In October I started a new job working for a team of hydrogeologists. It's a step up for me as I'm no longer doing any bookkeeping and just strictly focusing on analysis. My official title is "Financial Controller" and I get to spend hours pouring over the numbers looking for things that aren't balancing or mistakes that were made somewhere along the way. I also spend a great deal of time finding new and interesting ways to present numbers to management in order to impart some piece of knowledge about the financial health of the company that they were not previously aware of. GSI is about three times as big as either of my two previous employers which adds levels of complexity that I haven't experienced before. It's a lot of fun and I'm really enjoying the work as well as all the new people.
Above is the view from my office that I get to stare at whenever I need a little distraction from my numbers (it's hard to see but Mount Hood is off there in the distance). I'm quite pleased to sit next to a window for the first time in my career, and a view of the Willamette and Mt. Hood is more than I've ever dreamed of! Daily I can hear the sounds of children playing out in Waterfront Park and once I even spied Gretel walking by on her rope of other 2-year olds from school! I feel incredibly lucky to have been handed this opportunity to advance my career. It's my first real lesson in the value of a personal network and that integrity and honesty in your work will really pay off.
Gretel and Ziggy have been spending some these dark gray January days reading and napping with their pals.
We've taken the opportunity to watch a few Disney movies in the evenings. Below, Gretel and Pops are captivated by Mary Poppins (or as Gretel calls it, the Dirty Man Movie).
We had a wonderful Christmas! Above, our tree at home. We headed to the log house in Eugene for three days of fun with the family. Gretel and Soleo, below, have a snack.
All the kids got to open new pajamas on Christmas Eve.
'Twas the night before Christmas.....
The next morning was spent opening stockings and gifts. 
Lots of pickles and preserves were exchanged!
Gretel opens her new easel as Grandma D and Grandpa John look on.
Little June Bug in a new Christmas dress!
We are nothing if not a family of nerds, and here is the proof! Gretel, above, as the bearded lady.
The new red rubber boots have been a popular item, with or without clothes!
Reading to Baby and eating breakfast over the heater.
New Carharts and new toilet seat!
Casey and Gretel went to the zoo on Veterans Day and met Sally, Orion and Soleo there. It was a wet, chilly day, but everyone had fun all the same. 
Gretel's class took a field trip to the Portland Fire Station #1. Gretel is the short one in the yellow jacket. Gretel has been wearing big girl panties at school and went potty at the fire station with no accident!
Above: Touching the Jaws of Life.
Gretel was a monkey for Halloween this year. She had a great time trick-or-treating (below with our friend Jaime) and also enjoyed answering the door to hand out candy to kiddos. 
We also attended a Halloween party with folks from our birthing class and there was a pinata! Here's a video of Gretel at bat, along with a monkey making snowflakes.