Friends

Hope loves her friends!

She just lights up when she sees other children. And, I happen to know, that Hope will be dear friends with the two girls I'm about to mention for years to come. We have very special family friends who we simply don't see often enough. But, when we are together, it is as if no time has passed at all. We were lucky over these past couple of weeks to get together with a few of these families.

On the 14th we met our good friends Wendy, Larry, and Hannah for dinner and had a great time catching up with them. Hope and Hannah colored on the placemats, laughed and giggled across the table, shared their dinner, and exchanged a couple of gifts. Among them was this darling little umbrella that will no doubt get some good use this spring.

How do you work this thing?

OK. I think I've got it.

Well, maybe Daddy can help me a bit.

THANK YOU for meeting us and THANK YOU so much for the gifts. We can't wait to see you again soon. P.S. I think Hope especially liked the hugs. :)

Another family we love came to see us on the 29th. We were supposed to see them Christmas day, but due to my fun flu that was a "no go." So, Brad, Tricia, and Lauren were so gracious and drove to town to spend the afternoon and have dinner with us on Saturday. You wouldn't believe the activity in this house. We all spent the afternoon just playing. Ron and Brad enjoyed some Wii golf and tennis. Tricia and I also tried a little tennis...far cry from our high school doubles skills, but a good time just the same. :) And then we have Lauren and Hope. Boy did they have a good time! I think Hope giggled all afternoon! Some of the most fun was had when Lauren taught Hope to play "Ring Around the Rosie." Ready for a chuckle?

The girls also exchanged gifts. THANK YOU so much for the doll and stroller! Hope walks her babies from one end of the house to the other, pausing every so often to offer a bottle and to reposition the blanket on the baby properly before resuming her stroll. Hope also loves her new book. We've "scratched and sniffed" every night since you were here. :)

"OK - If we just sit still for a second, maybe we can get to those gifts."

"Ready? GO!"

Hope loved sitting with Lauren.

Oops - tipped over.

Favorite of the night ~

Now we've come to New Year's Eve. Hope put on quite a show. She was so excited when our party guests (Keri and Dean) came to the door that afternoon. They had visited us briefly on the 26th as they were headed out of town. I don't know if Hope remembered them, but she was sure happy they were here. She and Keri especially bonded over some reading time. And, of course we can't forget the yummy chicken and soup Hope served up with her new kitchen utensils. Hope went to bed at 7:00 as usual while the rest of us had a great evening playing games, watching the ball drop, and toasting the new year. I think we finally called it a night at about 2:00 or so. It was sure tough to wake up with Hope at her normal hour...5:30! Luckily, she had some warm milk and slept again until a little after 7 so we were able to get a couple more hours of rest. Thank you so much for making the trip up to be with us. And, BTW Dean...I wanted to remind you that I'm putting in a pre-order for those mini cutout cookies for next year. :)

Wii Bowling ~ Yes, Hope does have a mini "me/Wii" character! It's pretty darn cute! ;)

Just one more roll before bed? I love the expressions here!

Pre-Bedtime Stories with Keri ~


Here are a couple of shots from New Year's Day.

Hope's Breakfast Prayers ~

So Pretty Under the Tree ~

Hope & Ella ~ SWEET ~

We have such special friends. We just want to say again...thank you for everything. We're wishing you all the best that life has to offer in 2008. May you have a year blessed with joy and love.

Beth, Ron, & Hope

P.S. We hope you feel better soon Grandma!