Thanks yous guys

On the eve of Love Month we'd like to thank everyone for the beautiful and unforgettable Christmas presents.

We were overwhelmed with shock and awe at the thoughtfulness put into each gift.


We know that many of them could not be purchased at a store. These are the ones that will help us most to learn and grow.

We will think of you with tender thoughts teach time we wear the scarves, read the stories, play the games, and sing the songs that you have brought into our lives.

Just know that your sweet gifts will bring us smiles for years to come.



Thank you everyone, and Merry Christmas.

It's Tradition

For the past two years we've gone bowling during the Christmas break with some of our friends. It's turning into a little bit of a tradition, and I have to admit that I kind of like it.


Here I am in 2009 gearing up for my 10th gutter-ball. Having a baby can really throw off your game.


Also in 2009, can you see the direction Matt's orange ball is headed in. Like I said!

Here we are Christmas Day 2010. Jill, graciously showing us her amazing strike.

And the after celebration!

We've been practicing!!!

Sly Mrs. Claus

Jill met Santa for the first time this year. It was exciting, and she wanted nothing to do with him. But as our luck had it, Mrs. Claus came along too, and she's awfully good with kids. Just watch . . .

Did you notice how she slipped Jill a candy cane mid-cry? That sly Mrs. Claus!!! She's the real brains of the operation.

Oh Tananbaum!

Three years! Can you believe it. We've been decorating Christmas trees in this apartment for three years now. I believe this is our most beautiful one. Compare to the last two years, if you would like. http://teamsvedin.blogspot.com/2009/12/oh-tananbaulm.html.

Ah Yes, our wonderful woodsman at work. We actually found this tree (and last years) at the best little Christmas tree farm. I'll recommend it to anyone in our area.

And here is our baby, under the tree.

And this is the reason Jill got beads for Christmas. Scary Huh!!!! Don't worry. This was the last time she played with the Christmas tree cranberries. And I promise, she never strangles herself with the beads.

Christmas Eveyday!

I know how you are. At the end of December you said to yourself, "I wish I could find a way to make this Christmas feeling last all year long." Well, I'm just trying to help you out by talking about Christmas in the middle of January.

Merry Christmas!


 I received some very wonderful and thoughtful gifts this year, but Matt will tell you that my favorite is the one one Santa brought me. I've been working on it non-stop ever since Christmas Day. This is also the only really good picture I got of our decorated Christmas tree. Matt picked a beautiful tree this year.
He also picked out a beautiful new digital point and shoot camera for me (a Christmas Eve gift so I would be ready for the big day.)

Matt find this little number in his stocking . . . No, not Jill. She was last year's gift. (Jill doesn't usually scowl like that when we take pictures. She was just trying to get used to the new flash, and figure out what she should do with Dad's new toy.

Jill's stocking held beads, her new favorite thing, and mittens for the next few cold months, and . . .

Of course, an orange, which is also one of her favorite things.

Christmas Food

As Matt and I mixed traditions, we came out with some interesting things:


French Lace Bread with cherry filling - one of my family favorites.

Cereal from Santa - one of Matt's family traditions.

We also had oranges and candy in the stockings and nuts to crack on the table. Including pistachios, another Matt family favorite.

Jill was just shocked to be up so early in the morning. She didn't care what was for breakfast.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day at our house!

Jill was so excited. Santa brought her socks and spoons.

Jill's first Christmas present. (She got a sewing pattern for baby slippers.)

Don't be fooled by these next two: We were both very excited and surprised by our gifts.

Matt, a little less excited that this picture portrays. This is a cover for our outdoor grill that I finished in the nic'o time

Me much more excited!!!

Oh Tananbaulm

Last year Matt and I spent Christmas in Texas with my family. My mom and sisters put together a stellar open house to celebrate Matt's and my very new marriage, and we partied of 3 days my family style.

Before we left though, and even before we were married, Matt got a permit and we chopped down a Christmas tree off the side of a very cold and dark mountain. (We went after work one evening at the end of November. We decorated it for our first Family Night with the spare and sparse ornaments we both owned. When we got home, we had a grand little after Christmas party to open the presents we left there.


Oh, here it is. Our cute little tree of 2008.

Here is a lighted view.

This year we decided to sit tight in Idaho and enjoy our first Matt and Sarah Family Christmas. Matt and I went to a great lot north of town where you could cut a fresh tree, and we cut down the biggest tree there. Our decorations are exacrly the same, just much less coordinated with our wrapping paper than last year.

Merry Christmas 2009!