More news

Okay, I just realized that after a great, two-week visit from Grandpa and Grandma Rudd, we have exactly zero pictures! Clearly I'm not cut out for this blogging business. Their visit was so nice. Mom finished up many of my unfinished projects, Dad played at least twenty games of checkers with Emma, and they both generally helped out while I was still sick.
Todd and I were able to get away for one night alone while they were here. We went to Newport Beach and stayed at a pretty hotel off PCH. Wonderful. Thank you, Mom and Dad!
In other news, Todd's company had lay-offs last week and we got the lucky number! It's the pits, but we trust that it will all work out for the best. Todd has an interview tomorrow, so cross your fingers!
I also should report that I've now had three violin lessons, and I really love learning something new. It's fun. I can play "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and a few other little ditties.

What Santa brought

We weren't the best photographers this Christmas, but here are a few. We really enjoyed our holiday together. It was nice having some friends over on Christmas Eve to make it feel a little more festive, since we didn't have any extended family around this year.
The kids, of course, were so excited. Emma survived her 'Butterscotch Pony' unmet expectations, and was happy with her scooter and other heavily advertised toys. Parker rode his Diego bike around and around the kitchen island, leaving black skid marks on the floor. Truman's marble run was the hit of the holiday with everyone.
We actually drove to the beach at Oceanside on Christmas Day in the afternoon, just to get out of the house for a bit. It was so beautiful - 70, sunny. Actually, the day remains slightly fuzzy in my memory because I was dealing with a bad sinus infection that turned into bronchitis later.
But, it was nice.

Old news

Hello! I cannot believe that I have let 40 days go by without updating this blog! I won't make a long list of my excuses, but trust me, they're good.

We had some friends over on Christmas Eve and acted out the Nativity. Truman was supposed to be a shepherd, and little, two-month old Baylee Frey was baby Jesus - until she started fussing and needed to be held. Then Truman just headed right for the manger and climbed in. It was cute. All the kids were giggling at his antics, which of course made him very pleased.

This is a video from Parker's preschool Christmas program. His teacher is Miss Michelle, and he loves school so much!