Christmas 2006 (New Years) at my Folks

Atticus took 3 steps on his own toward Brad...He isn't really walking yet but we had fun helping him fearlessly practice back and forth between us. Genius Boy, that's right.

With Grandpa Gary...

With Grandma Susan...

Not so happy about being bundled up, held by uncle Jon...

Kissing Aunt Bekah..


Learning to be gentle with his brand-new cousin Lilly and Aunt Lindsey...

Christmas 2006 - Part 2

With Great-Uncle Rick and Great Aunt Kay at the Johannsen Family Christmas -- a wild and competitive affair in which I came away with a boatload of fascinating treasure and a full tin of that dresser change we all collect -- I am an oven mitt-scarf-and teeth maven -- sorry, Tom -- you were SO close. (p.s.Think twice before taking a scuffle with Diana...she has the aggression and the power, people (-:)

Beware: If this is what being married to these dog-crazy Johannsens does to you after a few years, I will need to re-double my invisible Boston-Terrier Resistance Rays. Soon Brian will be barking at each piece of food in order to gain the upper hand before eating it.

With Grandpa Tom early in the morning...

Playing with Grandma Nancy...

Having Daddy read him one of his new books, Goodnight, Gorilla, (with a reading teacher for one Grandma and a librarian for the other, his book-adoring mother couldn't be happier with Atticus' growing collection of stories).


Aunt Kara, our resident photographer...expecting Atticus' second "First" cousin...Next Christmas will be even more kid-fun!!


Being held be Great-Grandma Trellis on Christmas Morning...

Atticus' First Christmas

We spent the first part of our Christmas vacation at the Johannsens down in Altoona. Grandma Nancy couldn't wait until Christmas for Atticus to open his first present. He loves paper so much, and when he discovered there were toys in the boxes he even was excited to get the tops open. Then Christmas morning we all woke up early and opened our Stocking presents before Kara and Brian came at lunchtime. This year Atticus and I had our own special Johannsen Family stockings added to the mantel. This had to be my favorite visit down there yet --










Atticus and the dogs all loved each other -- Our Boston, Victor; Tom & Nancy's Boston, Gizmo; and Brian & Kara's Brutus...

Atticus' First Snow

Yesterday we had big eyelash catching snowfall. Atticus and I took a walk in the splendor. He fell asleep 10 minutes in not knowing what to make of the flurry, furry whiteness and his mother's giddy enthusiasiam.

December has been a breath-catching whirlwind this year, but we've just about made it to our holiday: tonight we leave for Brad's folks and then on to my parents later next week. A whole week with my two favorite boys and families I just love so much it hurts. And the house will stay clean and the sink empty and all Victor's fur will be in our car and (sorry!) in our parents' houses. I am so thankful for Christ sustaining me with very little time for contemplation or rest. I am weary but "whole".

This year my favorite Christmas verse has been even more tangible with my dear baby boy in our midst. Emmanuel, God with us: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

Merry Christmas all you dear people!

Cozy Stripe Boy

Atticus Opening His First Advent Calendar

Recovering with My Momma

So this weekend Brad and I were hit by the Ick Plague -- the apprently ubiquitous stomach flu that's been making its rounds. I had the double honor of being hit by (what they think was) a kidney stone attack simultaneously. We spent the entire last Friday in the clinic and hospital getting tests to find out what I had -- They thought appendicitis or gall bladder problems or even cysts, but though I am much recovered from the flu, they still haven't definitively found out if it is a kidney stone still making its way out. Tonight I have another CT scan to make sure. Thanks to the help of the Millers and Gollihers and my mom coming all the way up to help, Brad, Atticus and I made it through the weekend. We are so grateful to you all.

Shorn!

The Lilly Ackland Debut

Lilly Catherine Ackland enters the scene Saturday November 11th. My mom and sister were down visiting Aaron and Lindsey in St.Louis for the Monty Python play Spam-a-lot. Friday night the girls attended the show. Later that night, Lindsey went into labor and the next morning Lilly arrives. Now Brad and I are an Uncle and Aunt and Atticus has his first "First Cousin". Congratulations to my brother and sister-in-law!! We already love Lilly and are jumping on our toes to meet her at New Years!!!