A Montana Wedding

We just got back from my little brother's wedding in Montana and shew, was it a fun busy week! Growing up, my younger brother was my best friend. We did everything together and shared a lot of the same friends. When he graduated from high school (my sophomore year of college) he moved out to Montana where we have an aunt, uncle, and some cousins. I always thought he would come back, but since then he has made a life out there. He went to school in Montana, became a wild-fire firefighter, got really into rock climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, skydiving, started his own film company, and then finally he met this girl and was timid to tell the family about her. After a while, all he could talk about was this girl in his life and how cool she was. One thing led to another and they decided to spend the rest of their lives together. So after only meeting this girl once, I was off to Montana to help celebrate their wedding! It was an amazing week spent with family and my brothers friends. It was so nice to see what my brother has made of his life and the person he has become. Through the years I have had a hard time with him being so far away and no longer being a part of his life. His wedding was very emotional for me, but I am happy beyond words for him. He has truly found an amazing life partner!

Oregon & My First Nephew

Andy and I just got back from 5 wonderful days in Oregon. The purpose of our trip to was to see our first baby nephew. He was born premature about 6-weeks ago and that was an emotional roller coaster for me. I had no idea that a nephew would bring about so many hormones an emotions in me. I guess I am human afterall... The visit to Oregon was wonderful! We had tons of cuddles with the baby, played lots of games, ate great food, drank some great wine, went to a Tulip Festival, and we were even able to visit with extended family. It was fun to be immersed in the world of a newborn. I was surprised at how adaptable Andy became, learning to change diapers, burping the baby, napping with the baby, and overall showing a lot of love and responsibility for his nephew. I think seeing my husband responding positively to a baby is probably one of the biggest turn-ons! Despite the stress and chaos (at times) of being around a newborn, both Andy and I got a very good feel for how it is.  Oh boy...we'll see how long it will be before we take on our own babies...

Christmas at Dads

This Christmas party was last week, but since Andy and I are driving across the US this week (VA to CA) I wrote this post ahead of time. We are probably driving across the middle-states right now. Those long straight roads...they are a killer. Anyway, this was a Christmas party at my dad and step-mom's house in Virginia. We always have great conversation and good food at their house.

I hope your post-Christmas days are relaxing as the new year approaches. We sure will be glad to make it to California and start relaxing.

Christmas Cards

I grew up in a family that took a family picture and then used it in our Christmas cards. We did this every year. It was Spaulding-Family tradition. I think it may have had something to do with being missionaries as well. People back in the States wanted to know that we were still alive and well in the jungles of Papua New Guinea. We also did a family newsletter chock full of pictures and juicy tidbits of us kids- like: Ellie started wearing a bra this year, Luke has his first native girlfriend, Jesse finally stopped peeing his pants etc. (Ha, just kidding about the juicy news part. God forbid missionaries mention that kind of stuff!)

One of the first Spaulding-Family photos. Taken at our village house. I don't know who the lady in the background is.

So back to the family picture. My brothers and I dreaded it every year. We'd complain, we'd procrastinate on getting dressed, we'd make faces, but it always happened. My dear parents put up with us all for the sake of that damned family picture! When it was all said and done though, we looked good. My dad did an awesome job with the camera self-timer and getting everyone in order and smiling at the same time. I hope people appreciated those pictures. We were probably gazed across many the refrigerator...a refrigerator celebrity-family of sorts.

This years Christmas card. 2012

Suffice all those years of dreading the family picture, it has stuck. The idea has clung to me like Vegemite on a piece of toast. (We grew up with Vegemite, love the stuff!) So I continue the tradition with our tiny family of Andy, Myself, and our dog Mr. Buckles. They are troopers as I parade us around looking for the best spots and messing with the camera self-timer. Sometimes we get a friend involved and have them hold the camera, as to take out a bit of the guess work.

Last years Christmas card. 2011

In the end we get a great picture and it goes on our Christmas card. I excitedly write notes to people on the back of the cards and send them off like a giddy school girl. I'm sure Andy and I are the only 20-somethings without kids that actually do a family photo Christmas card. People may get the cards and scowl at the fact that we hold our dog in the center of the picture as if he were our child. I don't care though, it makes me happy, and if nothing else I am carrying on the Spaulding-Family tradition. Does your family do picture Christmas cards?

Our first Christmas card. 2010