I woke up this morning to about 4 inches of fresh snow.  It sure it beautiful but not for driving.  Yuck.  I don't think there's any chance of Spring making an early appearance like I would like.

Yesterday we (the photography group and some friends and family) went to Frederik Meijer Gardens to see the different Christmas trees.  They have some amazing things there.  I will have new photos up on Flickr if you'd like to see a bit of what we saw.  That place is like a photographers paradise!

Speaking of which...Mike suprised me last night with an invoice for my new camera!  I can not tell you how much it means to me that I am going to have this camera.  And that Mike is getting it for me.  I had a feeling he would but the fact that he KNOWS how much it means to me and he put that much money into something for me just makes me realize how much he loves me.  I know it seems superficial to say that because he spent money on me I know he loves me.  That's not what I mean.  The fact is we are fairly tight on money right now and Mike has been working a lot of overtime to get some extra.  He's been working hard and he really doesn't get himself things.  We are very well cared for by Mike.  When I think of the pressure he must be under for us so that we can have a warm and safe home and food to eat it is a bit overwhelming.  And then he does this.  I really do take him for granted most days.  I will defend him to the ends of the world for Nicole but I really should tell him more how much I appreciate all he does for us. 

Anyway, here it is:

And I got the two lens kit!  BONUS.  I can't wait to get my hands on it

Not much else is new.  We have one more week of school and then it's Christmas vacation!  I'm excited for Christmas and seeing my family open their gifts and being with them.  I can't even tell you how relieved I am and RELAXED since I am done with my shopping and the gifts are all wrapped and ready under the tree (most of them) and all I have to do now is just enjoy it.  I am excited to play handbells Christmas morning (although a bit nervous) because it's a fun song.  Christmas day we go to church and then we are going to open gifts, have dinner together and go to a movie.  Over Christmas vacation I have to take the kids to Build-a-bear to make their Rudolphs because I told them I would as part of their gifts.  Although I am thinking maybe we could do that the day before Christmas. 

Well, I think it's time to go and edit some photos from yesterday.