Christmas at the Hams

This year we spent Christmas at the Ham's house in New Jersey. Tom and I left Tuesday morning and drove to Virginia where we stopped for the night. On Wednesday, we headed into Washington DC to pick up Ma and Pa at the airport. After we picked them up we headed towards Maryland to meet Derek for dinner, since this would likely be our only chance to see him. 3 hours and 15 miles later, we finally made it. After dinner we made the rest of the journey to New Jersey.

Jen had to work Christmas Eve, so the rest of us (including Leslie, Derek's niece, who was also there for the holiday) cooked meals, played with the kids, and made Christmas cookies for Santa. Ma and Pa also braved Toys R Us on Christmas Eve with the kids to pick out toys. Needless to say, the rest of us "graciously" bowed out of that adventure. After the kids went to bed, Pa and I got to work assembling Darin's train table. It took a few minutes, errr.... hours, but we managed to get it done (we didn't even wake the kids up with all our racket).

Christmas morning came too early for the adults, but not early enough for the kiddos. The kids made out quite well and opening presents lasted for quite a while. Of course then you have to spend the rest of the day assembling and unwrapping all of the said toys, even in the middle of a marshmallow war. After presents, we got cleaned up and headed over to the neighbors for the best Christmas breakfast spread I have ever seen. It was delicious. Jen, please tell "Uncle Bill" we will be back next year.

Once back from breakfast, we picked up all the aftermath of the presents, assembled a few more toys, worked on Christmas dinner, and played some Wii. That evening we enjoyed wonderful fellowship and food, followed by a heated game of Cash N Guns and a hilarious round of Apples to Apples.

Saturday morning was fairly laid back. Tom and I made our way through the flooded streets to the gym for a nice workout to burn off some of the holiday calories. Once back from the gym, the adults headed to Atlantic city for an evening at the Casinos. We enjoyed a wonderful buffet (thanks again Ma and Pa), and meandered throughout a few different Casinos, losing our money to the slot machines.

Oh wait, that was everyone but me ;-) I actually came out ahead, with 4x the money I started with. Since the slots treated me so kindly, I treated the crew to milkshakes on the way back to the car.

Sunday was our last day together. Ma stayed home with the kids for some special Grandma time and the rest of us headed out to the bowling alley. Team southern DeBoard came out ahead of the father/daughter team. After returning from the bowling alley, Jen, Ma, and I took the kids to "Crusty" castle land (think amusement park for those 36" and under). Although it was cold we had a fun time. Maybe next time Jen and I can actually get the turtle to spin.

Monday came too soon and we all had to say our goodbyes. Until next time.... and hopefully Derek can join us, we really missed you. Even the iPhone doesn't match the real thing.

Thanks again Jen for hosting us for a very special Christmas, we really had a wonderful time. Can't wait to see everyone soon.

Maybe in the warmer southern climate.....?

And now for the few pics I took (unfortunately, I put my camera down after Christmas, so I don't have pictures of any of the other activities).

We were treated to a white Christmas this year.

Decorating Christmas cookies. The kids decorated the entire batch.

Showing off his "painted" pants

Showing off their new Christmas jammies (I made the pants).

PRESENTS!

Pa and his "Jingle Jugs"

The progression of a lap dog.

Of course Tucker had to get in on that action.

Christmas is tiring when you are 4.

The Spread

Kiddos ready to eat.

Change

Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights. ~Pauline R. Kezer

As many of you are aware there have been some fairly big changes in our life recently. After almost seven years, Tom has left his place of employment to pursue self-employment. To say I have seen a remarkable change in his outlook on life, would be an understatement. Although, the career change brings much stress and uncertainty for him, he has a renewed sense of spirit and zest for life that is contagious. It is so wonderful to see the sparkle back in his eye, and his sense of humor and happiness return.


As for me, I was recently promoted to a Sr. engineering position in my current department. I was one of 11 candidates for the promotion. Currently, I am loving my job. It is both challenging and rewarding.


