Sister's Visit

for 2 weeks in decemeber, my dream of one day living with my sister was fulfilled. she is one of my best friends and i couldn't imagine having a better sister. we had a blast together, and there were a lot of firsts for steph: first time walking outside with wet hair and having it freeze, first time sliding down a snowy mountain to cut down a christmas tree, first time taking a car through a car wash - only to have the water freeze and not be able to open the car doors......all in all, it was an awesome time together. the time was way too short, even after i took the liberty of changing her flight to make her stay just a few more days! she's making her way to togo, west africa, in a few weeks to work on the mercy ship for a few months, and i am gonna miss that girl like crazy.


making our way down the "hill" to find the perfect tree.....


steph and i found that perfect tree, only to discover it was actually 4 limbs growing up, creating the illusion it was the perfect christmas tree. john kept trying to point this fact out, but we wouldn't give up til cutting down the largest trunk, only to realize john was right.

our tree!!! (that's right, john is sporting the jacket my dad wore 30 years ago when he lived on a farm in colorado. apparently winters are pretty cold there too).






from the forest to our living room.


christmas tree #2. the fake tree with toxic flocking we got from dumpster diving at the store i work at - it has sentimental value being our first christmas tree together.


and these are the stockings steph made for me while she was here. totally dr. seussical and i love them!