Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Stones!

Instead of sending something by snail-mail this year, we thought we'd make a blog entry and give y'all a few photos to look at (you may click each image for a larger view). We celebrate Christmas as a family of five this year. It's been a challenging year with Jeff making a minor job transition, and trudging through tough economic times. Money is tight but we feel SO rich with all that God has blessed us with. In addition to the Photography Business (http://www.jefferystone.com) and continuing to broker some cars, Jeff is working with the Youngstedt's group (http://www.youngstedts.com) as an account manager acquiring fleet business for the Goodyear stores around the Twin Cities and the Maaco store in Chanhassen. Alicia is a great mom and wife and keeps us all clean, fed, (relatively) organized and on schedule. What are we doing this weekend, honey? She is so thankful for the support (and cooking!) of neighbors, friends and family as we continue to transition into life with our "three ring circus".




Baby Nolan, born August 18th, has been such a wonderful and sweet baby. He is starting to find his voice and loves to smile and giggle with his sisters. He's been a very mellow baby (perhaps because his parents are a little more mellow this time?) and he is a great example for his big sisters (not one naughty word or whining yet!). Alicia and I can hardly hold him enough, and the girls... "Stop Smothering Him" is a common phrase around our home. Now that our "quiver" is officially full, we find ourselves wishing we could FREEZE time with Nolan. He certainly is not allowed to start crawling until he is at least 15 months old... :-)



Amelia, our second child is a little "fire-cracker". She is 3 and would like you to think she is a bit older. "I'm 3-and-a-half, you can come to my birthday party", she often says. Like her older sister, she is extremely verbal. If you ever call our home, be prepared for a conversation with a 3 or 5-year-old as they have taken over the "front desk". The other evening we found the phone buzzing in the kitchen. Amelia had answered the phone 45 minutes earlier and never bothered to give it to anyone. I hope it was one of those telemarketers calling during the dinner hour. "Is your mommy there... Hello... Hello....." If it was you... Sorry. She's never short on drama, and we love her dearly even if we need some "down time" to pull ourselves together after one of her outbreaks. Despite the drama, she always seems to know when to say: "I love you mommy and daddy" punctuated by her adorable dimples.





Anika, our oldest child started Kindergarten this fall. It's hard to believe it's been over 5 years since we became parents. Grandma and Grandpa... for what it's worth, we now believe you that it goes by quickly. Anika is an absolute joy to be around. She is learning to read, enjoying new friends and doing well in school, and is growing in faith and knowledge of God. She often prays that she would be a "light" to her friends at school and in our neighborhood. Anika loves to explore the outdoors and likes to exercise. She is grateful for her younger siblings... especially when she needs someone to enter a room and turn the light on before her. We're workin' on that whole bravery thing.




FOUR Generations. This photo was taken last month when we dedicated Nolan to the Lord. Pictured from left to right is: Howard Sutton (my mom's father - 81), Paul Stone (my father -56), Nolan J. Stone (my son - 4mo), Dr. Stanley Stone (my dad's father- 93), and me. We are grateful for every day we have with Godly men to influence us. Such an amazing heritage.

We know times are tough for so many. We've certainly experienced difficult times this year, yet we are confident that the God who made us is in control of all things. We don't claim to understand all that has happened among us this year, but we will keep looking up. This Christmas season serves as a great reminder to us that money and things make lousy "gods", and that the greatest gift of all is Jesus. May God bless you and your family in 2009. -The Stones