Often times I struggle with change (I get this from my Dad). I guess it is the fear of the unknown and failure. As I have gotten older, I have come to the conclusion that change is not something to fear. Every change in my life has brought me both a renewed sense of self and forced me to grow as a person (even when I perceived it as a negative change). When I look back and see just how much I have accomplished since high school, it blows me away. Of course, I have had many instrumental people in my life that have challenged me and affirmed me along the way. So right now I am embracing the change, whatever it brings.






























We have had a busy summer, which included several trips and adventures. I have tons of pictures that will eventually be posted on Tom's site. Our trip to the Dominican Republic was absolutely wonderful and refreshing. It was a great opportunity (and location) to get away from the everyday hustle and bustle of life, and focus on each other and everything God has blessed us with.

Now that our busy summer has come to an end, we are preparing to take things a little easier this fall and winter. Although, in a few weeks I will meet my Mom and sister in Texas for a girls weekend. And, come the new year Tom and I hope to expand our family, so there is still much change on the horizon.

The Bathroom Remodel

Here are the pictures from the bathroom remodel we did this summer. We made the following improvements:

• Painted the walls and trim
• Raised the counters
• Replaced the faucets (this was actually done right after we moved in, in all the bathrooms and the kitchen)
• Replaced the light fixtures
• Re-used the existing mirrors, but gave them a face lift with some new paint
• Re-caulked the entire bathroom (shower, counters, baseboards, etc)
• Replaced the cabinet pulls
• Replaced all the bathroom fixtures, added a magazine rack, and two shelves above the sinks.
• Replaced the toilet seat with a new quiet-close seat. (Like the one we had in Portland)

We would have liked to replace the countertops and the toilet, but it just wasn't in the budget this time. Oh well, it is MUCH better than it was.

The first pic was taken during our house hunting trip in April 08' before we moved in.

Leaving on a jetplane

(TOM)

So this is it -- back from the land where nobody works and into the land of workaholics.

We're both beat (could do an entire injury post plus a dissertation on weird skin rashes alone) but rejuvindated and envigorated. Fortunately we timed is so we've got a couple of days at home to crash, unpack, and pile the stresses back on one by one before reporting for the Monday morning flogging.

Keeping the fingers crossed that the next 12 hours is free from plane and customs-related drama.

See you all on the flipside.

-Tom and Laurie

P.S. That beetle shot was just for you ma... ;) Thing was HUGE -- no joke.

Whuzzup

(TOM)

Okay, so onto the goodies. We're at a point with enough internet access to be able to post some pictures so here you go. A grab bag of stuff to chew on.

This country is probably about the same as it was more than a hundred years ago. Think pirate ports but with basketball jerseys and motorcycles. There is extreme poverty here but also thick culture and heritage. And of course some of the most beautiful and untouched beaches and jungles in the world.

Some people in the DR are kind, helpful, and interesting to talk to and others are waiting for a moment in a dark place when nobody is looking to slit your throat with a machete to take your wallet and camera. The dangers here are very real and something completely beautiful or fatally stupid can be only steps away from each other. The life stories for both locals and the people that have chosen to live here (from all over the world) have been interesting to hear. A lot of lost and wandering souls have ended up here, some too poor to leave now and others loving the loose and unpredicable lifestyle.

Not being able to speak Spanish here would be a very bad deal. Most people don't speak anything but Spanish (dialects included), and from what I've been told by longtime locals many of the Dominicans that speak English, French, and/or German (there are a number of them) are likely involved in the large drug trade that partially bankrolls this country. The nickname for these people is "Tigers" (pronounced Tee-grays).

I've personally been asked by many people whether I play pro baseball, basketball, and even prize-fighting. Most people have guessed that we're German, followed by Netherlands,then Australian, then French. Nobody has guessed on the first try that we're American. Not many Americans come to the DR from what I've heard. Apparently Americans want to "fly into their hotel and then back out again", and this country doesn't suit that kind of travel experience.

We've put many stories and adventures under our belt so far and look forward to returning state-side to share with family.

Hope this finds everyone doing well in the hustle and bustle of normal life.

See you all soon.

Tom (and Laurie)