This Christmas was sure different from last year. For one, Quinn didn't sleep through it all. We also weren't living out of boxes in a friend's duplex. 

It was nice to decorate our house and have our own mini Christmas morning with Quinn. I wrapped her presents in gift bags because she likes pulling things out of bags. On Saturday we headed to Eugene for an early Christmas with the Gowins side. Sunday we visited some relatives and saw The Hobbit while my dad kindly babysat. Christmas Eve was with the Cunningham side. We went to church, cooked up a tasty meal, and played tons of "telephone pictionary". We had Christmas morning at my parents' house too. Quinn spent the whole time trying to get to the stairs. She didn't care about presents much but she sure enjoyed having people help her crawl up the stairs over and over. We had Christmas dinner with some more of Jonathan's relatives. It was so nice to have a break from responsibilities and watch Quinn play with so many loving people.

Jonathan was able to take a lot of time off so we were able to relax, have lots of family coffee dates, spend time with friends, and get some work done around the house these past couple weeks. Many treasured moments.

And now it's a new year! What a year it has been. After a wild 2011, we declared 2012 the year to put down some roots and settle in. This afternoon, over cannoli and coffee, Jonathan and I went through a list of 20 questions and reflected on this past year. We are both in awe of all the beautiful discoveries and reasons to be thankful to God. New friends that have become very dear. Old friends that we thoroughly enjoy. The blessing of like-minded, kind neighbors. Watching surprise blooms spring up in our yard planted by previous owners. Seeing the sunlight cycles change with the seasons through our dining room window. A healthy, happy daughter. Healthy, happy family members. Lots of personal growth for us both. We've declared 2013 the year of prayer. Here we go!