baby it's cold outside...

{tuckered out after an awesome Christmas morning}

{Whitaker's first time going swimming}

{bundled up and busting out}

{Whitaker's #1 fan}

{tired after a cold morning at the Kriskindel festival}

{Oma Great}

caught on camera...

Christmas Letter 2008

Dear Friends,

What a year! 3 apartments, 2 states and 1 kid later we finally reach the close of 2008. Joel and I can't help but try to remember what life was like just one year ago before we knew that our world would be turned upside down by becoming parents - besides getting a lot more sleep! This year has been an incredible blessing and has provided us opportunities to grow and work together as a team navigating the challenges of a major move, pregnancy and now parenthood.

Thank you to all of our family and friends who have given us the encouragement, support and occasionally, a babies 'r' us gift card, along the way! We don't know how we would have done it without you.

May this Christmas be a memorable one spent with family and in remembrance of the gift that our Heavenly Father has given us by sending His only begotten Son down to earth as a child to become a Savior to all men!

All our love,
Jacqueline, Joel and Whitaker

Milestone: Rolling Over, 11 weeks

(we're starting the weight lifting at an early age)

at a glance

Monday:B&K
Today we had visitors. Ben and Kacy, a couple I've know since college, came and spent the afternoon with Whitaker and I. They were in town for the holidays and it was soo good to spend time with them and catch up. There's something so familiar and "home" that comes with spending time with old friends.
Tuesday:Tummy Time
Whitaker and I headed over to see miss charlie ann today. Ms. Sylvia's friend who was in town helping out is an occupational therapist. She kindly reminded me the importance of tummy time (near sighted vision, bilateral movements, arm and wrist strength, etc.) Since then we've been working really hard to incorporate as much 'tummy time' in to our day as possible. If this kid is gonna join the NFL right out of HS, we need to start getting him ready ASAP.

Wednesday:Hello Sunshine
Today we headed off to Florida to spend Thanksgiving with Joel's family. By this time I was craving some time south of the mason dixon. Everything went so smoothly getting there. This was Whit's 4th plane ride... this kid has flown more than me by the time I was 16.

Thursday:Giving Thanks!
Thanksgiving went great. It was just us, Joel's folks, and his brother Andrew. We spent a lot of time outside enjoying the gorgeous weather. (Whitaker start sleeping 10+ hours at night!!!)
Friday:Pickle Ball
We celebrated Joel's 27th birthday. The community that Joel's parents live in is like a day camp for adults. They taught us to play pickle ball. It's almost like ping-pong and tennis combined. SOO FUN! At one point we had the whole family out on the courts playing together.
Saturday:Turkey Run
Joel and Grampa Samples headed down to Daytona Beach for a huge car show called Turkey Run. Joel came home looking like a lobster from all the sun, but he had a great time. Meanwhile, the rest of had a lazy day together. (Whitkaer masters the art of sucking his thumb!)
Sunday:Airport Adventure
Today was a scene out of a National Lampoon's movie. Our flight was delayed 6 hours, not including the almost 2 hours that we were at the airport to catch our original flight "on time". Screaming babies, frazzled parents, bad airport food, and "Mele Kalikimaka" on repeat, almost un-did all the relaxation that we had acquired that week.


Whitaker and I are back on a plane headed to Pittsburgh on Thursday to get ready for Ilse's 30th birthday party on Saturday. This holiday season is already flying by!