~The last few weeks~

These are just a few photos of the things that have kept us busy the last few weeks, or at least the things that I had the camera out for. Also, we just started (finally!) painting the inside of our home, so photos to come on that soon.

I can't believe we're already two weeks into the new year, actually a new decade. Happy 2010 everyone!!!

We are a few months into the Blazers season...we still love the season tickets we share with the Stricklands. How about that win over Kobe and the Lakers on Friday?!?!
Waiting in line outside in the cold at 6:45 AM for the REI "scratch and dent sale." Dustin wasn't kidding when it said "it's all about the experience." But, it was well worth it - we got some great gear for a fraction of the price that we would normally have to pay.
We had our first real party at the house on New Year's Day - about 15 or 16 of our friends came over to watch the Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl Game. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out quite as we had hoped.
Cheering on those ducks!
We had our first (and maybe last) big snow of the year on December 27. It wasn't even predicted by the weathermen. Thankfully, we were able to walk to the Marsons for dinner that night!
Our house looks great with the pretty snow!

Quite a bit of snow piling up in the street.
The first snowfall!

~Christmas: Colorado~

This year, we spent the week of Christmas out in Colorado Springs with my side of the family. It was a great trip, a lot of fun, and very relaxing. We hadn't seen Miss Avery since she was 2 weeks old, so it was so much fun playing with her and watching her little personality just blossom. We ate A LOT of good food, way too much actually. Mom was able to spend almost the whole week away from work (including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!), which is the first since she was on maternity leave with my sister 23 years ago! We were able to hit up the mountain one day for some good skiing. We were also able to meet Miss Marie, who is Kari's newest niece. Camber and Jeff (sister and bro-in-law of Josh and Kari) live right around the corner. They were able to celebrate the week with us as well as their 2 adorable kiddos! All in all, it was a fantastic trip. Thanks mom and dad for all of the yummy food and the awesome Christmas gifts. Thanks Josh and Kari (and Avery and Sara!) for opening up your house again and letting us crash there all week. We love you guys and can't wait to see you again soon!
Hands full during an early morning trip to the airport
Visiting with our great friends, Joseph and Karah, and their new home in Denver
My father loves Christmas; can you tell???
Avery was sleeping when we got to Josh and Kari's - got to go wake her up!
Grandpa reading the Bible with Avery
She loves her tongue...it seems to be her fascination right now.
She loves her Uncle Dustin...and the sweet Nike kicks we gave her.
A fun day of skiing at Monarch

With both the babies....Avery Ann and Marie Michelle
Christmas Eve
Love my sisters!
Shepard Family (Camber is Kari's sister)
Keithley Family
All of us (minus mom and dad)
Goofy pajamas...I love that my husband plays along with my family's long-standing goofy traditions!
Regular funny Christmas picture - this year's theme was adult onesie pjs!
And of course, the goofy one!
I just love my little Avery...can't get enough of her!
Cousin Wyatt "holding" Miss Avery...he insisted! :)

~Christmas: Junction City~

This year, we were extra lucky and got to celebrate Christmas lots and lots of times! We did a little Christmas with just the 2 of us on Friday 12/18 (sorry, no pictures!)...opened just a few gifts to start with. Then we headed down to JC and celebrated with the DeGroots on Saturday 12/19. We didn't have the camera out much over the weekend, but these are a few we did manage to take!

~Couch Family Christmas Party~

Our great friends, Hannah and Kelly, host a fun Christmas party each year, filled with funny outfits, yummy food, Christmas songs, goofy gifts, and great fellowship. This year, Dustin and I got in the "spirit" and wore our best goofy Christmas outfits. We ate tons of yummy snacks (to the point of stomach aches!) and had a blast laughing and hanging out with lots of friends. Plus, we scored some great movie tickets for one of our gifts! :) Thanks, again, Couch Family for being such great hosts!

Dustin and I... creative outfits this year!
A few of the guys and their Christmas attire
Singing some favorite Christmas carols
More Christmas carols
Katrina won the gift I brought...a "sauna suit" to help you lose weight faster! :) She was a great model, too!
Girls photo
Boys photo
Dustin and I
Katrina with another gift from the night - a giant Pug!
Alex asleep on the couch...poor guy! He got back from a 3 week trip to Asia just hours before and had some serious jet lag. But lesson learned - if you fall asleep at a party, funny things may happen to you!

~Baby Tyler~

Introducing...Tyler James Olafson! Congrats to new mommy and daddy, Jayme and Matt. Dustin and Matt are childhood friends from Junction City. We were able to stop by their house on Friday afternoon and see Baby Tyler, who was only 4 days old. He is such a cutie and a blessing...Matt and Jayme will make fantastic parents!

~Miss Avery: 3 Months~

Our cute little niece, Miss Avery Ann, is already 3 months old...now almost 4 months old! These pictures just melt my heart. What a joy she is to my brother and sister-in-law, my parents, sister, and I am sure anyone who meets her. So precious. I am soooo excited to spend a whole week with her (and the rest of my family!) for Christmas this year. We love you Avery Ann!!!!

I love my DUCKS!

How about those DUCKS? Headed to the Rose Bowl for the first time since the early 1990's! This video is awesome....if you have a minute, (or 3:30!) check this out. Pretty creative college kids.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UQAr0x32tA