Three Girl Scouts

Ellen, Mary, and Garrett attended a TeenPact class at the Capitol building last month. As part of their tour, they found the bust of Juliette Gordon Lowe, founder of the Girl Scouts.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Here's the official Christmas Eve 2008 photo, on our way to Mass. John did NOT want to be in the picture. He's not fond of anything with a collar, so he was convinced he looked "ridiculous". I think Ellen had a pretty good hold on him, and my double-flash camera tricked him into smiling just in time for the actual picture-taking. Merry Christmas from us to you . . . we pray that your 2009 is full of blessings.

So Long, Farewell . . .

Just before Christmas, we had to say "See ya later," to our sweet, beautiful, fun, loving, generous friend, Renee Johnson. We met Renee at church. She was a student at the University, a temporary transplant from Texas and we quickly made her part of our family. Ellen, Mary and John consider Renee an older sibling and we have been so blessed to have her around for about half of 2008. As a sweet nun once said, "Friends of Jesus never say 'Goodbye.'" So on December 18, we enjoyed one of Renee's favorite dishes - taco ring - (did I even feed you dessert, Renee?) sent her on her way, packed to the ceiling with all her belongings and sadly said, "See you later." And we will. Texas isn't that far away. Neither is the phone. We love you, Renee.

He's making a list . . .

Ellen, Mary and John made their requests to Santa on Saturday. Santa asked Ellen if she wants a boyfriend for Christmas. Thankfully, she said, "No." John asked for a bow and arrow, Mary asked for a blinky-eyes baby doll, and Ellen asked for walkie-talkies. We'll see if the nice outweighs the naughty.