Sage is ready for Chicago!

This is how we'll attempt to keep Sage warm while we're in Chicago and Michigan over the holidays. Haha, so cute! Thanks Phil and Claire for lending us Sammy's old sherpa coat =)

Hiking with Kathleen

This past weekend my dear friend Kathleen came for a visit. It was SO great to see her! On Saturday we went for a hike in our local mountains, it was a perfectly beautiful 65 degree day (sorry for those of you fighting the cold in the midwest!) and even though Dan and I were a bit out of shape, we had a splendid time. As a matter of fact, our hike got pretty exciting on our way down the mountain when we surprisingly ran into Oprah! Yep, that's right, taking a breather on the side of the trail was Oprah with two of her friends. She asked to see Sage and we introduced her....she thought he was adorable and loved his big blue eyes =) Totally crazy!

From hesitant to triumphant...Sage loves peas!

Sage is very proud of his two front teeth! (sorry for the blur)

Awwwww, can you believe he was once this small?!

Ooooooo, I just LOVE Christmas!!!

Oh how I love cloudy weather, Christmas music, watching football (Bears won!) and setting up our Christmas tree. This Sunday was one of those nostalgic days where the clouds were out and it felt so holidayish. I was giddy with glee and once we finished setting up the tree we indulged in big mugs of hot chocolate and marshmellows, yum =) Sage is enamored with the Christmas lights and just stares at them and drools...haha, so cute!

Cheering up my day

I've been fighting a cold the past couple of days but playing with Sage just seems to brighten my day right up =) It's so fun to have Sage be a part of the holidays this year, I am so thankful for this sweet family of mine!!! My heart swells at the thought of being able to come home for Christmas this year, we can't wait to be with everyone....and we're already praying for lots and lots of snow =)

Hanging around the house

Sleeping Sage

Santa Barbara Fire

As many of you have heard, Santa Barbara is on fire. Already 100+ homes have been lost and the fire is still at 0% containment. Westmont lost many buildings and our dear friends Phil, Claire, and Sammy Ficsor (who have previously been in many pics on this blog) lost their home to the fire. They have been staying here with us since the fire and it seems that every hour we are already seeing the amazing provision of Christ. Through donated money, toys, clothes, shelter, and food they are finding their voices of praise and thanksgiving. Just today they were given a new place of their own to live until they are able to find a more permanent home. It is a BEAUTIFUL, quaint cottage here in Carpinteria and it is RIGHT on the beach. The backyard is a fully fenced in grass yard and the minute you step out the front door you are walking on sand. They are literally 30 feet from the ocean. And this place was offered to them from total strangers who have never met them. God is good!!!! So even though these are some pictures of their old house, the blessings of their new house and life are only beginning...

Random pics

Our lil' pumpkin

Sage was sooooo excited to be a pumpkin for his first Halloween. He went trick or treating with his buddy Sammy Ficsor (disguised as a knight) and scored some good candy =) Meanwhile, Dan enjoyed scaring the local children who came innocently looking for candy....it was a great first Halloween.

Pumpkin Carving!

Erin and Joel came over this past Friday for pumpkin carving and to watch Monster House. We had such a fun time and our pumpkins turned out great. Joel's pumpkin is the one with the windmill, Erin's has the cool decor, and ours is the funny looking monster we made just for Sage.