Halleluja we have SURVIVED the dreaded holiday photo!! hee-hee. I subject my poor family to this pain in the hopes that one day, we will all look back on it and be glad we have a little snapshot in time to enjoy. Since I am pretty much THE WORST at taking pictures...it's nice to have an old standby I can count on! So, after 2HOURS - I kid you not - we came out with a few that I can live with. Funny...the older they get, the harder it is to get a photo where everyone is a)smiling, and b)looking at the camera. Why is that?!?!? Hmmmmmmmmm. Well, here a few of my favorites.

New creature in da house!

So, got a new little critter for Gabe. He is the cutest little guinea pig in the ENTIRE FREE WORLD. I'm not usually one for guinea pigs. I can take 'em or leave 'em. This little dude, however, is the exception. He's a baby - about 8 weeks old, has really pretty grey/brown/silverish fur and loves to cuddle on my shoulder all nestled in my hair. Gabe has named him Bob Marley, which is perfect. He's one chill little critter.

We are so proud of Uncle Shawn!

Uncle Shawn is an absolute bona fide hero in our house. He recently sent me this picture of him holding his quite large, read: bigger than me, gun while at training. As both boys are in to ALL THINGS NATIONAL GUARD at the moment, they are thrilled to see this awesome pic of their uncle all suited up with the HUGE gun. They are so very proud of Uncle Shawn. We all are. Our prayers will be with him DAILY as he fights for our country in Iraq. We love you Uncle Shawn! We are so proud of you!

Gavin's Baptism

Our sweet Gavin was baptised this Sunday. After MUCH pleading and begging and insisting etc etc etc on his part, we decided he meant business and it was time. So, off we went to meet Pastor Chris (Church on the Rock, we love you!) for his baptism. Unfortunately, mommy missed the memo that they wouldn't be providing robes (was going from memory of my own baptism....ooops) so the Gavster, brave little soul that he is, was baptised in JEANS. He didn't complain. He was so thrilled to be taking this huge step of faith - his whole face was glowing. We are so proud of the strong young man he is becoming. His faith is an inspiration to us all!