Happy New Year!

The last three weeks have been a whirlwind of holiday activity! After my last post, we have had some activity or committment nearly every day. But it has been a wonderful Christmas season. My brother, Jeff, and his family came for Christmas this year. The kids love playing together, so they played until they dropped! Ryan and Garrett make the perfect pair of crazy, hilarious boys, and Michaela and Paige played all the girl stuff together. At one point they were watching a Barbie movie and they told my Grandpa to leave because it was "just for girls!" How funny that they pair off at such a young age.

On the Sunday before Christmas, we loaded up the entire family and headed out to have pictures taken. We were pretty sure it would be a disaster, what with having 4 children ages 5 and under. But, surprisingly, they all did very well. There were a few poses with someone's finger in their nose (the kids, not the adults!), and some where no one was looking where they were supposed to. But, overall, we were pleased with the results.

Sunday night, Dave took an interesting hospital visit. He has been to the ER three times this year, and always in the middle of the night. So, for variety, we took the dog to the ER instead. We returned from our pictures to find that our sweet dog, Sadie, had eaten a half pound package of chocolate brownie bites out of the trash. We didn't worry at first, because Sadie is famous for eating anything she can get her paws on, including rocks and concrete! But, after a few hours, she was standing in the middle of the kitchen, staring at the wall and whining. So, after a little internet research that scared us to death, Dave took her to the doggie ER until 2:30 a.m. They were able to get induce vomiting and determined that she would be OK. We are so thankful that our sweet little (well, big...) dog is better!
Monday we took the kids up to the mountains to do some sledding. They found a nice little hill and spent an hour or so taking turns whizzing down the slope and bumping over the parking block at the bottom--that was the best part, in their minds! Then Uncle Jeff helped them build a snowman while Dave took Paige for a ride in the sled (she was too afraid to go down the hill).

Christmas morning brought 4 kids trying to take turns opening presents, but having a very hard time waiting! They played all day and collapsed in happy heaps at the end.

Dave and I visited his parents after Christmas and enjoyed seeing that side of the family as well. It snowed there again, only this time I was prepared! We played outside for hours before heading inside to sleep away the excitement of the holiday.
As we prepare to begin a new year, I am amazed as always by the ways God has provided for us this year. He helped us through the scary period in the spring when Dave found his (thankfully benign) tumor in this mouth. He has given us a beautiful family and provides daily for our needs. I know He will do no less in the coming year! We pray that you will also feel His presence and provision! Happy New Year!

Christmas