More New Year

Happy New Year

We spent New Year's at the cabin this year for the first time in many years. It was a dream come true to me (maybe a little less so for grandma Barbara, but she was still a trouper). We skated and skated and skated on the rink that the neighbor plowed and flooded. We sat by the fire and read and read and read. Dad made an unbelievable meal of prime rib and shrimp on the Eve and we ate and ate and ate.  Happy New Year indeed. 

Christmas Card

 

We wish you a Merry Christmas; we wish you a meaningful year.  'Tis the season they say, but maybe more importantly 'tis the life. We have high hopes for this year - we bet you do as well. We want to have a real impact. Run a race (not win). Take a big risk. Tell a good story. Make a new friend. Build a lasting bridge. Keep the faith alive. Become peacemakers. Share the heavy loads. Enjoy the precious moments. Count the blessings (instead of sheep). Close an important chapter. Start an exciting one. Maybe even save a life (you just never know).  But most of all, we'll make it count by cherishing each breath, by saying thank you for every day and especially by making sure you know how grateful we are for all of you.

Merry Christmas & A Blessed New Year.

Grandpa's Train

When Grandma sold her house, the Christmas train set that Grandpa Tom brought home many years ago made the trip to Minnesota.  Dad and the kids set it up one night under the tree.  We always miss him at the holidays, but this made a fun part of him still feel present. 

Christmas Baking

I made a promise to focus more on presence than presents this year at Christmas.  The first task was trying our hands at some real Christmas baking. Here's a shot of the action. 

 If I'm honest the baking was really fun - but the cookies were not great.  Next year!

Oh Christmas Tree!

Weird pictures, great night. 

rd