Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas!

The Christmas festivities were wonderful over these past few days. Christmas Eve was held at John and Krysty's new house. They had barely closed on the place a few days earlier and already were opening their house to the family. Regardless of the lack of furniture it was a perfect night filled with love and joy.
The four Kaufman boys.
Christmas morning was quiet with just the two of us in our apartment. We enjoyed unwrapping gifts together while listening to Christmas carols .Fun little gifts sent from Oregon. Thanks Dad!
Christmas day was spent with Christian's family. Dinner was super yummy, as it always is when Christian's mother cooks. The holidays are truly a wonderous time as they bring us closer. It's always such a blessing to have families come together, and this was no exception.
We honestly did not plan on dressing like twins. PromiseGrandma K! Her tender thoughtful gifts bring joy to my heart.My newest cousins!
Let us not forget the true meaning of the holiday.
(Thanks Aunt Irene for my nativity scene!)
We enjoyed every minute of the past few days. We certainly hope you did as well, and that the Christmas Spirit touched your heart. (For our special Christmas message watch the video below!)

Monday, December 22, 2008

Let's Go Giants, Let's Go!

Christian and I went to the New York Giants game and had a super great time! They played the Carolina Panthers, and won in Over Time 34 to 28! This was my first time ever attending an NFL game. The game was exciting and our seats were amazing! We sat 20 rows behind the end zone. How awesome is that!

(check out the video above!)

Before the game we walked around checking out the tailgating scene.

Premo parking spot with our permit pass.
Christian's brother Keith was also at the game with his friend Erik.
Awesome seats in the stadium. (Christian has a soft pretzel in his mouth. hee hee)
There's my Oregonian number 89 Kevin Boss!!!! That's right, he's from Oregon, playing for the Giants, and he's awesome!
There's Eli, and the Giant's Offensive line. Again, need I say how sweet our seats were!
We were so close that we could read the names off the back of the jerseys! Amazing!

Friday, December 19, 2008

Get out the shovels!

Just a quick snippet of the snow that started falling around 10:30 this morning and is still falling at this very moment, five hours later. (You can't really see the flakes in the video because of the size, but I promise you they're there.) We just might have a snowy white Christmas at this rate.
Wahoo for snow!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas!

It happened! It actually happened! Today marks the season's first true snow fall. I saw the first flakes come down this afternoon during lunch while I was watching the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. I glanced out my window and saw the fluffy white flakes floating and spinning in the air with such an elegant dance. It only lasted but a moment. However as Christian and I closed up the office this evening to my wonderment and joy the flakes had returned, only this time they had stuck to the trees, cars, and roof tops. I enjoy the snow so much! It has a way of transforming everything it touches into something shimmering, frosted, and simply beautiful.

Our home with it's first blanket of snow. (Can you see our tree in the window?)
The street to our house.
Happy Winter Everyone!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Christmas time in the city!

What a wonderful day! This afternoon Kathy, (my mother-in-law) brought over two beautiful trees. One for John and Krysty (brother-in-law & sister-in-law who live down stairs) and one for Christian and I. She has such an eye for trees! She always picks out the most perfect ones! I had so much fun trimming the tree with all our cute little decorations! I love this time of year, and having a beautiful Christmas tree a glow is such a joy! Plus, it smells so wonderful. When walking into our apartment you can't help but breath in the fresh pine scent, which of course helps me feel closer to my family in Oregon. Thanks Kathy, you're the best!!!Isn't that the most perfect looking tree you've ever seen?!?
Almost done!
Finished!
With the lights on!! So pretty!
My favorite ornament, a Chiropractor for my Chiropractor! hee hee

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Clavicle, vol. 3, issue: 8

The ever popular clavicle saga looks like it may finally have a deadline. I met with my orthopedic this morning for the eighth time in three months. I saw him a week earlier than scheduled because this past weekend I felt clicking from the plate and was experiencing some discomfort in the shoulder. I was worried that the plate had lifted more and that a screw was sliding in and out of the bone.

Luckily for me, after my x-ray today (number 18 Sheesh... I glow in the dark now!) the lifting is not as bad as my wildly over active imagination thought it was. The bone is almost fused together. There is only a small gap where the break and bone graph are. The Doc. explained to me that now that I can move the arm the "clicking" I hear and feel is a muscle rolling over the plate. The discomfort comes from a few factors, one: the muscle slipping over the plate will cause some pain, and two: just moving the arm that has been anchored to my side for the past three months will undoubtedly be tough.

The biggest news is that he shortened the date when I will have my third (and final!) surgery. We had thought that it would be in June and now he has moved the surgical date to March! I am more than pleased with this new date. We'll get it done, out of the way, and I'll have summer to look forward to. Plus my skin will be back to normal, and I'll be able to walk through a metal detector undetected!

