Flying my flag of yule tide surrender.

I was so prepared.  Clark and I replaced our archaic computer this summer with something faster, sleeker and oh-so-much-prettier.  However, it meant that I lost my favorite desktop publishing software.  After some research I found myself a new one, one that would be compatible with our shiny new computer...however, I have come to find this week that it is not so compatible with our printer.  Aye, there's the rub.  My Christmas cards were finished.  They just needed to be printed and shipped off.  My goal was to finish them before Thanksgiving because time to do them later just does not exist.  The last of our Thanksgiving guests have left and I am on to the next BIG thing (which will be all revealed in a week and a half...no time now, but it involves me, no kids and one trans Atlantic flight.)  I don't have time to figure out this printing problem so I am throwing my hands up in Yule Tide surrender.  Here is the cop out, I am simply posting my Christmas card on my blog.  Most of the people who would get it read my blog anyway, plus it saves me on postage, isn't that nice?
I am so sorry that I won't be sending you something jolly to open in the mail.  It would have come in a happy looking envelope.  If you feel so inclined, print it out yourself, then run it out to your mailbox.  That would make me happy.

(You see, it continues to be so frustrating that I have to re-post what it actually says on it...) 

As the ebb and flow of our family's life goes, we have had a relatively quiet 2009.  We have had no moves, no births, not even a broken bone to report.  Clark's deployment schedule has been very busy this year so we have spent every moment we can together.  And as our year is drawing to a close, and the activities are picking up speed we thought we would take a moment to slow down, reflect and share what each of us has been most grateful for in 2009.

HALEY - 8 years old

Getting my own room.  Turning 8 and getting baptized.  School (and the library!) Being in a play this summer with my sister.  Earning money for my own Nintendo DS.

ABIGAIL - 6 years old

Being in 1st grade.  Losing my first (and second) tooth.  Playing with Aunts and Uncles.  Going on trips with my family.  Reading.

MIA - 4 years old

Going to preschool at the same school as my sisters.  Learning my ABC's and how to read.  My sisters.  Going on my Dad's boat.  Swim lessons.

HAZEL - 19  months old

Being an awesome sleeper.  My fuzzy, pink blanket.  Turning 1.  Getting lots and lots of teeth.  Being adored by three older sisters.

EMILY - one year older than last year

A healthy family.  Happy kids.  Time together. Living in a beautiful place.  Finishing Christmas cards before December 25.

CLARK - one year older than Emily

Four adorable and funny girls. One incredibly talented and supportive wife.  Many good friends. Every homecoming.  My sanity.

Enjoy friends, and Happy Holidays!!