Here are some holiday photos. More to come :)



Brooker's Dog Kobe brimming with Christmas spirit!


Brooker family Christmas tree


Omaha Grandma (Jo Brooker) and Aaron


The stockings were hung (note: Laura's gigantic stocking)


Festive tableware.


Onward! Christmas with the Coles in Merna


Laura and brother Jeff at grandpa's house in Chappell


The boys outside grandpa's house in Chappell


Grandpa's house

We've added links to our facebook photo albums. Check out the links on the sidebar for photos from our wedding and honeymoon.

I went back to work part-time for the software company I worked for in May. I am working everyday from 10am-1pm and I'm happy about it!

One thing Orion does well is design software; another thing is throw parties! We had a full schedule of socializing, lunch at Kona Grill and then back to the office for a ping-pong tournament, rubix cube challenge and white elephant gift exchange.

Here's the whole gang at Kona Grill



The expectant crowd awaiting the gift exchange.

lunch at:


shopping at:


friends for life: holycowdesign gal and missamylynn (center)

Aaron sporting the not-so-ugly gator sweater button up and Heidi decked out in the seasonal cardinal favorite complete with the jingle bell bracelet and earrings.



Abby McNair in fine fashion with horizontal blizzard of snowflakes and reindeer and Laura with, um, regular clothes on.

And finally, not to make you jealous or anything, but 'tis the season for peanut blossoms! Heaps were available for consumption at the ugly sweater party. High point. Yum.

Best friends Monica and Bryan Mueller dedicated their daughter Giana Kae last Sunday at Kearney Efree Church. We spent the day with them and wouldn't have missed this for the world!

Such a sweet baby girl and proud parents (and grandparents!)
Wanted to share a couple photos, please excuse the glass of water ... not much I could do! :)

There it is folks, our tree! Although I'm used to picking out a real tree I'd have to say that this turned out pretty good! :)



Here's the dining room, ready for company! The Nativity Scene on the buffet is from my Mom and Dad and it was so special to put it out. That was always my favorite part of Christmas decorating growing up!





This sled was left behind by the previous owner of the house and we think it adds such charm!



Watch for more presents -- haha I mean pictures! Love you all!

This year we spent Thanksgiving with Aaron's family in Kearney and we dropped in to visit my family in Cozad. Our family has Thanksgiving on a rotation and thankfully it was close enough we got to do it all!!

On my side we caught up with everyone as the dessert was concluding and games were beginning. We socialized for a while and listened to my cousin Kaitlin play a concert for us. you should check out the song "West", we both loved it!

On Aaron's side we enjoyed delicious meals and accommodation for the whole time we were there! There was even a little touch of Christmas -- see my stocking Julie had made for me!



Then, you must have the annual Christmas photo!




And you can be sure we did our fair share of relaxing!



Here's Aaron with the family dog Kobe.
It was wonderful holiday to spend with both of our families. Oh, did we mention we're thankful for you?? WE ARE! LOVE YOU!

non better than



My cousin Conner Fogarty of Bismarck, North Dakota spent his 7th birthday in Omaha with his fam. Luckily I got to partake in the festivities!

We all gathered around to watch Conner blow out his candles.



Aunt Carolyn watching Conner, Riley watching the candles! :) Darling!


Jim with Mac and Ellie looking on.



What a fun party! Happy Birthday Conner!