2006 is ending with a *BANG!* for us. December started with a huge project for Nathan- the construction of his workshop. And while it was built in one day, it should take Nathan another month or two to get all his tools and our gardening stuff out there and organized. Shutter-Happy was just as busy as could be. Jenny was making constant phone calls to last-minute portrait schedulers. And I was in constant motion of p's- photographing, proofing, presenting, and printing.

Other than those two major things filling up our December, we also attended the Christmas parade; had a blast in the "snow", riding in carriage rides, watching the entertainment, and eating delicious food at the Christmas events along Main Street; Nathan and I got all dressed up and had a great time at the Rackspace Christmas party; we helped Mary celebrate her 3rd birthday; I attended the Hill Country Women in Business' Christmas party; and Ben and I joined the YMCA and started classes.

And then came the magical weekend... It all started with seeing The Polar Express in 3D at the Imax and going to lunch at The Rainforest Cafe with Paula, Morgan, Erica and Madison. The movie was fantastic; the kids were so well behaved; we all had such a wonderful time! Then we spent Saturday with Larry, Debbie, and Jenny in town. We drove down to Orange Grove on Sunday for Christmas Eve to spend time with my family. Grandma did her best once again to stuff us full! And the kids were thrilled with their gifts to each other and from Santa and played so well together! The surprises Christmas morning weren't really surprises, but Ben was nonetheless ecstatic about his new remote controlled train set! And after a few hours of play, he was finally ready for our last stop- a relaxing afternoon at Nathan's grandparents house for Christmas dinner.

Nathan and I couldn't have asked for better gifts- we bought new kitchen stuff for each other and were showered with money and Home Depot gift cards from family (time to start on that much-awaited deck!). And Ben is still in heaven, playing with his gifts. Thank you all SO much for making this "The best Christmas EVER!" (according to Ben). We hope you all also had a magical Christmas and are looking forward to a new year, a new year that will be filled with lots of joy, fun, and wonderful surprises! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thoughts for the Day from my aerobics class:

When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced.
When you die, may you rejoice and the world cry.

How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were?

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

Do you let yesterday use up too much of today?