BEGIN time spent together

Have you ever found yourself enjoying a movie you can't believe your watching?

This is the way to wake up...

We woke up to this vibrant sky on Christmas morning. Dan had the 4 of us stand out in the back for a bit. We breathed in the cold morning air and soaked it all in...then ran back into toasty warm house!Only Dan was hardy enough to linger behind watching the morning sky change.

Right now the girls are on the trampoline. Kaitlin has a friend over who she hasn't seen since October 2005 and Breana, who came home mopey & numb from her dentist appointment this afternoon is screaming at the top of her lungs w/ glee...poor neighbors! (I guess someone is feeling better!) I am so happy that it's Christmas break. I love having the girls home all day. I enjoy sharing my day with them. I enjoy the 3 of us moving about the house together at our own paces. I enjoy starting the day with an idea of how I want to spend it then when I present it with them the day's agenda alters with their ideas & expectations. The day definitely morphs into one that is a culimination of the 3 of us and becomes a day that's distinctly ours. I feel sad when it's time for them to go back to school...deep down inside I then long for Spring Break!

The end of this year is almost near. I'm trying to collect my memory of things I want to tuck away in a special place. I'm also gathering what I've learned from certain elements of 2006 that I am glad to leave behind. I want to be sure to start 2007 on the right foot!
My hopes are that Dan & I will step into 2007 walking at the same pace. I hope we support each other through our new personal goals. As a family, I hope we remember to pick our battles, remember to appreciate our differences, remember to be patient with each other, remember to be kind to one another and always remember to laugh. I also hope we continue to look up & appreciate mornings like this one.

The Begin Kids - Christmas 2006

Even though I warned them this picture will go on our blog...the two couldn't resist!





Jesse (Jessup), Oliver, Breana & Nicolas.



...looks like Game-Night is at the Nickell's next month!
















Breana, Nicolas & Oliver playing "Mouse Trap".



This is what goes on while you're downstairs cooking!

Olo & Jessup...................................................and Breana



Pictures by Kaitlin.

Quijance Christmas

The Quijance Christmas was celebrated early this December (however, :( without Teresa's family.) Unfortunately only a few blurry pictures were taken of the girls and there were no family shots to share. Mom & Dad decided to spend the holidays in Washington w/ the Quijance clan. They arrived in Washington the day of the huge storm with 70-90 mph winds...




Pictures compliments of Uncle Jimmy the great.

Christmas 2006 at the Nickell's

Dan, Christine, Cynthia & Mia gathered around the kitchen cooking - there was Christine & Bill's Talapia, Dan's Potatoes au gratin, brussel sprouts, green beans, Mia's onion tart, Cynthia's cole slaw and Mom B's desserts. Everything was delicious! The kitchen smelled wonderful and the house was warm w/ love & memories.


While some were in the kitchen, others were in the front room by the fire & piano absorbed in music & conversation.












After the Wigilia with the oplatki, we gathered around the table.

Jesse, Dan, Cynthia, Melissa, Mia & Oliver.





Kaitlin & Breana.








All pictures for the Christmas posts were taken by Kaitlin.