Reason #1:
Not only did we
decide where Telfer should do his residency (hand-wringing was involved), but God
has given us such a nice place to live while we are here! We love being
homeowners.
Reason #2:
Telfer successfully
graduated from medical school. I know there wasn’t much doubt of his success,
but it was so wonderful to reach an ending point.
Reason #3:
Cora Rose, my
newest niece, was born in April. I love calling Alyssa to catch up on the
latest Eden and Cora stories.
Reason #4:
My college friends.
This summer and fall was such a great time. I flew to Boise for two different weddings (Kori and
Andy and Missy and Jason) and a baby shower (Melissa Roskam). These girls,
RaChelle, Anna, Kori, and Melissa, are on my short list of favorite and
important people. 
Reason #5:
The last one is basic,
but nevertheless significant after a year of watching blatant tragedy.  I am so thankful and humbled to be healthy, married
to someone I wouldn’t trade in for the world, living in a home that I delight
in, and blessed with time to read (very important).

Thanks for visiting
our blog – click on “archives” and you can read/look at pictures documenting
our past year. 

My “year in review” must inevitably consist of two major endeavors: the house and starting residency. Buying our first house and working hard to improve it and make it our own has been a blessing from God and even more fun that I would have imagined – not that I didn’t get tired of painting at times or wish for a newer house when our plumbing acted up for the fourth time in as many months!  There has definitely been a learning curve on most if not all of our projects – but that is true of most things and certainly overlaps with medical education.  My graduation from medical school and transition into residency has actually been very smooth and I have enjoyed and felt ready for the challenges I have been faced with – with the possible exception of being on overnight call every four days for 4 of the past 6 months =)  I am already half-way done with one year of internal medicine before going on to three years of anesthesia training and the time is already flying by.  I am blessed to be learning so much and meeting new friends, and the paycheck sure is nice instead of tuition – now Andrea can’t claim, at least not accurately, to be the only one gainfully employed and bringing home “the bacon”.

Well, we are certainly enjoying ourselves in our new house. Telfer spent Sunday afternoon/evening (after dark naturally) on the ladder putting Christmas lights up. Before he could actually hang/plug in the lights, he had to install an electrical outlet in the front of the house. My dad (the real electrician) would be proud (and more than a little scared).

Picture 1: Telfer looking just a little bit happy with his evening accomplishments. Picture 2: The final product. Picture 3: View from the couch.

Picture 1: the bird. RaChelle and I made the same turkey this year – and we both had great success. We jointly highly recommend it. The recipe is from Epicurious. Picture 2: Austin & Adrielle all dressed up. Picture 3: The Thanksgiving Table. Picture 4: Nate & Claire.

Telfer and I hosted our first Griffith Family Thanksgiving
last week. Our house was definitely the happening spot – everyone, including
two significant others, was there, notably excepting Burton & Tracie (we missed you!). The
food was very good (if I do say so myself) and the company was exceptional.

Usually we are pretty good about taking pictures, but our camera again was not working that well and Telfer and I were pretty busy (I am unbelievably glad that today is Friday and the weekend is here – I need to rest from the holiday).

I am hoping to get more pictures from Chris or I can scan in a few of the prints…but here are a few for now: Picture 1: Eleanor visiting her favorite star on Hollywood Boulevard (Celine Dion’s). Picture 2: Claire and Nate at California Pizza Kitchen. Picture 3: Chris taking our picture at California Pizza Kitchen. Picture 4: The opening curtain at the Pantages Theater (Chris & Mendy took us to see a live-action version of White Christmas).