Pictures

The boys with the Deli Planet guy. Downtown Montreal is connected by a vast underground system of tunnels. There is a huge food court just next to the train station where DP guy stands each day. Grady noticed, and proclaimed to all within 10 feet of us, that he does in fact have a pee pee "just like me."

Conner at school for his Thanksgiving presentation.

We built a pilgrim village together.

Conner and Grady in the lobby waiting to get back on the road home from Montreal.


Our stop at the Christmas tree farm in Vermont.

Outside the VTBC where my teddy was admitted to the Teddy Bear Infirmary. Diagnosis: limbs detached from torso.

With the Bellman.

Cheers! We've always said that Conner needs to have a REALLY good job as he enjoys the finer things. The Executive Lounge was one of Conner's favorite things about our time in Canada. He loved going in and having the attendant serve him a soda as he watched a show on the plasma in a cushy chair.

Happy Christmas Season

Wow. I love this time of year - everything about it - so I'm glad that Thanksgiving was a bit early this year making this season that much longer. What a lot we all have to be thankful for. As I drove home from Home Depot today I was struck by the notion that we are so blessed. Is there anything you are in need of that you wouldn't be able to survive without? You know, food, clothing - the necessities of life. Then think about the abundance you have been given over and above.

Mohammed Suni is our "extended" family in Ethiopia, thanks to Compassion International. We've known Mohammed for 7 years and he sends letters every few months telling of his strides in school and ends each letter letting us know that he is praying for our family. Last year he wrote that he used the money given at Christmas time for a blanket for his mother, who is sick, a bucket, and food.

Who among us wouldn't give all we've been given to ensure the ones we love the most have what they need? Furthermore, we extend ourselves to make Christmas extra special. Conner said that he wants "1,000 presents" on Christmas morning. When I explained that he may be a bit disappointed he quickly responded that the most important thing about Christmas is that Jesus was born. Phew. Just when I thought listening was a lost art.

So, this Christmas season, in between the shopping, parties, and travel, remember that we are truely blessed by a God who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. We are able to see the simplest in what is being done for those through CI in Ethiopia and other countries in need or a child's ability to see through the commercialism to the true meaning of this season...then try to fathom what it is we don't see.

Wallpaper is Evil!

I've been seriously out of the loop for the last week and a half as I've been taking down the wallpaper in the boys' room. Why did you do this the week before Thanksgiving, you ask? Because I am a glutton for punishment and work best under pressure. So, I finished removing the last of the blasted birdhouse wallpaper this morning. What a sense of accomplishment. Now I need to sand, patch, and paint. This all pales in comparison to the job that is now behind me. I'll post some photos once it is complete. Think superheros.

Conner FINALLY lost his first tooth. However, the adult tooth has begun to grow in behind the baby tooth so it really doesn't have as great a "lost tooth" impact. Oh well...this is the first of many more.

We had our first snow this morning - thus the photo up top. Very exciting. This past weekend, we got the whole family outfitted with skis, boots, etc. at the annual ski swap. Now all I have to do is get the boots and bindings fitted and we can hit the slopes. I'm fairly certain Conner will do well, it's Grady that is the wild card. He does not like to be cold. I'm planning on hitting the slopes with Grady at a local hill, Pat's Peak, for morning skiing. This should be a nice activity for us to do together during the long winter.

So that's us in a nutshell. We're off to Montreal this weekend. On our way, we'll be visiting the Vermont Teddy Bear Company so that a teddy bear of ours can visit the infirmary...his legs have mysteriously become detached from the rest of his body. We will also be cutting down the Johnson Family Christmas Tree on our way back through Vermont on Sunday. Sadly, we won't be making the annual trip to Bethlehem - we go there every year to cut down our tree - so Vermont will have to do. I'm quite sure we'll be able to find something in the great north woods!

Halloween, take two.

Here's Conner, and a bunch of our neighbors, before they ventured out for the big night.

My Girls!

Here I am at my reunion with my most precious of friends. We are scattered about the country...California, South Carolina, Maryland, and, of course, New Hampshire. Who would have thought that all of that distance and time could not change a thing. I love and miss them dearly. Never has the phrase, "Love ya, miss ya, mean it" ever been more true. The weekend was WAY too short.

Halloween, take one.

As soon as I get a picture of Conner from our friends, I'll be sure to post it. He got dressed so quickly and ran next door to play that I totally missed the photo op. On the other hand, Grady was with me all day so I had may opportunities to snap away. Conner and Grady were Power Rangers - the red costume (worn by our neighbor's son) is what Conner's costume looked like. They had a great time Trick-or-Treating and we have way too much candy to prove it.