Back to Sanity: The almost human sled

Thanks to a sound voice of reason (thanks, Nate and co), our children did NOT get their mattress sledding debut. But Rachel sure tried to defy us by walking, sliding, falling down a part of this hill. One scraped face later we whisked them back down south to greener pastures...but man, I miss them in those snow hats--super cute if I do say so myself.

Back to New Years: Time Capsule(s)

New Year's weekend found us heading up north to face the snow and the possibility of mattress sledding (more to come):

These lovely ladies allowed us to witness opening their 10 year time capsule. Their spouses were required to be there, but Ryan and I were intruders to these Bountiful born girls' unveiling. However, if you know any of these lovely ladies you know how much we enjoyed getting a peek into their 1999 selves--

However-not to be undone- the rest of us bore witness of the 10 days spanning Dec. 20-30, '09...trust me these were vital days to record. And our capsule was actually buried-a key to the authenticity of capsules as we ladies learned. Here's to the next 15 years, friends. Or 20? Or 30? Or what did we decide? Oh well, as long as it's buried.

Back to Christmas: The Morning Of

Okay, so after 4 attempts to download pictures, I am giving up.

Imagine 2 kids sitting in their new chairs eating bananas out of their stockings, and being more excited about everyone else's presents than their own.

Also imagine 2 parents awake at the crack of dawn, staring at the ceiling as they anxiously await the first peeps of life coming from the kids' room.

Imagine those same two parents falling asleep while the kids chatted happily in their beds for quite some time after we were in dreamland.

Back to Christmas: The Eve Of

Thanks for the great sleepover, Gma and Gpa!

A Need

Right now I feel the need to blog. My kids are napping which means I should be cleaning, washing, showering, wrapping, baking, mailing, working, etc. etc.

But instead I am reflecting. On this post, and this post. And on the Christmas 2 years ago in which we discovered that we would finally be bringing life into the world. We didn't even know then it would be two lives. And how even though we have the same traditions and still work ourselves to death over letters, decor, presents, 12 days, light seeing, parties, baking, and family just like everyone else-that now it seems to have just a bit more of a purpose. A bit more permanence. We are not only enjoying a Christmas season...we are embedding Christ into our family. At least that is the goal. And even when we fall short (read-get angry, make ourselves exhausted and sick, yell at our sick children), the purpose is still there. He is still there. He is the center of it all. And He is the reason that even though I am overwhelmed at keeping up with it all-I can have hope-because it's not all up to me.

Is it Just Me?

Hmmm...lack of blog posts lately...why? I'm not sure. I blame our 4GB memory card which makes it really easy to leave the pictures of life events on the camera instead of computer. So then when I sit down to blog about said events I remember that great picture of said event is still in the camera far away in the other room. And where is the cord again? What's the point?

I also blame Ryan who likes to take videos more than pictures which is all fine and dandy until I have to sort through which ones are appropriate and cute and then take forever to get them onto blogger....

so here is some of what has been going on and some of those pictures that have been captured:

• Our infamous night in the caves with several of Ryan's top 20 friends
• A great wedding with similar friends
• Our great tree extravaganza...first year we did not add lights--but lots of work just the same...thanks to Jill and Jeff for coming down to make it perfect.
  
• Thanksgiving in St. Louis...wherein cousin and crossword wars were abundant among other things

The Bears Who Say Oink

We had the swine flu on Halloween...but we had a great time anyway!

"Just like Daddy"

There's nothing better than being fogged.