Happy New Year!!

We are enjoying our first week home together in a long time, and a great start to 2011 so far. Our trip to Mexico was fabulous - very relaxing, interesting, and the perfect combination of sun, water, lounging, food, exploration and great company. Check out my mom's blog for pictures (I'm feeling lazy, and I love the ones she posted!) http://2010latinamericaadventures.blogspot.com/ Be sure to look beyond the first page for 2010 posts - we had a few great days before the New Year as well!

The two weeks leading up to our Mexico trip, Greg and I traveled a LOT. We had a wonderful visit to Gainesville, FL to attend Greg's brother Chris's graduation from University of Florida. We enjoyed several great meals, an awesome nature walk where we saw birds, turtles, alligators and snakes, and some quality time with the Brink side of the family before the holiday. Congratulations, Chris!!

We went straight to Oregon from Florida, where we FINALLY got to share our "Ninja Christmas" secret. My brother Isaac has been living and working in Africa for the past couple of years, and flew in to make a surprise appearance for Christmas. We helped coordinate the arrangements, and Isaac was at the airport waiting when my parents and Carlos arrived to pick Greg and me up. We were making our way to the baggage claim area when Isaac walked up and said something like, "the car's going to be pretty crowded." There was shock, laughter, tears, hugs, and a very whole, happy family leaving the airport that night. The car was crowded, but we didn't mind.

From the airport, we drove to Lebanon for a great visit with my Grandpa Dick, before returning to The Dalles on the 20th. We then had most of a work week - a very busy work week - in The Dalles, only broken up by a few relaxing nights at home, and one fun night out with my friends Hailey and Sierra (and the boys, too). We drove to Pendleton for Christmas Eve, and Christmas morning celebrations. What fun!

Now we are back to the grind, taking stock of where we are and where we want to be and go in 2011. Neither of us really made New Year's Resolutions, but we each have a few things in mind that might make us more happy/healthy/fulfilled/productive. We feel pretty lucky together already, and hope to continue with the the health and happiness (see, I DO know how to spell it) we were blessed with in 2010.

Happy New Year everyone!! Ha. I typed that during a huge yawn. It must be 2:00 on a Friday afternoon, huh?

:)