Washington Christmas

We are finally back at home in Michigan (after some flight delays and lost luggage). It's been forever since I have posted, so now I feel like I have to play catch up. We had a wonderful and eventful Christmas break in Washington. We had such a good time with our family and feel so blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives. Here are few pictures and highlights of our trip...

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve with all our Gamblin cousins

It just wouldn't be Christmas Eve without matching pajamas!

Preggo Steph!
The whole fam....out to dinner at Cheesecake Factory. Thanks Paul and Bev!

Us at the EMP (Experience Music Project) A music museum in Seattle



As their Christmas gift to us, Steph and Matt took us to a Sonics game. It was a great idea, we had a blast!

Eating a Maggianos before the game, where Dustin and I had our wedding luncheon.


Dustin enjoying the best doughnuts in the world!

Perry making an intersting face

Gingerbread Fun

So one the packages that Josh and Amanda sent were all the necessary tools needed to construct a gingerbread house. We had some fun making them while eating the candy at the same time. I'll let you guess which one is mine and which one is Dustin's...

Thanks Sherwoods

Dustin's brother and his wife Amanda had us for Christmas this year. They gave us a bunch of little presents to open on specific days. Amanda was so cute and individually wrapped each present with hand make tags as well. I could tell she put a lot of effort and time into it. So far we go this Christmas binder with a song, story and quote for each day in December. Also a CD, a book and a really cute Christmas ornament. We can't wait to open the rest. Thanks so much you guys!

Great Message

"This Christmas, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and speak it again. Christmas is a celebration, and there is no celebration that compares with the realization of its true meaning - with the sudden stirring of the heart that has extended itself unselfishly in the things that matter most." - President Hunter, Ensign, Dec. 2002 I stole this from my friend Mindy's blog who is on a mission in Washington DC. I love this quote. Hopefully we can take this advice and use this season as a reminder to be alittle better.