Chris & Sara's Engagement Party

The happy couple.


1 bride, 2 bridesmaids, 2 flower girls, and a partridge in a pear tree

Happy 2008!!

These are the pictures I would have used for our Christmas card if I hadn't procrastinated until it was too late.

Tahoe

Christmas Day

Tessa's stocking


Here comes the bride! Tessa got a dress up bridal set from Santa and she LOVED it!!!

Christmas Eve

This year we spent Christmas Eve at my parents house. My brother, sis, and her fiance Chris were all there. As has been tradition in my family we attended mass, ate dinner, opened gifts, and had chocolate fondue for dessert. My parents seem to have figured out the secret to cooking the perfect prime rib and it was delicious!!!

Merry Christmas from Iraq

It's hard to believe that John's been gone for nearly four months now and has more time behind him than in front. He sent this picture of he and his squadron, wearing the santa hats that Oma sent over, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!

Happy 59th Grandpa!

Graham Cracker Houses

This is Tessa's "gingerbread" house that she decorated in preschool yesterday. The parents actually constructed the little graham cracker houses the night before so they would harden in time and the kids had a blast decorating them with all sorts of goodies. Unfortunately Tessa consumed most of her decorations before the picture, but you get the general idea.

Here is the icing recipe if anyone is interested in making them at home:

3 Tbsp Meringue Powder (can be found at Michael's craft store)
4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. Cream of Tartar
3 1/2 oz. warm water

Mix dry ingredients. Add water and beat 7-10 minutes.

Allow icing to harden on the houses for a couple of hours or over night.

*The Meringue Powder is very important it's what makes the icing harden.

flu shot

making brownies

Tessa is a great help in the kitchen. She takes her job as batter licker very seriously.

Tahoe in November

Tessa and I spent a wonderful weekend in Tahoe with John's family on Thanksgiving weekend. All of Tessa's cousins were there and the kids had a blast! I decided to relax and enjoy rather than document each moment, thus only a few pics were taken. Here is Tessa exploring and rock throwing into the lake. In the far distance you can barely see Heavenly due to a major lack of snow.

Discovering

full circle

This Sunday Tessa and I went to Chico to visit my oldest friend Tara and her daughter Alison. The girls had so much fun together! We were there for two days and they pretty much happily entertained themselves the entire time. It's amazing to see our girls together at nearly the same age we were when we met and became lifelong friends nearly twenty-five years ago.

Don't turn your back....

Even for one second!!!

This started out as Tessa innocently washing her hands after going to the bathroom. I only turned my back for a second... well she's four now so maybe it was a bit longer than a second.

Santa already!?

I took Tessa to the mall yesterday just to get the heck out of the house for a couple of hours. While there we discovered that Santa is ALREADY in town. Tessa watched carefully while other children went up, sat on his lap, and told him what they wanted for Christmas. After about 5 minutes I said it was time to go and she insisted that we stay so she could sit on Santa's lap. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. She's never been fond of Santa or any other "characters" for that matter. In any case, the line was short so we got in. I thought that by the time it was her turn she would have changed her mind. Well, I couldn't have been more wrong. When her turn came she walked right up with all the confidence in the world, gave Santa the biggest hug and sat right down on his lap. She kept smiling for the camera even though they weren't actually taking her picture (way too expensive), but it was darn cute. When he asked what she wanted for Christmas she said, "a dollhouse." The whole thing was totally adorable and I just stood there watching in amazement that MY child would be brave enough to sit with Santa.

no news is good news

Today Tessa had her six-month ultrasound to check the status of her Hydronephrosis. She did a great job! She lay perfectly still for the tech and did everything she was asked without complaining. The results showed that things are the same. Still waiting for her non-developed right kidney to disappear. Her Hydronephrotic left kidney is substantially larger than a normal kidney of a four year old, but it is functioning well even with the dilation caused by the Hydronephosis. Her urologist asked that we repeat the ultrasound in another year. Our hope is that even though she should be able to live a very normal and healthy life with her one damaged kidney, that maybe it will heal itself over time.

Trick-or-Treat

Andy & Sorrenta's Engagement Party

two wheels

Tessa is bound and determined to learn how to ride two wheels. I personally am in no rush but it's hard to dissuade a determined four year old.

Pumpkin Carving