My good friend, Kristen, offered to throw a baby shower for me. I was lucky enough to have so many friends and my sister help out--my friend, Elaine, Kathy, and sister Naomi. The really special part about this shower was that it was held at the same location as our wedding reception--at Kristen's parents' house, a truly beautiful and breathtaking location!

It was a very special time with family and close friends surrounding me and this little bundle of joy. Everything looked so elegant, classy, and beautiful. The brunch was delicious and cake and strawberries were yummy! I do remember being so hungry and getting second helpings of the food while Elaine was trying to clear my plate...I said, not yet honey!

So many special friends, whom I hadn't seen in a long time came. My mother-in-law made the trip down, my niece, and my mom were all there. The one person missing was my sister from Florida.

We received lots of goodies for the baby...a lot of cute, adorable little girl clothes. I know how fun it is to shop for little baby girls. I must confess that for a while I was starting to become obsessed with it, too!

Thank you to everyone for making this day so special!

Our dear friends Thomas & Esther finally came and visited us! They were our neighbors, who quickly became close friends, on Dayton Avenue. When we were around for Thanksgiving, we were able to get a short visit with them, but their two little munchkins were at their Oma and Opa's house; so we missed them by a mere few minutes.

It felt so good to reconnect with them since it had been quite some time since we were really able to catch up and have some quality time together. Most of all, it was so nice to be able to get to know little Malcolm and see all the changes in Emmy.

I hope they come back soon, and look forward to more times hanging out again!

Kevin O'Connor was a close friend of RT's. He was one of our groomsmen in our wedding. Kevin and RT go way back. They were roommates and colleagues when they worked with the US Forest service on the owl crew. They also shared a few classes and professors when they were taking their graduate courses. Kevin got hired on with Fish & Game first, and not long afterwards, RT landed a full-time, permanent position as well.

It was such shocking and devastating news when we heard about the helicopter crash on January 5. The other two biologists, Clu and Tom, were colleagues that RT knew as well. My heart aches for their wives, children, and family. Nothing can prepare them for their unexpected death, and nothing can alleviate their pain and sorrow. I know these men will be remembered for many things that they have contributed in both their personal and professional lives.

The time has come to say farewell to lil' ol' T Scoop...[sigh]. When we first bought the Mini Cooper back in 2005, we had many friends who chirped, "What are you going to do when you have a baby? How are you going to fit a car seat in there?" We were trying to conceive back then and were convinced that we would still be able to manage a car seat regardless of the tight space. In fact, just to prove people wrong, we were bound and determined to get that car seat in there. Little did we know that we would enjoy the Cooper for a good 5 years before we actually had to rethink our decision of car seats and stroller space.

We put the Cooper up for sale, and it didn't take long for her to get snatched up! I'm a little sad to see her go, but know that it's better for my back (the seats are not the most comfortable for traveling longer distances) and it'll give us more space and convenience for car seats, strollers, luggage, and all that baby gear.She was a great car and so awesome to handle...maybe some day we'll meet again...

We were able to travel to both sides of our family to celebrate the Christmas season. It is always a special time to be surrounded by family. It seems this year, on RT's side, we were missing a few people because of illnesses and such. On my side, we also celebrated my nephew's 1st birthday!

Thanksgiving Day was a day full of preparation and logistical manuevering--all for food. It was just my family, plus my brother-in-law's mother and my niece's friend. You'd think we prepared enough food for an army! We definitely had plenty of leftovers and lots of dishes to wash. My mom was pretty ill, even though she doesn't look like it in the photos, so we were down one set of hands. As my dad, sister, RT, and I cleaned up, we thought, "this just isn't worth it!" We need to scale it down.
When we got ready for dessert, we had gotten all the pies out. As my sister grabbed the last one out of the refrigerator, she turned and thwack! Her pumpkin cheesecake slid off of the plate and onto the floor! We all just stood there in shock and then started laughing.

I was so stuffed, I had a hard time staying asleep since I was so uncomfortable. I really didn't eat a whole lot since I have to be really careful, but I had to sample a little bit of everything!

My little nephew is just one month shy of his first birthday. He is standing and taking a couple of hesistant steps. But, boy, is he starting to get into everything. Curious Max that's for sure! My other nephew couldn't join us this year as he was with his dad's family. We missed his presence as well as my sister's, who is in Florida. Throughout the whole day, I kept thinking, it's going to be so different next year with a little one. My mom is excited to have 2 little ones for next year's Thanksgiving.

Looking at this past year, we have a lot to be thankful for. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday There's not a whole lot of commercialism associated with it--thanks to the overshadowing of Christmas sales. Thanksgiving combines my two favorite things--family and food! I have always loved this time of year as well. Too bad it always goes so fast.

"Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds."

~Theodore Roosevelt