house squeaking for a few days after he left. We all love having him back in the states.



I ran my first race since high school. Of course Tekoa kept me company and kept me going the whole 5k.





I became a big sister officially to three adorable little kids this year when my parents adopted Amber, Kaylee and Ira. It's been an eventful year, with so much more than I can mention in one post occurring. I just hope that next year brings me just as much joy as 2009 and more. Here's to new beginnings!

Twas the night before Christmas

(the beeper says pizza is ready)

We spent this Christmas just the two of us, well three including the pup and how can we leave him out, he's family. Ok, we spent Christmas just the three of us. It was a fun and relaxing time, it's been fun blending our families traditions to create our own hybrid Christmas tradition that we can follow and enjoy for the rest of our years together. On the night before Christmas Kevin's family always made a homemade pizza. Due to our small family size and my overall cooking laziness this sounded like a fantastic option over the more traditional ham feast that I always had growing up.

Christmas morning came and we woke up bright and early to see what Santa had brought. We agreed that next year we will read the story of Christ's birth like I did when I was a kid. It's a good way to remember what the season is truly all about. We opened our presents.

Tekoa wondered, "Does Santa visit dogs too?"

It looks like he sure does. We recieved many wonderful presents from family and from each other.

After all the gift giving it was time to feed our growling stomachs. Kevin made tea roll which he traditionally ate Chrismas morning. I have to say I had never heard of tearoll before but I'm sure glad that I have now. It's delicious!

After tearoll came playing with toys and naps.

then off to the great and freezing outdoors to walk the dog. We bundle up. Let Tekoa run off his oodles of husky energy.

At the close of the year I'm left to contemplate the past year. I can honestly say I'm grateful for the birth of my Savior, for the opportunity to celebrate and for all my blessings especially my family. All that's left to say is Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

Many, Little, Few

Blogging; never beofore have so many had so little to say to so few. I chuckled the first time I heard this and yet here I am blogging away. To be honest the same could be said about journaling, but look at the impact that some of those journals have on the lives of their readers.
So I join the ranks of the many and write little to the few who love me. And I wouldn't have it any other way.