MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I couldn't wait to hang stockings on our new mantel.

Notice there is one for "Papa" "Mama" and of course, one for "Baby"!

Finally, winter has arrived! Usually I don't look forward to these blustery short days, but this time it's different. I think it is because winter's end holds the greatest event of our lives; the arrival of our little one. Thanksgiving was wonderful, thanks to Lola. She made a feast for 30 and of course, everything was excellent. The next day Ryan left to go hunting for the weekend.

Work has finally slowed down, I only have this weekend and the next, then I am finished. It has been nice, having these past days off. This past weekend I decorated for Christmas and baked some cookies. (Of course all the while listening to my Charlie Brown Christmas music.) I feel this will be the most relaxing Christmas ever. In a week and a half Grandma Ru will be here for the holidays, yah!

Ryan decided on a whim to start renovating the upstairs bathroom now rather than wait for January. If all goes as planned, it should be finished by the end of the month. It's funny, they say an expectant mother goes through a "nesting" period, readying the home for baby. I feel like Ryan has it too, as we hurry and finish these last projects before baby's arrival. By the new year we will have, for the most part, completely renovated our little home. It is so wonderful.

More baby news: this kid has more moves than John Travolta on speed! Baby is constantly moving! On Thanksgiving morning, while he was going at it, I put my fingers on my stomach and met resistance, I think it was a foot or a hand, because the two of us just pushed against each other, kinda like holding hands. These words can not describe it justly, it's amazing!

I finally chose the nursery theme: twinkle stars, bunnies and lambs. Tomorrow Mom, Lisa, and I are doing arts and crafts. I plan to make a mobile, Mom will sew the nursery curtains, and Lisa will paint a watercolor to dress up the walls. I wanted the room to have personal touches, not a lot of store bought over-done stuff. I did buy the bedding and some artwork, but I am trying to refrain from getting anything else.

Wednesday evening starts our Birthing classes. Ryan will finally learn where babies come from. Hope he can handle it.

BUNDLE UP, CAUSE BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!

The Matschulat Family Thanksgiving 2007.

Ryan, Ryan H. and Mark went hunting in Greenridge Thanksgiving weekend. Here they are enjoying yummy leftovers I packed them.

Ryan and Ryan were very successful that weekend. Sorry if this offensive to anyone, just a day-in-the-life at the Winterstein's.

Good-bye "bone bathroom"






Another "before" shot. We are keeping the sink and hardware, but everything else is gone.






Demolition Man! Removing plaster walls is tough work, it took Ryan a full day.










The first piece of drywall. See the 2x4 to the right of Ryan? We found "Ryan" written in pencil in his own 5 year old handwriting. Cool, huh? Kinda like a time-capsule. Bill & Lola enclosed a window back in the early 80's. I guess little Ryan wanted to make his mark.

Sheesh, I look like my mom!

MUTTER!