This is all very good news! I'm a happy camper once again.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

All in a day's work

The winter weather has arrived in New Jersey. We haven't received snow, but the cold temps and chilling wind without a doubt let you know that we are in the month of December. Today the wind attempted to disconnect our house from the rest of the world by blowing down our phone line. I guess it didn't get the memo that no one in the building uses the land-line, so its mission failed. However it did make for an interesting moment while Christian and John stood in the street to direct traffic around the downed wire. The adventure lasted maybe five minutes, but those were five bundle-up minutes for the guys.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Happy Birthday Hubby!

Today was Christian's birthday. He had a great day filled with calls from his family, visits with his brothers (and a great conversation over the phone with Luke who lives in New York City), and the joy of his parents sharing the evening together with us.
I baked him a birthday cake, which we both enjoyed. He opened his cards from his family and the gifts sent to him by my dad from Oregon. His patients all wished him well on his special day.
Christian is excited for the new year that is upon him and knows that it will be a year that will be filled with accomplishments and lots of joyous occasions! Happy Birthday Christian!!!

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Boston

Christian and I went on a super spontaneous trip to Boston this weekend. We left Friday night and stayed through Sunday. (Our typical weekend has been boiled down to just a single day, Sunday, as we keep the office open six days a week.) This extremely rare extended weekend presented itself and we couldn't simply allow it to slip by, so we packed a bag and drove four hours north to spend the weekend visiting the "mhar-kets" and eating super tasty "chowda". Enjoy a few photos from our trip.(Above: Self portrait on the T... Boston's subway)
(Above: I found this tree so inspirational. Never give up! Grow your strength no matter what the obstacle may be)(Above: Christian and I walked the entire length of the Freedom Trail. Close to 3 miles!)(Above: Old City Hall)
(Above: Christian thinking about joining the ranks)
(Above: Old world meets new)(Above & Below: Christian and I at Quincy Market)(Above: As if it wasn't hard enough to figure out which way to go! Sheesh!)(Above: WWII Battle ship, also home of the USS Constitution)No visit to Boston is complete without a hot bowl of New England Clam Chowder!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Thanksgiving

Christian and I are thankful for our family, who supports us in everything we do.

I'm thankful for my Popoolie who gave up everything to raise me and did a spectacular job!

Christian is thankful for his parents who have always believed in him and helped him grow into the strong willed man that he is today.

We're thankful for our health, and well being. (Especially me!)

I'm thankful for Christian's education and his ability to help others live up to their optimal health potential.

We're thankful for each other and the love we share together.

We're thankful for our friends and the joy they bring to our lives.

I'm thankful for my on-going pursuit of knowledge, and my stubbornness to never give up.

We're thankful for our faith, and the fulfillment that it brings us.

We're thankful for our future, and the exciting prospects that tomorrow always brings.

(Above: Cobe, Christian's parent's dog)
(Above: Christian's brother Keith)(Above: Christian's Dad and Grandfather)(Above: Christian and his brother Luke)

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Extra, Extra! Read all about it!

Yesterday I went to get checked out by my plastic surgeon. He took out my stitched, and with in a blink of an eye I was free to go! He said the skin looks great, then shook my hand, and walked off into the sunset.... well, into another room.

So one surgeon down, one left.

Today I met with my orthopedic surgeon for an x-ray to see how the bone is healing. He was really impressed with my brand new "baby" skin given to me from my plastic surgeon. The x-rays look great. The plate is staying in for a few more months. (I meet with him again in December, maybe then we'll have an actual date for the final surgery.)

But the big news! TARYN IS ALLOWED TO MOVE HER ARM!!!!!!!! Yahoo!! Wahoo!!! Yippie Skippie!!!! So alright, I'm happy about this, if you couldn't tell. I still have to take it slow. I'm not allowed to lift anything with the arm, no weights, I'm not even suppose to close a door with the arm. But I can start moving it! So lets dust off those joints, get the oil can out, and sign me up for some physical therapy!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Ducks & Crocs

Christian and I went to feed the ducks today with our left over loaf of rye bread. My goodness those ducks were hungry and fearless! They came right up to me and gave me the cutest look, like "Feed me, and only me. Forget about the other ducks, I'm the only one here. Just give the bread, please!" hee hee.

It was also freezing cold. We think the temps were around the low 30's. Christian's Jeep said it was 35 degrees. BUT, our feet were toasty warm because we were sporting our brand new "winter Crocs". I know, I know, Crocs?!? How ugly, right? Well, I once thought so too, however once I slid my little tootsies into these Crocs with a cozy-fuzzy sock-like insert all my distaste for the rubber shoes melted. They are soooo comfy! Christian has a pair and he got a matching pair for me! It's all about the comfort level which is amazing in these shoes!

Don't hate us cause we're comfortable!