Merry Christmas!

It is very wet and cold here, and our lack of Christmas decorations (including a tree) and extended family is making me a little depressed. We did make it to the zoo this morning, but one of us (me) doesn't own a raincoat, so it wasn't really as fun for the whole family as it could have been. Yes, I know, I need a raincoat because I live in the rainiest place in the continental US, but have you ever tried shopping for clothes while you are pregnant? Not cool. Plus, how the heck do you keep those little toddler hands warm? Even after 20 minutes in the warm snake and turtle house, Nory's hands were like ice cubes. I know we will get used to it and learn to dress ourselves appropriately in time, as well as (hopefully) discover more interesting indoor activities. But needless to say the Kleins are having a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit this year.

We did celebrate Christmas by buying ourselves a present: a house. We just mutually accepted this morning and of course everything is contingent on inspection and loans and etc etc etc, but I'm still really excited about it! I can't wait to own a home again. And to have my own kitchen stuff out of storage and into a kitchen. This one is our "forever" house - big and beautiful and has an amazing view and everyone is invited to celebrate with us once we move in (assuming, you know, that everything works out). Maybe a Dan-turns-30-party in February...? Of course moving from our tiny Santa Barbara house to this house means that only about 1/5th of the rooms will have furniture in them for a while, so be prepared to stand and mingle when you come!

We took these pictures in Santa Barbara right before we moved, and framed them as Christmas presents for the grandparents. I thought you might enjoy them too - even though seeing the beach makes me a little homesick for Santa Barbara.