Getting old...together!

We are celebrating Chris' 28th birthday tomorrow and for the party I pulled out some old pictures of Chris. From the photos of him as a chubby cheeked, dark haired, smiling baby to the adorable freckled nosed little boy and on through the somewhat awkward messy haired, air guitar playing teenager, the responsible (yet still somehow rambunctious) missionary and young adult, and then pictures of him as a fiancee, groom, new husband, and new father. I love how he hasn't changed, and I love how he has! I am so fortunate that my life is now a part of his and so much better because it is. I love you, happy birthday Chris-py. I look forward to many more adventurous years and silly pictures together!

I wanted to post his baby pictures so that you would know for sure where Arthur got his chubby cheeks from (and his beautiful smile!), but the scanned photos wouldn't upload properly. So, here is a just a little taste Chris' latest years and of our life together.

Sea Life

We spent the day Saturday at the Brighton Sea Life Center for Arthur's friend Eli's first birthday party. It was so much fun! Arthur couldn't get enough of the fish, he would go from tank to tank saying "more, more!". They had a huge open tank with sharks and two of the largest turtles in the world. Arthur was so excited about the turtles that he added "turtle" to his vocabulary (or "tur-tur" as he calls them). All in all it was a wonderful visit to the aquarium followed by lunch at an American style diner, and then wandering through the shops and enjoying the sea front view. We bought fresh fried doughnuts for the car ride home and watched the sun go down over the pier. I wish every Saturday was just like this one!

Snowed in!

The snow just keeps coming here and the entire country is in an uproar! No one knows quite what to do, so the sidewalks stay icy and the trains get cancelled. Chris and I are feeling right at home though! We had an extra long weekend (since they cancelled church!) to play in the snow, so bring on the snowball fights, snowmen, sledding and of course the hot chocolate!

Merry Christmas!

Waiting for Christmas is so exhausting!

My parents sent Arthur this puppy dog and basket for Christmas. Also in the basket was a winter hat and mittens for Arthur but because they were wrapped with the dog Arthur was convinced they had to be worn only by the puppy.

Thanks for the gifts Grandma and Grandpa!

We had our traditional Christmas breakfast of bacon and egg croissant sandwiches- with homemade egg nog! YUM!

Ahhh, the joys of assembling new toys all morning...

This could be Arthur's favorite gift of all time- it is a dish set which he promptly ignored all of his other toys for and began 'whipping' up a plate of food for everyone! He is my little chef!

"Ho Ho!"

I've never dressed up 'festive' for Christmas, but this year I did it!

Arthur really got into the spirit of things this year, it was so fun to watch him passing out presents!

Arthur with Grandad and Great Grandad.

Opening that one Christmas Eve gift- thanks for the pajamas Grandma!

We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and a fun New Year!

English Snow!!

Quacking snowmen

Arthur's favorite word is "Quack"! It started with ducks, anytime he saw a duck- "Quack!", then it moved onto anything that flies in any sort of bird like fashion- "Quack, quack, quack!", now even the snowmen are quacking! I think it is the orange carrot noses and the white bodies that remind Arthur of ducks. Anne put up a wooden snowman decoration by the fireplace and now Arthur loves to squat right in front of it and say "Quack, quack!" as if they are old friends! I love this quacking boy!!

Christmas Traditions

Putting up the Christmas tree is one of my favorite traditions. It just sets off the feeling of Christmas in the air and puts me in such a festive mood! I can't wait to do it every Christmas and, as Chris has started to notice, I inch up the 'put up the tree' day a little sooner each year. First it was a beginning of December thing, then an end of November thing, recently Chris has to put his foot down to not have it up for Thanksgiving! But since we are living at someone elses house I didn't get the chance to be hasty this year. Phil and Anne got the tree out last week and quietly began pulling out ornaments. I stumbled upon them putting up decorations and literally dragged Arthur out of bed to come down and help so I could photograph the whole thing! He loved it and I'm so glad I didn't let him sleep through this Christmas tradition!