Photo Op

One day it was snowing outside and Brian decided we should get out our new camera and take some photos.

Here are some of the results:




- Krista

Happy Birthday Rocket!

Rocket officially turned one year old this past weekend! It's hard to believe we've had her for nearly a year already. She's definitely less work than she was when we first got her, but I wouldn't say she has quite grown up yet!

We spoiled her for her birthday, a puppy only turns one once, right? Below she's loving her new bird stuffed animal. And by loving I mean tearing it to pieces.


- Krista

Amsterdam's Winter Blast

In case you haven't been following the weather across Europe, it's been really cold here - for Amsterdam standards, at least.

It all started in Berlin - there was snow, and lots of it. Our train was rerouted due to the massive amounts of snow in Germany, and the moment we got back, freezing levels dropped in Amsterdam and it started snowing like crazy.

Snow is not a normal thing in Amsterdam - being on the coast, it usually stays pretty mild all year round (hence why the summers rarely get above 75 degrees Fahrenheit).

So it's quite unusual that for the past week and a half or so the ground has been covered in snow and ice. This has made it extremely hard to walk/bike, and of course we don't have a choice since we don't own a car here. Brian has still biked to work nearly every day though (what a trooper!), and I have yet to fall on the icy sidewalks, though there have been many close calls.

In one way it's been pretty fun to have our own little winter wonderland for a little while, though I think we'll both be relieved when we can actually go outside again without having to bundle up like we're going to the mountain (I am definitely getting sick of my puffy coat, my uniform for the past two weeks). Our dog will sure miss it though! Who knew Beagles loved the snow so much?

Here are a few pictures from the past week:

This canal in the center of the city is completely frozen - we even saw some young guys playing soccer out on the ice the other day (risky!)

Bundled up in my coat and boots

Bikes covered in snow

Rocket enjoying the snow

- Krista

New Year's in Berlin

We didn't have any New Year's plans, so when our friends Michelle and Jesse said they were going to Berlin for a few days, we decided to tag along.

We stayed in an apartment for two nights with them and their friends John and Katie who are currently living in Germany. Michelle was a great tour guide (apparently the rest of us aren't very good planners), and we had fun exploring the city during the two days we were there. On New Year's Eve, we joined over a million other people to brave the snow and watch some famous Berlin fireworks.

The trip was a success, although the train ride back wasn't the highlight of our lives - it took 12 hours instead of the 6 it was supposed to (who knew trains could be delayed because of snow?), and neither of us were feeling great from the night before. But we made it back, and were happy to get home and see our animals!

Here are a few pictures from the trip:

From left to right: me, Brian, Jesse, Michelle, John, Katie

Brian and I on New Year's Eve

Happy New Year!

- Krista

Christmas Day

We spent Christmas Day lounging around playing games, drinking mimosas and eating (and opening presents, of course) at my parents' house. It was sunny and incredibly windy so we didn't get outside at all, but we had a great time relaxing nonetheless.

There were way too many pictures from the day (Brian got me a new camera for Christmas...) so I've just posted a few random ones:

Presents!

Brian and Kena

Everyone got toys for Christmas! Todd showing my Mom how to shoot a Nerf gun

Storytime with Jessy and Lily

My Dad and Wyatt playing with Wyatt's new Star Wars force thingamajig

Braxon & Lily doing an art project

Merry Christmas!

- Krista

Christmas Eve at Todd & Jessy's

We spent Christmas Eve at Todd & Jessy's as has been the tradition for the past five years or so. We ate jambalaya, had lots of holiday treats, and played games until after the kids went to bed.

Next up: Christmas day!

A few pictures first:

My Dad and Taj having fun

My Mom and Lily

Brian and Taj

- Krista

Snowboarding at Timberline

Brian and I hadn't been snowboarding since our trip last year to Chamonix, so we were really excited when it worked out to go up to the mountain this year on our U.S. visit.

We went up on Christmas Eve with my parents, and it ended up being an absolutely perfect day - clear skies, nice snow, and nobody at the mountain. And I'd never been to Timberline before - it's an amazing place for snowboarders!

We have tons of photos and videos (thanks to Brian) from the day, but here are a few of the highlights:

My Dad and I on the mountain - not such a bad day, huh?

Brian bundled up

My Dad in front of crystal clear skies

My Mom and I (no, we didn't plan to dress like twins...)

- Krista

Rick, Julie & Sarah Come to Visit

Brian's Dad, Julie & Sarah came up from Ashland to visit us for a few days a week before Christmas. It was really nice to see them around Christmas, especially since we didn't make it down their way last December due to the terrible weather (what was it called again, Winter Blast 2008?).

Anyway, for some reason we didn't get to take a lot of pictures during their visit, but here are a few good ones from our early Christmas together:

Sarah after opening presents

Rick and Julie hanging out with us

- Krista