I had a really great Christmas weekend. It was the first time in quite some time that I had a taken a group of days off and took the time to really enjoy my family and friends, work around the house, do the little things that I don’t always make as much time for as I would like. The major holiday of the year is past us, now we are closing in on the end of the year. By its nature this is a reflective time of year where we look at where we have been and where are we going. I want to finish well.

My daughter asked for a tractor and farm animals for Christmas, not what I was expecting, but Santa got the message. Thanks Auntie Kendra for the delivery

For me part of finishing well is making time for setting goals in the New Year. As we enter into this last week of the year there is always talk of New Years Resolutions. Resolutions are great, but I think to really gain perspective they have to be evaluated goals. Where have I been? Where am I at? Where am I going? These are the questions I try to ask myself. There are a lot of aspects of my life that I make part of this process: personal, spiritual, relationships, physical and business.

While we don’t always know what the future holds, having some targets to shoot for has been key for my personal development. In spite of challenges or other impediments, what I do really want to achieve? What is the life I really want to live? Where can I find the resource to get me started heading in that direction? I think we should all be asking ourselves questions like these.

Even our dog, Winston, got into the Christmas spirit. Note the plate and glass in the foreground. He decided to be Santa’s helper. Winston decided to help out by eating all the cookies off the plate while we were out of the room… I guess he kind of deserved a little treat.

Looking at 2010, there will be challenges and there will be opportunities. It’s been said that life is not a sprint, it is a marathon. As you come around this corner that we call the New Year take the time to evaluate this leg of the race, finish this section well and map out where you are going.

This quote by Benjamin Franklin really struck me the other day and I thought it timely:

“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.”

Merry Christmas! Brian is taking a week off from blogging so I decided to take a stab at contributing to our Landed Gentry Blog. I’m not nearly as poetic or profound as Brian, so I will be sharing several photos from our holiday celebrations this month including our company Christmas party.

We had such a wonderful time getting together last week to celebrate Christmas with our LG team. We held a potluck at the office Thursday night. We enjoyed great company, fabulous food and drinks and had a blast playing some fun games. To mix things up we held a “home” building contest using Legos. We split up into 3 teams and each team had to construct the best home possible within a 15 minute time frame. I was amazed at what they came up with…the most creative and ingenious house designs ever! Take a look at the pictures below…one even included an airplane landing zone.

Steve Baughn showing off his teams masterpiece from the home building contest!

Everyone hard at work designing and constructing the best home.

The Gentry Ladies - Kendra, Alexis and Nancy

Alexis and Brian memorializing the festivities with his new flip recorder...maybe we will post some live footage?

The entire Landed Gentry team - Barb Adams and Nancy Gentry aren't pictured.

Some of the other activities we have enjoyed this holiday season are the Skagit Young Professionals Christmas party as well as the Leadership Skagit Holiday Celebration. Both were held at Skagit Valley Gardens amidst the beautiful decorations and Christmas Trees. Brian’s little girl, Bella, joined us and had fun playing around in the winter wonderland…I think Brian had some fun too!

Brian and Bella being silly at the Skagit Young Professionals Christmas Party.

Miss Bella...Isn't she cute!

I was also honored to be invited by the homeowners at Big Fir Active Adult Community to join them for their 2^nd annual Christmas party last week. It was a lovely event held at Hillcrest Lodge in Mount Vernon. I must say…that bunch knows how to throw a party! I truly enjoyed spending time with everyone and getting to know them a little better…what a wonderful group of people.

Taking part in these festive celebrations reminds me how much friends and family mean to me. Taking time to relax and to enjoy these incredible people in my life and my family’s life has been a true joy. I encourage you to take time out of your hectic day to enjoy the ones you love and care about this holiday season too!

Kendall, Nancy, Brian, myself and the team at Landed Gentry wish you and your family a Very Merry Christmas!

All our best,

Kendra

Kendra Gentry-Decker is Vice President for Landed Gentry Homes and Communities.  She serves as the Sales and Marketing director as well as the primary community relations contact for existing Landed Gentry neighborhoods.   You can reach Kendra at Kendra@LandedGentry.com.