Denver

Ryan and I were able to drive to Denver this last weekend for Gavin’s baby blessing. It was a quick visit; we left here on Saturday morning and drove back on Monday. (Note to self: Beth's calm expires after about 8 to 9 hours in a car so if you think you might be delayed by traffic or anything else under the sun, take ear plugs along). We had a great time playing games over at Jason and Ellen’s and just spending what little time we had together.

On Sunday it was a beautiful blessing. Gavin is a big and handsome boy. Here he is with Uncle Ryan and Ellen.
Eric and Beth had fun in the hotel, especially before it was time to go to bed. We had to push one of the beds up against the wall and create a playpen type enclosure at 1:30 in the morning on the first night after Eric fell out of bed twice.

Now for a Trip Down Memory Lane. This is more for the Clines side. The Hooker House 20 odd years later. Still looks good.

Boy this brings back memories for me. I like the paint job but one of the trees in front looks a little bare compared to the one we planted.

The playhouse is still standing and still beloved. I wish I could have gone in and taken a look around.

This is for Mary, she'll remember fond memories of this.

My elementary alma mater.

Our old stomping grounds. Pretty doesn't seem to cover it. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Denver temple.

Many great memories. Wish we had more time to look around spend with family.

It's Christmas!

Ryan here. Guess who was the first one awake this morning? It wasn't Eric or Beth. In fact, they slept in. Eric kept getting up last night (guess we got him a little too excited) and Beth didn't settle down to sleep until around one this morning.

Around seve thirty I went down to see if Santa came. Sure enough, the cookies and milk were gone and a there was a pile of presents under the tree. I switched on the tree lights, turned on some music, and called up: "He came! He came!"

Here's our lineup, coming down the stairs.
Here's Beth with the first toy of the morning. A ball that lights up and plays music. Cassie was just thrilled. "Great. More noise."

Here's Eric reverently holding his "101 Dalmatians" DVD.

Here's me ruining a perfectly wonderful wrapping job just to satisfy my holiday avarice. Oh well, it's Christmas.

We're sitting back and playing with our Christmas right now and enjoying some cinnamon roles. We got a little snow falling outside, Eric's new train bridge is ding-dinging non-stop, and Beth's taking a long winter's nap. We hope you're all enjoying your mornings, that you were on Santa's Nice list, and that you all have a very merry Christmas.

Christmas Eve

Here is Ryan putting the finishing touches on our snowman.

Here's our creation: Quasi-snowman. Cucumber eyes, a carrot nose, and rock teeth.
Here are a few pictures from our Christmas Eve. Our attempt to include our parents and family that are far away. We love you all and wish you a very merry Christmas!

Our gorgeous Beth in her new Christmas pajamas.

Eric sporting his Thomas sleepware.

Our Christmas lineup. Merry Christmas to all!

Welcome!

Congratulations to Jason and Ellen! They have a new member of the family, Gavin Glenn Alleman. Ellen deserves a medal because he was a healthy 9 lbs and 11.5 oz! And she was in labor a really long time. Great job you guys and welcome little Gavin.

Snow Time

We have had some fun in the snow this last week, although it is so cold outside that we don't go out that often. Eric doesn't care one way or the other but Beth gets chilled and red nosed very fast. She spends most her time as a little Eskimo, wrapped up so tight that she can hardly move while Eric runs all over the place and makes her laugh. It also looks like we will be getting a white Christmas and isn’t supposed to stop snowing till Saturday. Eric will love it.

Hi!

Sunday

We have found that feeding Beth-of-the-flailing-arms is much easier when she doesn't have any clothes on. She knocks the spoon out of your hand so fast and makes a complete mess.

Here is our little-big man in his church clothes. The belt seems to make him look so much older. Why is it that he always looks like he's up to something?

This is one of Erics and Beths favorite games together. I sometimes worry about how fast he can get going but Beth seems to keep up without a problem.

Christmas Cookies

Ryan here! Last Sunday we figured it was time to roll out some Christmas cookies: delicious and aesthetically pleasing. We even made a train for Eric. Take a look see:
The kids got in on the baking action as well. Beth proved remarkably adept at rolling it out.

Eric did extensive taste-testing of the dough and frosting, and he had a little too much fun with the flour.

Here're the kids in action. Santa's little cookie-making elves:

We hope you're all having a wonderful Christmas season!

What the kids are up to.

This is some of what the kids have been up to.

Eric is still doing great, we have been enjoying using paper to make pictures. Of course he doesn’t want to make anything to do with Christmas or Thanksgiving, just Thomas. Big surprise. (We also have no idea how to get his hair to stay down in the back. Is this a "little-boy" thing?)

I forgot how nice it is when the baby can’t move and has to stay in one spot. Now if I turn my back for a minute she is somewhere I don’t want her to be. This incident also inspired a call to poison control just to make sure that the plant food I use would not be harmful. Thankfully it is not.

More Pictures

Beth showing me her teeth.

Big blue eyes and a great smile.

Eric and our tree.
Am I up to something? Guess?

I am so cute!