Stefan's 1st birthday party...

..and that is literal. I think there is still more partying to come! The Beals wanted to celebrate Stefan's first birthday today since we will be gone on his actual birthday. He loved all the attention, and he was completely spoiled with some fun toys! I think he'll be excited to play with all these when we come back home! Tonight we are busy finishing up packing. We are headed to Illinois early tomorrow morning. We will keep up with the blog as much as possible while we are travelling and visiting family.

Fun filled Weekend, Pt. 2

Aaahh! Christmas! I love it!

We had our own little family Christmas this morning.

Playing in the snow for a few minutes-it was cold! The snow started at 2pm yesterday and it is still snowing (2pm here)!!! I wonder how much we'll end up with. It is beautiful.

Fun filled Weekend, Pt. 1

Having his first cookie! OK, I know others have sneaked one by me, but this is his first one allowed by Mommy and Daddy!

After Stefan was in bed last night, Brian and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary with a nice dinner of meat fondue.

2 years ago today...

Today we are celebrating our 2nd anniversary. God has been so good to us in these two years. We're thankful for giving us to each other.
I love you, Brian.

our little musician

Stefan loves to sit and play and sing at the piano. He stays there for long periods of time entertaining himself with his beautiful music!

Unique Ministry Opportunity

About a month ago a local mall contacted our church and asked if we could provide a group to come carol. Of course we were very happy to do so. On Wednesday, our youth group went to carol and tonight the church choir, as well as anyone else from the church who wanted to come, caroled. We sang three songs from our cantata which we did last week and then a large selection of Christmas carols. Though we were not allowed to pass out literature, we were given a table to display literature from the church. We also passed out balloons to the kids and candy canes as well. It was an excellent way to get our church's name out in the community. We had quite a large crowd gathered around us for most of the time. It turned out to be a wonderful opportunity, and we hope to be able to do it again next year.

So much for my "gate!"

I obviously need to come up with a better method!

Our first snow of the winter

And it is beautiful!

Daddy and Stefan

They love wrestling on the floor together!

Handel's Messiah

Last night, a couple in our church treated us to a concert in Symphony Hall in Boston. We got to hear Handel's Messiah performed by the Handel and Haydn Society. It was a fabulous concert. Very inspiring both musically and spiritually. The pictures aren't great, but that is what we get for trying to take one with the timer seconds before going out the door!

Reflecting on Christmas: Past and Present

This is the first Christmas season where I haven't been with Mom and Dad for at least part of the season. So I guess that is making me a little sentimental. This post is mainly for them, so the rest of you can stop reading now...unless of course you want to be sentimental with me!

Today as I was reflecting on my list of to do's for the Christmas season, I was struck with how different this Christmas is from any other I have experienced before. I began thinking about what gifts I needed to buy for Stefan and Brian, what goodies I needed to make and the many other things that come up during this season. Then it hit me. If there are no gifts under the tree on Christmas morning, I'm responsible. If there are no yummy goodies to snack on throughout this season, I'm responsible. If there aren't festive decorations around the house, I'm responsible. What about those special traditions done only at Christmas time? If they aren't happening in my home, I'm responsible. Why? Because I'm Mommy.

All those wonderful gifts, beautifully wrapped didn't just appear. My Mom had to plan and make it happen. Sure I helped bake some of those goodies, but if Mom hadn't been there it wouldn't have happened. And those wonderful Christmas memories? Someone made it all happen so that Christmas was always one of my favorite times of the year.

Even last year. I was nine months pregnant with Stefan. And guess who came in just before Christmas, almost like a Santa. Mom. She made sure there were gifts a plenty under the tree. Our stockings were stuffed full to bursting, and there were tons of yummy treats. We were in my home, but it was Mom that made it all happen.

This year, for the very first time, Mom isn't here. It's completely up to me. I'm glad I can at least talk on the phone and get "help" in that way! Mom, I miss you dreadfully, but I'm thrilled to this year be THE MOM. I hope to pass on as many wonderful memories and traditions to my family as you did to me.

Ladies Christmas Tea

Last night I had a nice time at our church's ladies Christmas tea. We had a good time of fellowship, singing Christmas Carols (I think I'm taking a favorite in that picture), and testimonies. The decorations and food were all wonderful. I helped out with the decorations, but the huge part of the work was the food, which I just came and enjoyed! We also did a cookie swap (that's the boxes you see there) so I brought home a nice variety of Christmas goodies.

Cleanup time! The oldest person there washed every single dish! Hmmm...doesn't seem right, but we tried to stop her. Who's to argue when a 90-some year old woman makes up her mind?!