Christmas

We had a WONDERFUL first Christmas as a family of 3!  David loved the paper more than anything else, of course!

Here he is with the photo book from Sally Jane!  He loves looking at her.  Ever since she and Laura visited last year, he just loves pictures of her.  We taped a picture of the two of them on his mirror so he can look at it every time we change his diaper.  He's pulls it down and looks at it and smiles all the time!
Auntie Alice got David a horse to ride on!  It makes galloping sounds and the ears and tail move!  It's so cute!  David isn't too sure about it right now, but he'll stand by it and touch it!
Grandma went to Build-A-Bear to make a Bronco bear for David.  When he was playing with it at home, he started to cry at it.  So we took the helmet off and now it's his best friend!!
This was the highlight!  We found hard foam blocks for David.  On Christmas morning, Bill built them up and played peek-a-boo around them.  David started cracking up!  David them knocked them over and laughed so hard he started to caugh!  Check out the video, too!

We're home!

We made it to Wyoming, on to the cabin in Rabbit Ears and home again.  David needed 1 night to adjust and then did GREAT!  He loved riding on the snow mobiles and being outside in the cold.

We are now doing load upon load of laundry and cleaning out our closets and basement.

Pictures will come, I promise!

We're off!

Merry Christmas to you all!  We had a wonderful time with the Robbins' side of the our family.  We all went to the Christmas Eve service at our church on Wednesday night and then to Bill's parents' house for presents and dinner (David went to bed after presents!).  We came home that night and opened presents and stockings at our house on Christmas morning.  We went back over to Bill's parents' for lunch and a GREAT time with family!  We are blessed that they live so close.

Here are the highlights... More pictures and stories to come!

We head out tomorrow morning for Wyoming to visit Bill's Aunt, Uncle, cousins and their kids (cousins once removed??).  Then on Saturday we will drive to the cabin for the annual New Year's celebration. 

David has his snow suit all ready ... think the little brother in "A Christmas Story!"

I know there will be much more to share.

2008 was an AMAZING year for us and we are looking forward to another fantastic one for 2009!

Merry Christmas to you all and Happy 2009!!

My Love

My Bill is amazing and incredible for so many reasons.  

But for today it's his PERSEVERANCE that gets me.

We decided in July that he should finish the 4 classes he needs for his degree.  He would be taking 2 classes in August (one night class and one online class) and 2 in September (one night class and one online).  Since these classes were set to end by October 1, we decided he would start the job at the church on October 1. 

One problem: One of the September classes wasn't offered until November.  So during the month of August, Bill worked full time and took 2 college classes.  He then took another class during September, started the church job in October and took his last class during November and December.  For the last 6 weeks he's been working full time at the high school, running the youth ministry at our church (with many weekend events), reading and writing papers for his class and all the while continuing to be the most incredible husband to me and father to David.

But now... it is finished.  He sent his final paper in on Sunday and received a A in the class.

PERSEVERANCE.  My husband doesn't give up.

I love you, sweetheart, and I'm so blessed to have YOU for my husband!

A new adventure awaits .... I'm sure of it!

Christmas Traditions part 2: The tree

After the Christmas party at Bill's parents', we headed to The Home Depot to get our Christmas Tree, sans David; it was just too cold.  Our car read 1˚!  

Because of this cold, there aren't pictures of us getting the tree and tying it to the roof of the car (not us, Bill).  All hands and fingers stayed covered at all times!

After getting David snug in his bed, Bill brought all of our Christmas totes upstairs from the basement.

The mess before

Bill worked on the tree while I set up the Christmas candles.

The finished products:

We love Christmas time.  The cold weather, the lights, the smell of the tree.  Ahh... 

Robbins' Christmas Party

Sunday was the annual Robbins Family Open House and Christmas Party.  It was great to catch up with friends on a very cold, snowy day!

David is practicing his walking skills with Melissa.  Melissa and her family have been friends with Bill's family for decades.  Melissa works at the charter school I worked at last year.  Her dad, Dennis, was the AWESOME principal at the school.  I really enjoyed working for him.

Crystal is a friend of the Robbins' family from when Bill worked at a church in Englewood, CO

Laura is Diana's really good friend and fellow Grandma!  
With Auntie Nicole and Grandma Pat!

(Did you notice the new, spikey 'do?)

Happy Birthday Cousin Bailey!

Our wonderful friends, Casey and Bethany (both in our wedding) have a beautiful little girl who turns 4 on Sunday!  Bailey was our flower girl for our wedding.  

We were invited to celebrate with her on Saturday.  She wanted a 'color' party where everyone dressed in their favorite color.  

Bailey is rocking out with her cousins on her new guitar!

The kids jumped 'on stage' to perform their songs.
Cute little lady with chocolate cake on her face!
Her Uncle Bill!  When I come over to visit them without Bill, I'm greeted with "Hi Auntie Donna, where's Uncle Bill?"
Crazy Uncle Casey... everyone's got to have one ... and only one!
Happy Birthday, Bailey!  We love you!