Winter Puddles

Don't you just love the rain?
Well, It is nice when you are dressed for it and you're not trying to get somewhere (especially when pressed for time). We've definitely needed the rain and so it has been a blessing and has come as a refreshing lift to our sometimes ordinary winters.
Viewing rainy season this year through the eyes of a toddler has made it a whole lot more fun! One word describes why...puddles! I wish I could have captured the smile on Lauren's face every time she excitedly plopped her foot in the various puddles around our place. SO cute! And SO much fun! We'll have to get some rain boots next year. Then we'll venture to other fun puddle places. I'm grateful for all the times my parents let us play in the rain out in front of our house and get dirty and drenched. Good Times.

Happy New Year! Resolutions!?!

Oh, sorry Vicky, I haven't forgot, I saw that I've been tagged. I've been meaning to get to it, I just can't think of anything that might be interesting about me to share. (This may be something that I just perhaps procrastinate until...say next year?) ;) Those are tough for me to do!

On the other hand trying not procrastinate and possibly in effort to make myself a little more interesting :),I've set some new personal goals (finally!) that I definitely don't want to put off any longer! I liked this reminder advice given in a talk given at church a couple of weeks ago. It was something like"...as you are setting goals this next year, try to make them Christ centered goals."
So, I figured instead of focusing just on losing 15 lbs by May"(which I could really use), I've decided that I'd like to prepare and get in shape to be able to run (not walk) in the Revlon Run/Walk 3K this May. If that doesn't work, then...J/k! After that one then I need to find two other 3K's to participate in July or August and November. That's all I'll reveal of my goals so you can stick it to me if it doesn't happen! Get ready, set, go!

We Were Home for Christmas!

We had fun this Holiday Season! We went with the St. Clairs to Naples to see the lights, Lauren met Santa for the second time;{, and decorated the tree together for the first time(she loved re-decorating the tree every day after that until we took it down). We also had a wonderful time seeing family the weekend before Christmas, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. We spent the night with my family and then spent the next half day with Jim's. Here are many photos! (I need to figure out that slide show still. Sorry, I think the pictures get gradually smaller.)

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

We really love Christmastime around here, (who doesn't) it is our MOST favorite holiday! We love the music, the smell of Christmas trees, the decorating, yummy foods, and most of all, the family traditions. This is the first Christmas where we are able to teach Lauren about (and have her understand to a degree) the story of Jesus' birth(in short): the prophecy, the star, the stable, the shepherds, the wise men,the angel, Joseph, Mary, and the sweet baby Jesus. We are so happy to be able to share with her these things! It is such a sweet experience to be parents and share with your child the gospel of Jesus Christ. The other day I put on the DVD "Joy to the World" and I was surprised she sat and watched the whole thing! So this past week she's been asking to watch (while peering into our DVD drawer) the "baby Jesus DVD". Really sweet.

So, with the Christmas spirit in the air, we've already enjoyed some Christmas cheer with some friends and family and are grateful for the other memories that will be created throughout the rest of this season of "Peace on Earth Good Will Toward Men"!

Pictures below: (This would probably look better as a slide show)

Regan's party,First time making cut out cookies with Lauren (the Folger's Christmas cookie recipe too-Yum!)Then later that night we had so much fun decorating them together!