Christmas Card Decisions

This year's Christmas card making was especially enjoyable. In the end when we had to decide on what picture to use for the cards, we could not. We chose two this year. Here they are:



Coming in a close third place was the card below:


Another option that did not make it:


I was able to add all the graphics and effects in the photos using picknik.com. Try it out! The nativity photo was taken at a life size manger scene at US Steel Tower, the building where I work. Tuff and I were not allowed to go into the scene so our friends Mitch and Leigh helped us out. They took the pictures of the nativity, then snapped shots of us separately in full costume, and finally photoshopped us into the scene. Thanks Mitch and Leigh!

The Christmas sweater pictures were in our house using wrapping paper as a fake wallpaper background.

On Thursday, December 16th we went to the Steelers Christmas party. This year we got a picture with Santa. Yes I am holding a giant poinsettia plant. They were the table decorations that we could take home.

Same day as the Christmas party Tuff won the Steelers locker room pool championship. He came into the finals as last seed and came home with the championship (http://twitpic.com/3ghi11). .

This past weekend our friend Carolina visited from Miami. She has never been to Pittsburgh and always wanted to visit so we hosted her at our house and took her around Pittsburgh to see the sights.


Of course we took a trip to the top of Mount Washington to snap some photos of Pittsburgh.


The Duquesne Incline.



This one is looking back towards our neighborhood.


Senior Pic Remake
Please scroll down to view the Senior Pic Remake and the senior pic.

Christmas Happenings

December first was our first official snow on the ground. The picture below is of the snow taken from our kitchen window.


Also sometime after Thanksgiving Tuff and I bought our Christmas tree. It stands a proud one foot tall.


On December third we attended the Steelers Chaplain Kevin and Jenny Jordan's fundraiser. The night was wonderful, including a true size chocolate football.



A highlight from the night was we got to spend time with our friend Corwin, who was visiting from Miami. He is Director of Pro Ministries for Athletes in Action. While we were in Miami he was the Chaplain for the Dolphins and also lead us through pre-marriage counseling.


Also at the event were more friends, the Simons and Grishams. We love these couples.


On the sixth Tuff attended a CPR certification class. He passed his test and is certified. I am so proud of him.


Then more recently on Thursday we attended our small groups' Christmas party, hosted by the Thorpes. Included in the night was a white elephant gift exchange which brought many laughs, including when Tuff opened his gift, 'A Mother's Guide to Breastfeeding.' It was later stolen by a mommy to be. Thank you Kyndal for providing this photo.


A group shot of the girls.


All the group. You may be able to tell the theme was ugly Christmas sweater (no offense to those who may own similar sweaters).


The last gift of the night was from me and the only choice left for Elizabeth. It was a Snuggie and to our surprise, Elizabeth was genuinely thrilled to get it.


Tuff is still rehabbing his shoulder and also getting back into shape. His goal for this week is to run a six minute mile. He has been working on this for the last few weeks and almost did it Friday but had to stop at .8 miles. Pretty good for a non-endurance athlete!

A Pittsburgh Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving started for me by volunteering as a course marshal for the 20th annual Turkey Trot, a 1-mile, 3K, and 5-mile race through downtown Pittsburgh Thanksgiving morning benefiting the YMCA.

The picture below is of the 1-mile fun run. It was about 40 degrees and pouring rain. Fun!
(Pittsburgh Gazzette)


I marshaled from 7am-11am. When I got home I was cold and tired so I put some water on the stove for some tea. While waiting for the tea kettle to whistle I fell asleep and below is the result.


I am very lucky I did not burn the house down. The kettle melted to the stove top and needless to say the kettle had no more water left.

We went to our pastor's house and had a wonderful Thanksgiving meal with his family and a few other couples who do not have family in Pittsburgh either.



Doug carving the turkey.


Joe and Tuff playing Steelers Connect 4.


The food was delicious.


Mid November we attended Charlie Batches Foundation event, In the Pocket. Below is a picture of Tuff, Charlie and myself.


At this event, the players compete against the event attendees in billiards, ping pong and poker.


Our Steelers women bible study through a surprise baby shower. Five of the wives that attend study are pregnant.




Since the shower two of the wives had their babies!

Senior Pic Remake
Please scroll down to view the Senior Pic Remake and the senior pic.

From In the Pocket event playing ping-pong Tuff had to stop for a senior pic remake.

Tuff was Quite the Character

We spent Halloween at Blitz, the high school ministry. Tuff took a few hours to prepare for his character. Can you guess who he is preparing to be in the picture below?


The night is over and Tuff is still in character. With the exception of the hat and fake facial hair, his costume is hand made.


Jack Sparrow for one more picture before the makeup and fake facial hair comes off.


Good news. I passed my ACSM Certified Personal Trainer exam. Now I can start training clients at work.

We took a break from our usual Thursday night small group study and had a house warming party at the Fleck's new home.

October was great and I believe November will be just as good. Love you all.

Life in Pittsburgh

We have been staying busy and getting around the city. The last few weeks the weather has been pretty nice so our scooters got a lot of miles in. In the picture above and below is our friend Meaghan. Tuff geared her up for a scooter ride. No that is not her skull cap.


The first week of October we attended Steelers day at the Zoo. They let us come after hours and interact with the animals. It was so cool. Below is Victoria, a very sweet elephant, who was nice enough to pose with us.


Feeding the giraffes was my favorite.



Behind the scenes where the lions are fed and sleep. All the lions but one were pets at one point in their lives before they came to the Pittsburgh Zoo. Their meat of choice is horse meat from Nebraska.



The zoo day ended with dinner in the aquarium area.



Last Wednesday we attended a Penguins hockey game in their new arena. The new arena has lots of attractions including a big screen where you can look like a hockey player.


Or fan......?



This month you may notice many NFL players wear pink to support Breast Cancer Awareness. Last night we attended Bid For Hope, hosted by Heath and Katie Miller. The event benefited Glimmer of Hope, a foundation committed to finding a cure for Breast Cancer.

Heath and Katie (photo from Steelers website)


Brett, Tuff and Heath


The Steelers signed autographs for the event (photo from Steelers website)


This picture was online and even though it does not look like we were having a good time, we were. Haha. (photo from Steelers website)


Senior Pic Remake
Please scroll down to view the Senior Pic Remake and the senior pic.