Where to begin?!

I won't even get started on any New Year's resolutions, because I am still working on 2008!! This blog will mostly be pictures of our Christmas happenings.

"Candy Cane Lane"

Every year our street decorates the trees along the road alternating in red and white lights...thankfully our neighbor told us about this in advance. That would be a great way to make friends with the neighbors if we were the only ones without red and white trees!

Auntie Rachel came out to spend Christmas with us. When Auntie Rachel is around there is always something baking in the kitchen!! Rachel and Annika also did a gingerbread house together.

Christmas Eve we went to church and the kids opened their stockings and some new p.j.s. We lit a fire in the fireplace and enjoyed a peaceful evening.

Christmas Day we opened presents from the VP side of the family! Thank you for all the fun gifts. (Thank you notes will be coming shortly, I hope!)

On the Saturday after Christmas we sent Rachel off back to Seattle and kept on heading north (in an ice storm!) to NW Iowa to spend some time with Dan's family.

Getting ready for some tubing...

Who are those hot ladies?

New p.j.'s from Grandma!

Stella and Annika asleep (finally!!)

Decorating Cookies...gotta impress the judge...


Grandma giving Taryn a trim


We came back on the 30th and on the 31st some of our best friends from VA made a side trip on their Texas/Oklahoma road trip to come and visit us! We couldn't have thought of a better way to ring in the New Year. Thank you D's for making the trip!! Hope you had as much fun as we did!

Nothing says Happy New Year like a rousing competition of Chubby Bunny!!

Now everyone hold still and smile!! (Yeah right!)


Best buds

Whew...that about sums it up!! We really hope you had a great 2008 and are looking forward to 2009!!! (New Year's Resolution #1...blog more often so these posts don't have to be so long!!)