The Christmas Carol

Yesterday we went to see the Christmas Carol. I'm a sucker for Christmas movies anyway...but this one my friends...I loved! It will be a staple in our house for many years to come! If you can...go see it in 3D, it is AMAZING! I have seen several 3D movies and this one is the neatest! Go see it!

And to make it feel even more like Christmas this year - we woke up to snow flurries! Love it!

Keeping Christmas

I have been hearing the words "Keeping Christmas" a lot this year. Whether it be on the radio, on TV, at church, in stores....wherever...I have heard it a lot.

Upon hearing these words over and over this Christmas season, I have been thinking a lot about what in the world they mean? What does it mean to "Keep Christmas?" Does it mean, keep the spirit of Christmas? Does it mean keeping the Christmas traditions? Does it mean keeping "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays?"

To inquire further...I brought it to our high school youth group this last Sunday. I gave them each a piece of paper and had them fill in the blank: Keeping Christmas means ___________.

Smart kids. Keeping Christmas means...Keeping Christmas about Jesus! Amen!

To follow up with the lesson, I had them each write down three things they were going to do this Christmas season in order to "Keep Christmas."

I challenge each of us to do the same. Think of at least 3 things you are going to do in order to "Keep Christmas" this year. If you want, please...share!

Good thoughts...

Once again, a thought from my flip calendar I want to share:

"To know God is to receive his invitation. Not just to hear it, not just to study it, not just to acknowledge it, but to receive it. It is possible to learn much about God's invitiation and never respond to it personally."

"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." Hebrews 4:7

Good words and good thoughts for this Christmas season!

One year

Goose turned one on December 1st. We have been keeping a photo record of his tremendous growth. In short...he got big. We took all the pictures in the same spot. Look at the height of the couch to get an idea.

9 weeks old.

6 months old.

One year old.

Isn't he BEAUTIFUL?!?!?

Thanksgiving

We had a WONDERFUL thanksgiving. Best friends Dave and Jess came up along with my best sis Polly. We at A LOT of food the entire weekend. Highlights from this Thanksgiving holiday:

- Up early cooking pie with sister
- Lots of food...all very yummy
- My Birthday cake...from baskin robbins...Chocolate galore!
- The sun came out for one day so we went on a hike along a bluff
- We discovered the single best restaurant in Washington. A mom and pop place called mosquito chili. People...I'm telling ya...they had food to die for. Polly wanted a little place by the water to eat at...so we stumbled on one. We will be returning.
- Poker...yep, we like to invite people over, make them buy in to a poker game...and then...take their money. :)
- Craps. Polly and Craig both made some money! WHOOOO HOOO!
- Birthday dinner at my fav restaurant in town. Clams and noodles for me...with lots of baked garlic and bread. Is there a better dinner?
- Cranium. The boys didn't even stand a chance. We whooped it up folks!
- Sitting talking with my girls. Girl talk...can't beat it.
- We found the coolest park...huge swings and a mini zip line!
-Two words...awkward turtle.

One heck of a holiday. What a blessing. Here are some shots.

I did a little photo shoot of the sis.

Polly and Goose.

Oh boy. Weird dog. Weirder sister.

These swings were super sweet.

My ladies.

The spread. Yummy.

On our hike.

Dave braving it through the cactus bushes.

Hike on the bluff.

Beautiful day.

The crew

Swinging. ..I felt like I was going to fall off.

We need one of these in our backyard.

Jess on the mini zip line. HILARIOUS!

Go dave go!

Jess getting Dave ready to go!

Early morning pie cooking. Can you tell it is early?