Out of commision-ish.

My camera died! For no reason what so ever it died. I have some posts that i'd like to get to, but with no camera i'm at a loss. I am in the process of searching for a new camera. If any one has some good advice on this process, i'm willing to take any info in.
I could use some help. Leave me a comment and tell me what camera you have and what you love/hate about it. thanks for your help.

Gracie-moe?

This maybe old news to some at this point, but new news to others so bear with me. Blake's little sister, Jaimi, and her husband, Jeff, have been trying to adopt for the last little while. They have a little girl named Summer that they adopted 3 years ago and were up for round two. Over the holiday they found out that they were being considered for placement. But as these things go they tried not to put all their hope on it. Some work out and some don't. But alas this one was meant to be. They got a call New Year's Eve day, saying they were being requested for a meeting so that the birth mom could meet them in person. And then they found out that night they had been picked. And New Years Day they had their new little girl in their arms on their way home to meet the rest of the family. It's really neat to hear all the little details that "just seem to work out" or the tender mercies that come with adoption. Gracen is a beautiful little angel. I've only seen a few babies with so much hair, and the color is amazing. Sam suggested Moses, but Jaimi has been saving this name for a long time. But don't be too surprised to hear Sam call her Gracie-moe.

Congratulation Jaimi and Jeff and Welcome to the family, Gracen!

(thanks Hailey for letting me "borrow" the pics. my camera is on the fritz!)

Christmas 2008

Usually the holidays speed by at record pace and we run from one thing to the other and feel like we're stretching ourselves pretty thin. Christmas eve generally is a very enjoyable gathering of family (both sides--since we can't break from either tradition) and of course the different meals and activities with both, by the time we get home to our bed it's really late and the boys are exhausted. This year was slightly different.

Mom and Dad Young went up to Portland, OR. to visit Blake's brother and his family for a few days just before Christmas. The plan was for them to get home 3 days before Christmas. But alas, mother nature had other plans. The weather in the north west coast was horrible and kept grounding flight after flight after flight. Some people were staying at the airport for 2-3 days, since they were all anxious to get home to family for the holidays. Thankfully, Mom and Dad were able to spend Christmas with Nate and Anne and their family, rather than being stuck somewhere in the middle of nowhere with no family. It was an opportunity that maybe wouldn't be taken otherwise.

With this change of plans we were able to do Christmas eve with my family. With the usual dinner and nativity and then we were able to talk with my mom and dad over the internet with the video cam and everything. Then Christmas day, just us and the boys (the boys got to enjoy their toys right away). It was quiet and relaxing and really nice. As much as we missed mom and dad and were truly grateful for their safe return it was nice not to feel the rush. PLUS the boys got to spread out Christmas and celebrate it twice. We got together with the Young family Saturday night (the 27th) and did the usual Christmas eve festivities and then came back Sunday afternoon and opened up all the Christmas presents that were exchanged there. It was nice to be able to enjoy each of the events un-rushed and at a more relaxing state.

I know that come next year when the rush of the season approaches i will be grateful that i have so many options to chose from. Cause that means that i have all my family around to spend the time and season with.