I used 4 different types of red paper and cut out circles, used black vinyl to cut out the letters...
...and a big bag from Fossil for the brown, faux wood squares. We had some twine left over from our Christmas tree project, so I strung that across the wall in our dining room.
We bought some snowflake clips last year after Christmas on clearance...they work perfectly to hang the numbers!
Here comes Christmas!!!
Last week, I finished reading The Barbarian Way by Erwin Raphael McManus, and I really enjoyed this book. This was a quick read with 146 pages, I was able to get through it in less than a week. 
There is so much to be thankful for this year, so many ways the Lord has blessed us. Just to name a few; I am very thankful for my wife, family, friends, jobs, vacations and laughter...the list could go on and on.
In fact, one thing Heather and I are doing this year is creating a list of 100 things we are thankful for. I think it will be a great way to reflect and really "look at" all the gift God has given us. I would suggest you try it too, grab some paper and number off to 100...
First, I took the glass out of the frame and cleaned it. The I sprayed water on it followed by two coats of my chrome spray paint. One coat didn't cover as well as I wanted, so I did apply two coats. I did spray the glass with water before each coat and allowed the paint to dry before the second coat.
Heather did a great job with the garland and the candles and we made two square wreaths and a circle wreath to hang.
...and just like that, the tree was lit up with lights and the fireworks began!
We walked around the pond to get a closer look at the giant tree...the fireworks were wonderful!
...and there's the big Christmas tree!
This is a great family event put on by the mall and lite 104.1 radio station, I would highly recommend it to anyone as a great way to start the Christmas season! 
The guys were tasked with making reindeer out of sticks, our inspiration came from these metals sculptures from Pottery Barn.
The gals busy at work, wrapping the trees!
...and the guys successfully made a herd of reindeer!
All different shapes and sizes!
Hudson even decided to help with the crafts, making himself an ornament!
Here are the finished trees that Heather and I made, we used two different sizes of rope/twine and I think they turned out great!
We had a ton of fun crafting for the day and it really got us into the Christmas spirit!
Ryan, Eric and Scott are ready to roll.
After a quick warm up we got ready for the 1st event: 400m run. Last year, we had roughly 25 competitors...this year we had 7. I was reminded by Ryan that the very first year of competition saw 5 compete, so in a way we were getting back to the heart of the competition! 
We did split the 400 up into 2 heats...
The starter explains that it will be a 2 command start, "Runner's set, and then the gun (clap)"
Eric brought home the gold in the 400m, coming in at 59 seconds!
After the 400m we reported our results to the official score keeper and prepared for the standing broad jump.
Ryan, taking upon multiple duties, served as the official score keeper as well, giving us up to the minute results!
Chris takes flight in the broad jump!
Paul nails his landing...
Ryan takes to the air
Here I am stretching out for every inch I can get.
Eric shows up proper long jump form
Joe leaps into the air
Scott stretches out for maximum distance
After the broad jump, it was on to the shot put. Joe tosses the 12 lb shot.
Paul launches the shot put into the air
Chris is next, following shot put form, he gives a loud grunt as he throw the shot!
Ryan tosses the weight into the air
Scott launches the shot put
Eric lets it fly
I take my turn throwing the weight
Then is it onto the bench press (big thanks to Aspen Athletic Club in West Glen for hosting us for the bench press portion of the competition!) Joe, wanting to get this out of the way goes first.
Chris is up next, proudly wearing his SCRC jersey!
and then it's Paul's turn.
Ryan, also wearing his SCRC colors, throws up the weight.
Scott focused on the task at hand throws up the 115 pounds
Lastly, Eric made us all look bad getting 62 reps in the minute time frame!
I didn't get any pictures of the 1500m run, we ran it in one heat, so there wasn't anyone around to take race photos. 
The second exchange zone!
...and the last hand off!
Ryan "pulled" something in his rear causing team 2 to fall behind, so Eric took the opportunity to celebrate his Nygaard Pentathlon victory (two years running)!
As the day draws to a close, we get a competitors photo...
Joe snapped another pic, so I could be in the photo!
Another year down and another successful running of the Nygaard Pentathlon! Big thanks to the SCRC for presenting the event, thanks to Aspen for hosting the bench press and to Valley track for hosting the other events. It was a day filled with the human drama of athletic competition, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. 
