We spent the day with the Barden family for Christmas!

Brenda said this Santa used to be under the tree when she was a little girl …

Jared’s mom made this frame for us for Christmas – we LOVE it!

Jared’s mom got me these earrings for Christmas – I love these too!

Jared’s Aunt & Uncle came over for dinner – along with Cody.

The gifts that Jared’s grandparents got all of us …

We had a great Christmas day!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE –

Jared and I spent the night at his parents – right next door to us – last night after church. We woke up this morning and had the traditional sticky buns then opened our gifts.

Jared and I are giving each other Schrute this year – so no gifts opened from each other. But we did get a Christmas surprise in the form of a new video and new pictures posted of little Schrute. Jared’s parents also got us a book about great danes!

Next Christmas we are looking forward to spending it with Schrute and hopefully another new addition by that time or the anticipation of one!

MAY YOU KNOW THE JOY OF THE LORD THIS CHRISTMAS!

Here are the new pictures of “little” Schrute –

WHAT A GREAT CHRISTMAS PRESENT!

Last Friday I walked home after our snowstorm and took a few pictures on the way …

We drove to Athens Friday and spent the weekend with my parents – the pictures I posted earlier.

My dad and I took a walk around their property – some of it – and  I took some winter shots – to be posted later. After our walk my dad stopped to say hello to their dog Buddy.

Jared and I left on Monday to come back to Mansfield and happened to see Chuck hit 8000 miles!

This past Friday we had another snowstorm and the clinic closed early. Amy and I had planned on making cookies Sunday afternoon but decided to move it up to Friday afternoon since we weren’t going to be at work. *E* and I rolled and cut out the cookies while Amy manned the oven and the mixing. *A* and *M* ran around and tried to clean up flour off the floor and do the dishes for us.

We made about 8 dozen cookies – *E* had so much fun helping out. Then we cuddled up on the couch and watched Cinderella until Jared came to pick me up. The *E* family asked us to go sledding with them that night – but Jared didn’t have any snow clothes – looks like what they had didn’t fit either.

We bundled up and had a great time. Mara and Mary came over to play ROCK BAND with us and introduce us to Mary’s dog – Chai. Chai is a great dane and we wanted to see what it would be like to have a full grown dane in the house – it will be FUN!

Saturday morning I had a senior session – which I will post later – and then Jared and I ran to Wellsboro to get his license renewed.

Jared and I went to his company’s Christmas dinner at the Antler’s last night – and then today we went to church and Lamb’s Creek for brunch – a great end to good weekend!

We had a present under the tree – to future tot – from gramma and grampa.

I cannot wait to have my little tot wear those someday!

My dad is writing a book – science fiction. I have read what he has thus far and I think it’s pretty good.

Derek got ROCK BAND for Christmas so we spent time with the band!

Last weekend we had Christmas with my parents – my Gramma Trout – my brother and his wife – and my sister  and her boyfriend. My gift to the family was a family photo and some individual shots.

The whole family –

From L to R – me, Jared, Samm, Xavier, Gramma Trout, my dad, my mom, Derek, and Jessica.

It was so nice to spend time with everyone. I love you guys dearly!

Jared and I have decided to take the plunge and get a puppy – a great dane.

Our friend Mary has a blue dane who is so beautiful and even-tempered. We researched and researched what kind to get – but fell in love with Chai – Mary’s dane. Our little puppy – who Jared decided to name Schrute – will be with us January 23rd. He was born late November and is the largest of the litter. I was searching puppyfind.com and found him – we both saw him on the website and fell in love. We are so excited to have him with us as the start of our expanded family – now all we need is a baby ;).

Visit www.bigpineydanes.weebly.com to see pictures of our little guy – the breeders are calling him Moose right now.

Oh – and Schrute is the last name of a character on The Office – in case you didn’t know.

My sister’s boyfriend is South American and wanted to have some of his family’s tradition – pork with lots of yummy spices.

My FAVORITE – apple pie – my mom’s apple pie!

This year we went to Athens to spend Thanksgiving with the family – we had Jared and I – Gramma T – my cousin *C* – my sister and her boyfriend – our family friend *M* – Aunt L and her hubbie – their son *M* – their son *R* with his wife *M* and their baby *R* – Jared’s parents – and my mom and dad. It was a full, fun house. My brother and his wife spent the holiday with her family in Indiana – so they were the only ones MIA.

My uncle and his grandson.

Me with my new second cousin.

The board game that consumes most of the time spent with my cousins and brother – when he is home.

My mom and dad – :).

My sister with the new addition.

The whole family.

Four generations.

*H* family.

Jared’s parents joined the festivities.

I have so much to be thankful for – God and His mercy through Jesus – my family – my friends – my wonderful husband – wonderful in-laws – a warm house – a job – waking up in the morning and seeing another day.

My sister called me this morning with sad news. My aunt and uncle experienced a house fire last night. They have their son living with them along with their daughter – her boyfriend – and their baby boy. Everyone escaped the fire safely but they have lost everything. I am sure that they would appreciate prayers and any items that can be spared – clothing is mostly what I have in mind. My cousin’s baby will be a year old soon – I think.

Thank you so much for your prayers.

Last Saturday we went to a surprise party for Jared’s Uncle *B*.

Jared’s Aunt *M* makes the BEST cake in the world –

Little *P* went crazy with the cake – we went to college with his mom – it was nice to see them.

Jared’s cousin*Z* and his wife had a baby in August – little *C* is the first great-grandchild on the Clark side of the family.

Jared’s mom – she will be such a wonderful grandma.