If I wrote a Christmas letter...

I suppose a Christmas letter is meant to be a reflection on the year gone by and an update for those who were not around everyday. So, with that, here it is in all its glory...2007.

Wow, where to start...2007 was one of the most up and down years in my life and Nick's as well. The new year rang in at Emanual Hospital in North Portland. George was in Tracu and beginning the long road to recovery. It is hard to believe George was so bad off then, since he is now walking with only the aid of a cane. I think that back at the beginning of the year, he was still working on trying to spend an hour or so in the specialized rehabilitation chair. After many surgeries and rehab including time in a live-in rehab center, George is moving forward, walking.

The 7th of January was my first day at AKT where I am now an associate auditor. I began as an intern and in July, when I finally finished school, I became a full time associate. Meanwhile, Nick continued work at Kerr Contractors and in February, he got sent to Ontario, Oregon for a large freeway bridge interchage. He was over in Ontario until December of this year and will probably go back once the weather gets nicer in 2008. It was a challenge getting used to Nick being gone. He drove back most weekends, 6 hours each way! There were a few times that I went over to Ontario and we drove up to McCall for a few days.

In December, Nick and I got married! We celebrated our marriage with a small ceremony in Hood River, Oregon at the Columbia Gorge Hotel. Following the wedding, we went out to McCall for a week of snowshoeing and winter fun with Carly, the woof! We put in an offer for our first house which did not go the way we hoped, but we are going to keep trying and will end up with whatever we are meant to have! Hopefully my next post will include pictures from the wedding and good news about a home purchase! Overall, the year was full of ups and downs, but we have both ended it with smiles and excitement for the year to come.

Nick on a fence in snow

Is that Nick with Carly? Snowshoe!

Kenzie in the snow with carly, snowshoe!

Nick and Kenzie with Carly in snow, Snowshoe!

My best friend! (Other than Nick)

Life is Good

• Getting ready to go to McCall, Idaho
• Taking Carly the woof to McCall
• Family is debating coming
• Nick love's me
• And I him
• Cheers to good food!
• Cheers to good friends!
• Cheers to the most wonderful family!
• Applause for the speaches at our wedding!
• Big smiles all around
• Mooshkerlaroo is HOME

So here's to life, love and happiness! We are just getting started and life will be good! Thank you everyone for everything you have done for us!

We're Married!

The impact of a web search

So last night, I found myself in bed unable to sleep. Ugh. I got my computer and did some work before I lost interest. I began to browse the internet and ended up on the PETA website. There was a tab that said "Companies that do and don't test on animals." I clicked on it and began reading the list of companies that do. Naturally, many of the products are ones that I currently use. Yeah, my Tide detergent, etc etc.

After reading up on animal testing, I decided that once I have gone through the products from companies that do test, I will switch. Further investigation brought up a very good point though, and I am no sure how I feel about this. The companies that test on animals tend to be very large ie Procter & Gamble co. The companies that don't test on animals tend to be small, ie Seventh Generation. Since animal testing requires a large lab and lots of investment, the big companies can afford to maintain them and discover new chemicals, additives, etc by testing on animals. Once they are determined safe, the smaller companies will adopt the use of the ingrediant without ever having to do the dirty work themselves. Interesting. There are always two sides to a story I suppose.

I really don't want to be one of those crazed organic types, crualty free etc...but it is hard not to want to be that way when you start finding out details of things that make our lives what they are today. Shrug. The more you know....right?

Elf yourself

Click the link, its pretty funny!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1161987126

Wedding site

Here is our wedding site.

Thanksgiving

Yo! I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving! Nick and I decided to spend the weekend up in McCall, Idaho at the cabin and we're so glad we did. It gave us a chance to hang out and un-wind. Pretty soon, we will be married and it was really nice to hang out and reflect on everything and just relax.

There was a small amount of snow, so Nick and I drove up to Brundage ski mountain and tried out the snowshoes! It was so much fun, Nick and I are so looking forward to taking them back up with us when we go for a whole week during Christmas time! We are going to take Carly woofy with us when we go! I just ordered her a new collar since she has almost outgrown the one that she has. The new one is a "life is good" collar with daisy's. Naturally, it is pink. Nick and I are going to head over to REI and buy her a nice set of booties so that she can come and play in the snow too! I am thinking about getting her a coat too. I know, I know, she is a dog and has her own coat, however, she is not really that used to being out in the elements and is quite the little indooor woofie. That said, I will probably baby her. Hey, we don't have any kids, so I can totally baby the little woof!

This weekend is the bridal shower and Batchelorette party. I am very excited about it! It will be nice to see everyone! The wedding is so close. I have so much to do in preparation...well, okay, not a ton, but you know, the last minute things like making the list for Jessica so that she can deal with the pictures...and sending in $$ for the flowers, and getting my girls stuff, and and and... yikes!!!