It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

I have been hard at it in the last few days, hanging lights and assembling our Christmas tree in the hours after I get home from work. I am really, really proud of the lights. I am terrified of heights so this is even more of an accomplishment - with no ladder involved - all hanging from the roof! They're simple, I know, but I plan on adding some color in a week or so. At any rate they look clean and classic - and I like them, so there!

(funky light photo)

We also have a tree. Because Tanna can sometimes be irritated by tree pollens, we decided to go plastic. A few years ago, we bought this tree for like $20, what a deal! The photo doesn't do it justice, it's really tall and actually quite pretty, it just needs decorating.


Speaking of decorating, Tanna wanted to replace our standard door wreath with a more festive version. She went to Wal-Mart and got a few bits and pieces and put this together. I think it looks fantastic - and it was very inexpensive to put together. Wreaths like these were selling for $40, but I think Tanna put this one together for $8. What do you think?


In case you didn't know, or haven't guessed by now, I can be terribly cheap. Not scrooge cheap, but pretty close. We don't like to spend money when we don't have to, so we'll opt to make things if it will save us a buck. This is a far cry from younger John, who must have thought money was made of hot lava and would burn you if you held on to it too long. I guess I had to grow up sometime.

Preggy pics, by request

I've had a few people ask me how Tanna is doing and how big she has gotten, so I'm posting the obligatory belly shots. Tanna hates them, but I think she looks really cute. You can't tell from the pictures, but she's got little legs, and a cute little body with this BIG belly! You can tell she is super excited about having her picture taken :)



If she ever gets to feeling really bad, she can always look at this pic.

How ridiculous!
That should make her feel better :)

One more thing.....

Texas plays the Aggies today,
Hook em Horns!!


oh, and while you're at it, go OSU! Beat Oklahoma!



Well, as a final note, the Longhorns couldn't pull it out. For the second year in a row, the turkey got the better of us. I think I won't shave, bathe or leave the house for 11 days - I am officially in mourning.

Happy Thanksgiving (weekend) Everybody!

So I'm a day late ......sue me :)

We had a very enjoyable and very relaxing turkey day with the family. We had planned on being in Houston, but Tanna's doctor told us it was not a good idea as she could go into labor anytime between tomorrow and 10 weeks from now.

Speaking of Tanna's doctor, she told us that Tanna is progressing nicely and the baby looks to be doing very well. Because Tanna is at a higher risk of early delivery, we get monthly ultrasounds- possibly one of the only perks of going to the doctor 6 times a month.

This brings me to my thoughts today. I have repeatedly told Tanna how incredibly blessed we are. We have good jobs, great families and all the comforts we never thought we deserved. I am very thankful for all of this, but most of all for my very special wife. She has put up with a lot from me in the last 5 years, but these last few months she has been a saint in what is usually a very difficult time for women with child. I love you honey, and thank you for taking such good care of our baby.


In what is sure to be the first of many, many baby pictures, I offer this for your enjoyment. Happy Thanksgiving!

Sneaky John....

I guess John's been busy putting all of this together! It looks good. Nice work John. =)

Today is most likely my last day of teaching for the semester because I am going on bed rest - I'll find out for sure today at 3:00. We're very excited to meet our little princess, but not quite yet!

Our family and friends have been so incredibly generous to us in preparing for the bebe. Thank you all! We really appreciate everything that you have given us, and most of all your love and support!

Introductions

For those of you who are new to our little family I will try to bring you up to speed.

We met at school through some mutual friends in 2002. It wasn't long before the sparks flew and by Valentines day, 2003, we were engaged. We gave each other ample opportunity to back out, Tanna went with the Bills on a week long ski trip to Winter Park Colorado, and I was taken camping in Rocky Mtn National Park en route to a Maddox family reunion. Talk about running the gauntlet :)
























We were married in Houston August 2003 and our little family was born.
Since then we've been blessed to enjoy a little traveling and accomplish some pretty big things. Together we've been to Colorado, Mexico, Seattle, Navoo, and most recently I was
able to go back to Latvia, where I served a mission, with Tanna and my parents.































We've also celebrated two graduations, building a new house, and some pretty intense cycling tours. Nothing has been as exciting or as rewarding as the project we've been working on for the last eight months.

Welcome!

Following the lead of my more ambitious sister, Amanda, Tanna and I started this blog to share our new little family with our friends and relatives. Come back often to see new pictures and check on the progress of new baby_______. Oops, almost let the name slip - check back later for more details. :)