Cutest Picture Yet!

On Sunday we awoke to a beautiful snowfall and decided it was time for Violet to wear her new red coat, dress, and bonnet sent by Grandma Chruma for Christmas. This is quite possibly the cutest picture taken of Daddy and Violet to date!

Happy Arizona Statehood Day!

February 14, 1912....the date Arizona became our 48th state! Pictured above is the Arizona State Flag. The 13 stripes are red and gold, representing the 13 stripes on the US flag and the colors from the Spanish flag. The stripes are arranged to look like the Arizona sunset. A copper star in the center represents the state's most important industry. The bottom half is blue, matching the blue on the US flag. In case you didn't know, Jason was born and raised in the Arizona desert. He's also quite a fanatic about his home state, so don't refer to February 14th as Valentine's Day....them's fightin' words where he comes from!

You know you're in Arizona when ...
1. You no longer associate bridges (or rivers) with water.
2. You can say 110 degrees without fainting.
3. You eat hot chilies to cool your mouth off.
4. You can make instant sun tea.
5. You learn that a seat belt makes a pretty good branding iron.
6. The temperature drops below 95, you feel a bit chilly.
7. You discover that in July, it takes only 2 fingers to drive your car.
8. You discover that you can get a sunburn through your car window.
9. You notice the best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.
10. Hot water now comes out of both taps.
11. It's noon in July, kids are on summer vacation, and not one person is out on the streets.
12. You actually burn your hand opening the car door.
13. You break a sweat the instant you step outside at 7:30 a.m. before work.
14. No one would dream of putting vinyl upholstery in a car or not having air conditioning.
15. Your biggest bicycle wreck fear is, "What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the pavement and cook to death?"
16. You realize that asphalt has a liquid state.

Happy Belated Groundhog's Day!

Though we are a little late on this post, we wanted to share our Groundhog's Day celebration with you! On February 2nd Violet, Gretchen (Laurel's mom), and Laurel took a day trip to Staunton (pronounced STAN-TON) and wandered into a little bakery to do some browsing. We didn't even think about it being Groundhog's Day, but upon entering the bakery, we were greeted by the owner who had made these funny little groundhog cupcakes. We bought a few of them to take home for a proper celebration of this often-forgotten holdiay. This year Puxatawney Phil did not see his shadow, so that indicates an early spring.

February 2nd is also Aunt Ingrid's birthday....Happy Birthday!

First Snow!

This past Sunday, we had our first snow and ice storm. It began while we were at church and the roads were very icy by the time it let out. We decided to have lunch at a diner and wait for the snow plows and salt machines to go over the roads before trying to get home. Violet was somewhat interested in her first snow, but Mommy and Daddy were very excited about her experiencing it.

The Editor

Laurel decided to develop a newsletter for our neighborhood which is made up of 67 homes. The photo is her "Editor" shot that she published with the first installment that went out this week. Jason has taken on the role of "Perry White" (boss to Lois Lane and Clark Kent) which has kept Laurel on track with her writing. For example, we have a black bear living in the woods bordering our development. When Laurel got stuck developing a black bear article, Jason shouted things like, "Black bear in the neighborhood? We need pictures! What?!.....There were witnesses? Why haven't you interviewed them yet! I want to know everything about this Smokey, and pronto!" Nothing like motivation!

Welcome 2007!

Had a great New Year party this year, but all our guests left at 11:30! So, Jason and Laurel finished off the bottle of champagne and welcomed in the new year out on the front porch with sparklers and by banging on pots and pans. This is a Philadelphia tradition passed down to Laurel by her Philly-born parents and it will live on as long as she is alive. Violet woke up around 10pm and stayed up to help us open the champagne bottle and to welcome in 2007. As soon as we got in bed, she went right to sleep!

Autumn's Wedding Dress

Ray and Autumng got engaged a few weeks ago and will get married on June 30, 2007! She came down for a visit during the Thanksgiving break and we went dress shopping in Richmond. She found her dress and purchased it, but you will all just have to wait for the wedding to see it! Here she is looking through the many racks of dresses to find the perfect one.