Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

It has been a great 2008 for the Houstons! In our attempt to keep up with technology, we decided to put our Christmas letter online (and it's eco-friendly!) In January we made our annual trek to CO for skiing with friends and family. We had amazing snow and great times! Tara completed her first half marathon in February with her good friend Stacy and despite not really training, they made great time! Spring brought news of a new baby on the way, a trip to OK for Easter and Caleb's second birthday. Grandpa Durne and Grandma Jackie took us all to Disneyland to celebrate. We had a wonderful time at the 'happiest place on earth'.

May brought an end to another academic year for Tara and Michael at Pepperdine and Azusa Pacific. Little did we know that would be our last academic year in California for some time. In June, Michael got offered and accepted a position as the Associate Dean of Students at his Alma mater, Southern Nazarene University, in Bethany, OK. We decided to make the 1500 mile move from the beach to the plains. It was a very difficult decision but in the end the positives of Tara being able to stay at home with the kids, being able to buy a house, in a great neighborhood with excellent schools, and being within 30 minutes of all of Michael's family won out. We miss Malibu and friends in Cali often, but know that God has us in OK during this season of our lives. We closed on our first home in July and Michael began another academic year in August at SNU.

Fall brought many transitions (OK weather changes very quickly) and we slowly settled into our home. Caleb loved actually having weather, something he never got to experience in Cali. Great grandma Albie and Grandma Jackie came in late September and it was a great visit. The end of October brought Halloween week and fall parties. Finally on November 11th our second son was born, Nathan MacIntyre Houston. He was (is) healthy and pretty opposite from Caleb as babies go (sleeps, doesn't fuss too much, pretty laid back, etc). It was great having Durne and Jackie here for the weeks following his birth through Thanksgiving. Caleb had fun with the grandparents and really is making the transition to being a big brother very well. We have to keep reminding ourselves he is just 2 1/2 but all in all he is great.

Now the cold of winter has set in (something new for all of us, Caleb didn't wear shoes or socks for that matter until he was almost two!), and the first OK holiday season is upon us. The house and tree are lighted (not in Griswald style but it will have to do), work is done for a few weeks, and it is time to spend some good quality, family time. If you are new to this blog, check out the videos and photo album on the left. I try to upload pics at least twice a month. We hope you and your family are well and enjoying the season. You can also keep up with us on Facebook, both Tara and Michael have accounts...let's be friends :)!

One month Old

Nathan - 2008-11-23 15-09-35
Originally uploaded by Houstons

Nathan is one month old. It is amazing how fast a month has gone! Nathan is really a great baby minus the gas. We still are battling that a bit, but luckily not at night. He is giving us 3-4 hour stretches which is wonderful, and is really a calm baby. He is getting more and more alert every day.

Caleb is also doing great! He has made the transition to big brother very well. He always says things like, "he is cute" or "look how sweet he is". We are truly blessed indeed!

Thanksgiving was great with the Mizes, Relva, Krista and Mitchell. Jackie and Durne were able to be here for about three weeks and it was such a blessing! There are many pics of them in the photo album. Check out the photo album on the left for 30 more pics during the first month.

Christmas Vacation Anyone

Christmas Vacation Anyone
Originally uploaded by Houstons

My first experience with putting lights on a house went really well! I didn't have to kick santa OR his deer. It was really fun getting to put the lights up inside and out!