Buckaroo's adopted!

Our new Golden Retriever was born on October 23, 2007. We picked him up on Friday Dec. 28th in Mica Peak, WA. His full registered name will be Mica Peak Buckaroo. We call him Roo. He is a handsome pure bread golden. His Sire (dad) is Hollykins Rio Grande an American Kennel Club Champion. Roo's Dam (mom) is Johnsons Goldenquest Chanel or "Nell." Nell was born by a Canadian champion sire Goldenquest Jaayd. Nell's mom was a field rated golden. So, the cool thing is that Roo's Dad is an American Champion, and his Grandfather is a Canadian champion. Once we get his official paper work, we might find some cool facts too post.

Fun facts about Roo:

1. I love people more than anything


2. I love to eat more than I love people


3. I enjoy chewing on bark, fiberglass, cardboard, people, and jackets


4. I have a new dogie door installed by "Grandpa Bob"


5. I'm not potty trained yet


6. I am getting better an fetching and sitting on command


7. I sleep in the garage or laundry room


8. I like the snow


9. I get to have my second round of shots on Monday


10. I'm already visibly bigger than when i left Mica Peak.


11. I'm all around lovable

The Coeur d'Alene Resort

Katrina and I met up with Ismo and Christina on Thursday before New Year's Eve. We ate lunch in Post Falls at the White House a.k.a the garlic factory! When drove another 15 minutes east to the CDA Resort which was covered in snow and thousands of Christmas lights. In fact, the light show is the biggest of its kind in the U.S. We took a chilly boat cruise to see the "North Pole" and the largest living Christmas lit tree in the world. It was taller than the Rockefeller's and U.S. White House's tree combined. We ate great food, sat by the blazing fire to warm ourselves, and enjoyed the hot tub, pool, and saunas. I visited my favorite local coffee roaster, Doma. Another nice treat was that both of our rooms were upgrade to a view looking west over CDA Lake. I spent a few moments on the boat cruise reflecting God's goodness in 2007! The majesty of the NW outdoors blanketed in snow inspired me to praise God and want to be a part of His plans of blessing in 2008. Katrina and I are so blessed with God's provision that we want to see many more people join God's family and experience the peace, joy, and thankfulness in our spirits.

A White Christmas!

Katrina and I took many pictures during our Christmas break in Richland, Spokane, and Coeur d'Alene. It was the first time celebrating Christ's coming at our new home. Before we drove to my parents for Christmas week, Katrina and I hosted our young marrieds/singles small group. The guys decided they would overcome their fear of snow by walking barefoot outside...truly a bonding moment! From left to right is Creighton, myself, Ryan, and Justin. Joel and Darren followed soon after. At Dad and Mom's we celebrated with the extended family on Christmas Eve. The food was totally scrumptious and seeing my cousins, uncles, aunts, and Nana is always nice. We did a gift exchange at the end and we walked away with two movie tickets. Playing with our nephew Cade and niece Ellie gave us countless smiles and memories of our childhoods.

Here Comes Santa Claus...right down Duluth Street!

Our Christmas decorating began on Black Friday. Here are some of our first attempts at making our home a place to enjoy the Christmas Spirit!

Bound 4 The North

In October, Katrina took a weekend visit to B.C. She saw one of her girlfriends, Treena get married. You will also see Scott and Janet's beautiful daughter Olivia and son Carter.

A Spokane Thanksgiving

Here are some of our favorite digi pics during last week's turkey fest!

The Pre Holiday Days

It's fully November now. I've used the Toro lawnmower 3 times this fall to "rake-up" the leaves. My pumpkin with "Jesus" carved into the front burns nightly. My candle is seriously into endurance. I blow it out in the morning before biking to work. Biking to and from work has been one of my favorite changes in my daily routine. It's kinda like an adventure that begins different each morning. Some days it's cold and I feel like my forehead is going to freeze off! Other days like Sunday morning I bike with dress clothes and it go to be about 71'F by the afternoon. Yesterday I biked to Costco in Kennewick along a new nature path on the 240/Yakima River delta area. Really enjoyed myself.

Saturday Katrina and I picked up our new bench for the living room entry way. We had it made to match our entry way coat hanger and organizer. We found items at Costco for Christmas decor that got us both excited to get into the spirit of Christmas. ya baby Jesus!

Katrina is in the beginning madness of report cards for her 72 students and I have just finished working with Pastor Wes to finalize my portfolio as the Family Life Pastor. Our stress levels have been up and down and Katrina and I have been praying together for her work team to be less divisive and more enjoyable. But, my baby Katrina is getting it done and I'm so proud of her. I am a blessed husband!

I tell friends often how blessed we are to be in our first home and have friends who pray for us and love both of us. God is good during this new time in our marriage...when we are both working full time. We look forward to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Break because that means time with family in Spokane and Canada.

until next time. M