Merry Christmas, Happy New Year

I don't know about any of you, but this past month I've had just enough extra time to breathe! I'm embarrassed about my lack of postings, but then again, life must not revolve around my computer! We've done so many fun things this month: Riding the Santa Train, Christmas Eve Service with ALL THREE involved singing (go figure!)..., Christmas morning (thanks to Kjer and Brett, a WII!!!!). We've had so much High School Musical I could.......actually, I roam around all day singing the songs. I will try to upload picts from today's family fun day: Snow tubing in the mountains! Kenton is such a nut about snow, he's even willing to wear duct tape gloves. :) And tomorrow, we hop on Amtrak for an early morning ride to Portland. Picts to come. I promise to be better!

Cosmetique

Those of you who know me really well know the past year living here in Maple Valley, WA has been a "learning experience." There are many times I feel like we live in the boonies, pretty far from civilization. The nearest Target is 20-25 min. away (okay, I'm a brat), the nearest Super Walmart is 30 min. away, and there is no Aldi or Hobby Lobby in the entire state. I find myself at home much more often than not (yeah, it's a good thing..) I am pleased to report, however, I've found a new place to get my haircut (a not-so-easy task when a girl moves to a new area): this fabulous salon called "Cosmetique" located in a manufactured home within a mile of our house. I pass this sign almost every day, and I'm SO TEMPTED to make an EVENING APPOINTMENT. At least it always gives me a little out loud chuckle. Today, I finally had my camera with me in the car. I thought you'd enjoy it. Now, granted, not all the salons here look like this. In fact, there are some pretty nice ones around. I'm just partial to this one. :)

Don't Blink

I took this pict just last week. The boys worked extra hard to finish their homework early, clean their room, and got to stay up an extra 1/2 hour to watch Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Remember those days when you were a kid? The three snuggled up on the couch and had such a fun time. I tried not to blink. I know I will blink and next they'll be teenagers and then I'll blink and they'll be all grown up. I just love these times.

Happy Gotcha Day, Samuel!

Wow. How can it already be 7 years ago we recieved the gift of you, Samuel! I remember getting the call that you were ready to be picked up. What joy! Another boy! I immediately thought how cool it would be to have two boys, brothers and friends forever. We gathered up our stuff in less than 2 weeks and flew with Isaac to Bogota to recieve you. The next morning Carlos drove us to FANA, the same place we recieved Isaac 2 years earlier. They brought you out, an adorable chunkola, full of soft black hair (we had to take you for your first haircut at 7 weeks old!) busting out of the bottom of your outfit. You were such a happy pirate from the start! Grandpa Gord and Aunt Kjerstin came a week later to meet you and spend Christmas with us in Colombia. It was a dangerous time in the country, so we mostly stayed in the hotel and enjoyed getting to know you. We had no idea if we would have to stay 8 weeks or 2 weeks. Thankfully, our paperwork was done in record time and we got to travel home in only 3 weeks.

We love you so much and are thankful for the gift of you! You have grown into such a great young boy with a tender heart for the things of God. You are the first to defend your sister whatever she may be doing. God surely planned you for our family! We always needed a happy pirate.