When you don't have kids yet...

And you want to play with with a camera....the puppy gets a photo shoot :)

My helper

Snow, Snow, Snow

"Snow, Snow, Snow....

It won't be long before we'll all be there with Snow

Snow....I want to wash my hands, my face, my hair with Snow!"

Okay not really...but I do so love that song from "White Christmas".

What a perfectly lovely snow day it is today (since I am snuggled inside and not driving in it!) Although I am working from home and not entirely playing...it has been wonderful to finish Christmas cards, work on wrapping presents, learn some about my camera, and play with my guys (Nick and Max) in between the working.

Santa came early this year

One of the insurance companies that we work with had a 4th quarter contest. If The Annuity Source gals and I won this contest (read: bonus money), Nicholas and I made a deal that I could get the fancy new camera that I have been dreaming of. I am happy to report that we WON!

So I am now the proud owner of this little beauty!!!

It is so gorgeous I can hardly stand it! I am a complete amateur and have no clue what many of the gadgets and buttons do....but I'll learn right?! I have a lot of reading and practicing to do. Happy shooting!

Obsessed with...

This piano music (okay...you got me, I'm also obsessed with Edward and the books too...) but this lullaby is just so soothing. I've been listening to it all night, which is saying a lot since typically the only music played for me during the month of December is Christmas music...

Max's Latest...

Favorite napping spot...

Annuity Source Christmas Party!

This year's Christmas party was held at the fabulous, amazing, beautiful and peaceful Suncadia...and let me just say, I am in love with it! It was the most perfect Winter Wonderland I could have dreamed up...the lodge where we stayed was so cozy and Margo's house was...well, incredible!! It was such a fun night filled with yummy food, delicious cocktails and wine, the traditional ornament exchange, and of course some late night love confessing (that's cool to do that with your boss right?!) But it's only because she is so fantastic! I love me some winter and especially some snow! The gals who I spend my days with!

Did you know...

That a snowflake falls at a speed of 3.1 miles per hour.

True story.

Seems like appropriate knowledge with the weather we've been having!

So that thing I wrote....

About the potty training...

Not so much.

A bit disappointed...

I decided to use Kodakgallery for our Christmas cards this year, and I am a bit sad to say they didn't turn out nearly as cute as I had expected them to. We used a picture from the wedding that when printed through Kodak turned out really dark. Wah. Nick says they still look good, I beg to differ.
But....they will still be sent regardless, so you be the judge!

Our little genius....

What a weekend!!

So I'm officially in LOVE with our puppy!! He is just the sweetest, cuddliest, smartest little thing...he is amazing. Seriously, kind of almost potty trained! On our way back from picking him up in Bellingham, we stopped in Samish Island at Auntie and Peter's for a delicious dinner of curry squash soup and fresh crab salad....yum!

Now I really need the fancy camera I dream of...hard to get shots of moving objects with my little digital...but here is little Mr. Ruffers in all his glory!

All set!

Mom came this weekend and brought us the stocking she made for us for Christmas!! I absolutley LOVE them...Max gets the cutie smaller one in the middle!

Dear Mom,

Your Porch Wine has gotten even better! We enjoyed our last bottle tonight....delicious!! Such a talented mama...

Thanks for sharing!
Love,

C&N

Happiness Overload

I feel like my happiness meter is going to explode!


Just got back from choir rehearsal for our concert this Sunday when we perform Handel's Messiah. I know I've said it before, but I will say it again...it is, hands down, the most amazing music I have ever heard, and probably will ever hear. To perform this piece each year, to know the music so well, to watch George our conductor so full of passion and love for the music, to sing about the story of Christ...I can never make it through a concert, let alone a rehearsal, without crying. It touches my heart like nothing else.

So with the Christmas decorating, the Messiah, mom coming for the weekend, and a soon-to-be arrival of a puppy in our household I am feeling like I might burst with happiness! My cup runneth over...