Christmas '08

I was taking a peek at everyone's blogs and saw all of the fun Christmas pictures, traditions, and updates so I thought I'd better join in the fun! We had Christmas with just the two of us first and exchanged a few small presents. My favorite was an exercise ball! Funny....first Christmas as a married woman, and I'm getting exercise equipment...hmmm...(Although Kyle frequently reminds me that I asked for it, it wasn't HIS idea--hehe!)
We headed to the thriving metropolis of East Chain after work on Wednesday. We had Shiho (one of our foreign exchange students from 4 years ago) and her boyfriend Kohei staying with us over Christmas. It was fun to celebrate and share family traditions with them. We had our big feast (steak and shrimp--YUM!) on Christmas Eve and opened stockings...here are a few favorite pics...

Shiho decided it would be fun to WEAR she and Kohei's stockings! :)

The guys all got the same "AWESOME" pens in their stockings.

On Christmas Day we went to church, relaxed, played games, and then piled up our plates with yummy snacks to get ready to open presents. A few more favorite pictures...

Rylee was a central participant in all of the family fun.
She was just glad that she got to be in the living room, and not outside!

(L-R) Kyle, Mel, Felicia, Cameron, Kohei, Shiho

TOOLS!
(Can you hear the manly grunting???) :)

On Friday we headed up to Breezy and just beat the snow/ice. We had another fantastic Christmas meal with something new to try for me--king crab legs! They were so yummy!!! We openned presents, played more games, went to see Marley & Me (GREAT MOVIE!), and enjoyed a wonderful church service on Sunday.
Whew! We had so much fun with family over Christmas, and were continually reflecting on how thankful we are for them. We had many great times of remembering Christ's birth, and thanking Him for all He's done for us as well. We hope you had a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

Our First Christmas and some "Wild" fun!

Wicked

If you EVER get a chance to go see "Wicked"....DO IT!!!!! We went last weekend with some family members and friends as part of a fundraiser for Gillette Children's Hospital, and it was AMAZING! I will never watch "The Wizard of Oz" the same way.

We're Home Owners!

Thanks to everyone for "patiently" waiting for the update :) I put all of the pictures I had on our Shutterfly website, but I know that my mom took some really great ones of the Saturday moving crew as well, so I'll update more later. We have officially lived in our new home just over 2 weeks. We feel more "at home" everyday. Although last night we already had a police officer knocking at our door!!! YIKES! She wanted to welcome us to the neighborhood, but someone must have tipped her off to how wild and crazy we are....hmm.....;) We are still waiting for a mailbox, and waiting to meet neighbors (I think everyone is hibernating!) but we are enjoying the area, and being "up north".

We are just SO THANKFUL....

1. For the help and support of family and friends. We wouldn't have been able to consider moving into a home without your help--you are blessings!

2. For the help on moving day (and pre-moving night!!!) You were all troupers!

3. For a warm place to live, and to share with others. You're ALL welcome to stop over, or stay WHENEVER!!!!!

4. For a garage--hehe!!! :)

5. For laundry machines that do not cost $1 to operate :)

The list could go on and on....

We hope you enjoy Christmas with family and friends, and celebrating the Reason for the Season--Jesus!!!