Christmas and New Years

The quiet and not so quiet times of Advent led us to a beautiful first Christmas as a married couple. Sarah and I have really enjoyed getting more involved in our parish - it has really given us more ownership in the parish and a greater connection. Like many in the Pacific Northwest we enjoyed the white winter wonderland, but then it also became a bit of a nuisance. The roads were a disaster out here, but it looks beautiful.

One day when we were walking to Church (there was no driving for a good 2 weeks) we started to think of how wonderful the snow was. It forced people to slow down before rejoicing in the birth and anticipation of our Savior. Families were sledding on the city streets - which meant that many probably met their neighbors for the first time. It was rather peaceful.

We were excited for our first Christmas together. Christmas Carols followed by midnight mass and then a good night sleep. Christmas day was a bit different than planned. Because of the weather we decided to carpool up to Anacortes with Ashton, Matt, and David. The ride up was slow going and the ride home - let's just say that Baby Jesus was with us.

It was a very enjoyable Christmas and time to spend with the family. As we are all getting older, busy with work, school, starting married life, looking forward to married life, and everything else, the family doesn't get together all that often anymore. And it is always a plus when the first thing you smell when walking in the house are mom's cinnamon rolls. We enjoyed a gift exchange and white elephant - but we were also all spoiled by Nicole who went shopping for everyone with her class!

Then after some crazy times in O'Hare Airport we made it to the Midwest to visit my family. We enjoyed a comedy musical, took a quick road trip to the UP (eh?) to show Sarah more of my "old stomping grounds" and also visit my God-mother, played a lot of cribbage, and had a crazy New Year's Eve babysitting Cayden. He's getting so big, and his giggles, little sayings, and running around are enough to keep a smile on your face forever.

It was a bit harder to leave this time because we don't know when we will get back to visit everyone or be able to have the family out here, but God has a plan and it will all come together.