Merry Christmas

Unlike the past several years there will be no traveling for us this Christmas. We're just going to stay home and relax and enjoy being a family and playing with all our presents without having to worry about going anywhere.

Blizzard of 2009

This is the first year that we've decided to spend Christmas in Maryland and boy what a Christmas it's going to be. It dumped about 18" of snow on us today. The girls loved it and couldn't wait to play in it. Brian on the other hand was real excited about it while inside, but not to much when outside.

All Aboard

This year instead of fighting traffic and the crowds at the mall to see Santa, we took a train. Santa's Paradise Express departing from Strasburg, PA. It was everything a visit with Santa should be: cozy, peaceful, and relaxed.

Jasper

Jasper has been a faithful and constant part of our lives for the past 16 years now, and now has come the time to say goodbye. I know that this is just how it is. It's part of having a pet, but Jasper alway seem to have a somewhat mythical part to him. I really thought he would live forever.

Weslie . . . with Diamonds

I guess I'm getting soft. I didn't want to cut Brian's hair, but then I relented. Then earlier this week Weslie had asked to get her ears pierced and I told her, "absolutely not". Everyday she asked and everyday I said no, but today she pleaded her case one more time and this time I just didn't have it in me to tell her no. I guess in the long run it doesn't matter whether she's 12, the arbitrary age that I had assigned to be the appropriate ear piercing age, or six. It was a decision I wanted her to make for herself and she did.

Just a Little Off the Top

Brian got his first haircut today. I was reluctant but in the end I gave in. He was going to get a haircut sooner of later why fight it. Brian on the other hand had a different take on the situation and fighting it was at the top of his list. Thankfully the lady who cut his hair was very patient and did a great job. Gabbie loves his haircut and keeps saying that he's so handsome and she wants to marry him.