Christmas Gifts

Vote in the poll to decide what we are doing this year about Christmas gifts. :-)

Pictures

Since we're going to have all the kids together this December, I think that it's a prime opportunity to take some adorable pictures. I imagine that everyone in the family would love to have a picture of all five of them together. We could either go the DIY route by setting up a "photo studio" in the Fleming living room, or could all chip in and take the kids to some place like Olan Mills. Mike and I are getting pretty good at taking and editing DIY photos, so we'd be happy to volunteer to be the photographers. Either way, I think that it would be adorable to dress all the kids in coordinating outfits. Perhaps something easy that they all have like jeans and a white shirt? Or Christmas themed clothes? Or both? Thoughts or suggestions?

Always tell the truth

"Always tell the truth - in what is important and in what seems a small matter.
In a world where so many people habitually think little of a lie and indulge in pretences, we, as Christians must be men and women of truth who always flee from the smallest falsehood. This is how people should know us - as men and women who never tell lies even in matters of little importance, as men and women who shut out of their lives anything that smacks of dissimulation, hypocrisy and duplicity, and who know how to put matters right if they make a mistake. Then our lives will be filled with a great apostolic fruitfulness, for people always trust an upright person, one who knows how to speak the truth with charity and understanding towards all and without hurting people. ...
It is not a matter of knowing just how far we can go in saying things that are untrue before we incur a grave fault. It is a matter of hating lying in all its forms. It's a matter of telling the whole truth, and, when out of prudence or charity this can not be done, then we will hold our tongue and not invent little 'white lies' that falsely ease our consciences. We must love the truth in itself and for itself, not only in the things that can benefit ourselves or other people in a personal way. We must abhor lying as something stupid and despicable, for whatever reason it is resorted to. We must hate it because it's an offence against God, who is supreme Truth. --from In Conversation With God, vol.4, p.115-116

We Have Tickets

I just wanted to let everyone know that we officially purchased our plane tickets for going to Michigan in December. We will be arriving in Michigan Friday evening, December 17th and will be leaving mid-day Tuesday, December 21st. We can't wait to see everyone then!

Come, Holy Spirit!

Sunday will be Pentecost. Let's get ready!

Breathe in me, Holy Spirit, that all my thoughts may be holy;
Act in me Holy Spirit, that my work may also be holy;
Fill my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy;
Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, ever to defend what is holy;
Guard me always, Holy Spirit, that I may ever remain holy;
Preserve me, Holy Spirit, that my body may remain your dwelling;
In my last hour call me, Holy Spirit, to enjoy the holiness of heaven.
--Holy Spirit prayer by St. Augustine

Colorado Skiing, Anyone?

We have a condo reserved up in the heart of Colorado ski country, and you are invited!

This year we have a condo that sleeps 8 in a little town called Frisco, Colorado. It is very close (less than an hour) to any of five awesome ski resorts: Vail, Copper Mountain, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin. I have been keeping an eye on plane tickets and now is a good time to buy!

So get out your calendars (and your credit cards) and get in touch with me by e-mail as soon as you know what your interest and availability is!

Oh, yes, the dates ....... we get the condo after 4 PM on Saturday February 27, and need to be out Saturday AM March 6. I would like to suggest that folks come for either the first half or the second half of the week. To save money on car rentals, I think if rent one fairly big car, like a minivan of 4x4 SUV, we can fit up to six and get around pretty well. I would like to limit the number of trips back and forth to Denver Intl Airport, as it is at least 90 minutes each way.

So, if you want to come out Saturday and stay through Wednesday, aim for arriving in Denver on Saturday February 27 around 2-3 pm, and leaving Wednesday March 3 after 5 pm.

If you coming out Wednesday March 3, plan on arriving between 4 and 6 pm and leaving on Saturday March 6 after 5 pm. ( Please note that this is a shorter time with only 2 1/2 days of skiing available, unless you rent your own vehicle and stay the night in Denver and go home on Sunday. )

If we are not "fillin up the joint" then I can be much more flexible with timing; I just don't want to be driving into Denver everyday and missing the skiing :) I am also open to anyone who is interested in the whole week to contact me RIGHT AWAY, so I can make sure that will really work.

Here's what we have so far:

I am planning on being "the host with the most", and staying all week (can you say burnt out quads?)

Jenny would like to come for the first half of the week, and would love to have some fellow "Blue Square" skiers join her.

Dave, I am hoping you are staying the whole week. Better get in shape, man! PS Did you know you can't smoke at 12,000 ft - not enough oxygen! I would love to see Melissa out there, too...can you talk her into it?

Deja Vu All Over Again!

After seeing Valerie's new pictures, I thought they looked a bit familiar, so I went to the family archives and found these pix of Greg at about the same age. Amazing isn't it! The apple doesn't far from the tree!

These pictures are from the Northwoods IV apartment complex on North Campus at Uof M just around Greg's first birthday.