Christmas Un-Wrap

Another Christmas season has ended and a New Year is upon us. Two thousand seven has started like most years; taking down the Christmas Lights, sharing holiday stories with co-workers, and trying to figure out some what of a routine, which seems to be a little tougher to do with a 11 week old baby boy. :)
We had a wonderful time with all the family this holiday season. Emily, Alex and I were able to spend a full week in Ely, Nevada with my parents, now called Grandma and Grandpa, along with Auntie Michelle, Uncle Jed, and Auntie Cass. A big family affair with a new smiling addition,lots of good food, loud competitive games, colorful puzzles, ice cold fishing, pure white snowball fights, and laughs and memories to last a lifetime. It is amazing how much you can pack into a week when you don't have to go to work. Grandma and Grandpa enjoyed every minute with their new grandson, Alex; and I think he did as well. There was quite a lot of the baby talk echoing throughout the house and only half of that was from Alex. New experiences everyday for Alex and with some fresh new snow after Christmas, Alex experienced how terrifyingly cold snow is and everyone's hands after being outside.
Time with family didn't end there, when we returned to Phoenix Emily's brother Lloyd was in town. We had a nice outdoor BBQ with family and friends on New Years Day. Can you believe it...outdoors on January 1st? It was a light jacket evening :) The week continued with a big family dinner and Christmas celebration. Emily's nieces (Maggie, Eva, & Lucy) are all very active and full of energy, I don't know how Megan and Walter keep up with them all. Of course, Eva is infatuated with Alexander Paul, as she calls him. The visit with Lloyd went rather fast, but in the short time I think he finally figured out the best way to hold Alex. Support his head! Watch his head! He can't hold his head up! Be careful! Aaaahhhh.. I remember hearing those. Emily's parents (Nana & Papa) are enjoying their first grandson, quite a change since they already having three granddaughters and another one scheduled to arrive April'ish.
I hope your holiday season was filled with love and I pray that throughout this year we continue to remember the blessings that God has given us. The biggest blessing of all, his son, Jesus Christ.

'06 Christmas Letter

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
We pray that this finds you well and enjoying this glorious time of year. Our intention was to get our letter out before Christmas, but we just couldn’t get it together. Oops! This past year God has continued to watch over us and bless us in more ways then we can count. We have so much to be thankful for.
The start of the year was met with the anticipated plus sign. Eight months and eleven days after that sign, God blessed us with a healthy, happy baby boy. Alexander Paul was born on October 24th – a most glorious day! He weighed 7 lbs 2 oz and was 21inches long. Our lives will never be the same and we are thrilled! Emily has been sleep deprived ever since, but nothing compares to finally becoming a mother. She is adjusting well and enjoying every precious moment with Alex. Jeremy loves being a dad and is very good at it. He changes diapers and plays with Alex all the time. Alex is the first grandchild on Jeremy’s side and the first grandson on Emily’s side, so ALL of the family is having a fabulous time. Jeremy’s parents were able to come and visit us for a week. Ok, let’s be serious, they just came to see Alex. We are getting used to being less interesting now that we have a babyJ.
The 2006 year started off with what is probably going to be an annual event, archery javelina hunting. It was Jeremy’s first archery hunt. Although it was unsuccessful, he had a wonderful time and got lots of practice. This upcoming year brings another chance for success. On this hunt he will be joined by his dad and long time hunting partner, Jeff. For some odd reason Emily is actually hoping Jeremy brings home one of those ugly pigs. Jeremy is excited to go on a spring turkey hunt in May. When he is not having fun trekking around God’s creation, Jeremy still goes to work at Thomson NETg. In June, he accepted a new position as a Resource Supervisor. He doesn’t get to create graphics as much as he used to, which is a big adjustment, but he is enjoying the new challenges and this is a great learning experience.
Emily continues her career in massage therapy. She took some time off around Alex’s birth, but has recently started working again a few days a week. She still works for a chiropractor in Scottsdale, but prefers to visit her personal clients in their homes. But now she finally gets to do what she has always dreamed of – being a mother!
God’s guidance is evident all around. He has placed us in a wonderful church where we feel a perfect fit. For over a year now we have been attending Moon Valley Bible church. We host a weekly home fellowship group and have been involved in the men’s and women’s ministries.
This upcoming February, we will be celebrating our 3rd anniversary. Its amazing that three years have gone by already; we are truly blessed. This upcoming year we look forward to growing closer together and learning all the ins and outs of our new life long jobs as parents.
This Christmas was spent in Ely, Nevada with Jeremy’s family. We had the best time and Alex was spoiled by all the attention from his aunts and grandparents! Christmas will get more exciting each year now that we have Alex.
We hope that your holidays were spent with loved ones and that the New Year brings prosperity and joy! May God bless you and your families!