Drumroll please. . . .

There is a three way tie for Grand Champions of 2007 for most Creative Christmas card!!!!
Creativity with Christmas cards goes way back in my family. My mom thinks about the Christmas card all year to come up with the most creative idea. So every year we all pick our favorite creative card. There were three this year that were stand outs. Drumroll please. . . I know you have been waiting on pins and needles:)
The Murphys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - this card just makes me smile. We adore the Murphy Family. I coached both of the girls in Volleyball and had them in campaigners. Pat and Patty are the boys Godparents. The boy's new favorite Murphy is the sweet puppy in the picture, Maggie. We got to dogsit over Christmas and it was definitely one of the highlights. In fact Keagan can't stop talking about getting a dog. We keep saying one living thing into the family at a time. I won't tell you what he says next. Our cat is even named "Murphy." The photo is taken at one of the happiest places on earth.. . . Murphy Bay. It is one of our family's favorite places to visit.

The Millers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Millers are some of our favorite people in the world. We love them dearly. Their kids are the sweetest kids on the planet. We spend tons of time with the Millers. Their card is hip and fun. . . . our pastor put it perfectly in last week's sermon when he called them out - "the Millers kept it real in their Christmas card." They own an online card company so the expectations for their own card are high and they managed to out-do themselves. If you love this card check out their online card company - the link is:

http://mangoink.com/

The Feryns!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our dear friends who we do not get to see often enough. We became great friends with the Feryns in our first years of marriage and even worked it out to be next door neighbors. Those were some our favorite years living next door to our best friends. Their card is an "I Spy" of their year. It is so cute and creative. Ang, you hit the ball out of the park!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, I was looking at pictures today deciding which ones to frame in her nursery and came across this one. She is so beautiful and I WANT HER HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Look at this little smirk:)

We flew in late last night from Salem and spent the day organizing the nursery and our life! Our home had been hit by the Christmas tornado. Here is one project I worked on -- getting the drawers all cleaned out and liners put in. Then I folded, sorted and got all of Lucia's clothing organized. I found all of her furniture at garage sales and repainted and put new hardware on. It is a great way to have cute cheap furniture.

We had a wonderful time in Salem and Portland. We flew over Christmas afternoon and spent the last 5 days with all the McMurrays. Bridget is almost 5 years old and I've never met a child more full of life.

All four cousins making silly faces..... Santa of course visited Christmas Eve. We sang songs and each child sat on his lap. He always makes an appearance at Grampy and Grammy's house mmmmmmmmm. . ... .

The boys made a darling snow man Christmas Eve.

"All I want for Christmas is gorkle."

"Who is gorkle, is it some TV character I have not seen?" asked mom.

"You know, so we can stay under water for a long time. "

"Oh, you mean snorkel gear. " replied mom

So, Santa brought "gorkle"

Christmas Morning.

No news yet on Lucia's date to come home. We know it will be in January. But the US Embassy is closed until Wednesday January 2nd. So, hopefully we find out soon. We are so ready. Please pray we get her pink slip (maybe even by the end of this week!!) with the embassy date soon. She just keeps getting older and we miss her so much. Will post pictures of the nursery and hopeful her 6 month pictures soon, and of course if we hear anything. Thanks for all the comments they are always so encouraging and I love reading them.