Way More Snow!

We are finally venturing out of our home after the massive storm that hit on Friday and Saturday. Michael has been shoveling like mad. He measured over 20 inches on our back deck. We don't remember ever seeing this much snow! Noah's favorite part is eating it and sledding, of course. We were soaking up all being snowed in together - making cookies and hot drinks, watching "The Nutcracker," singing carols and celebrating advent. So excited to be looking forward to a white Christmas!

Ethan's 1st Touch of Snow!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

Gingerbread Houses with Lisa, Gray, and baby Tate

Messiah Sing-Along at Old Cabell Hall

Warmhearth Christmas Tree Farm, Madison, VA

Our First Snow!!!

40th

We spent Thanksgiving with my parents in North Carolina this year. The kids and I had just over a week on the farm with Mom and Dad, as Mom came to get us while Michael was away for a conference and had to teach a couple more days before coming. It was wonderful to be with them for that time and help out a bit as we prepared for Thanksgiving.

What my parents didn't know was that we were also preparing for a surprise 40th Anniversary party for them, that Saturday. Their actual anniversary was November 1st and while a little belated, we just couldn't let this anniversary go by without getting to do something special to encourage them. We had to tell them it was happening the evening of Thanksgiving because my grandmother was coming from Minnesota the next day and staying with them for a couple weeks, but they were still SO shocked and surprised to hear about it all. We had a lot of help from some of my parents' dear friends to organize it all and we hosted it at their church. The event went splendidly and they were so encouraged by the group of people that came - some of their closest friends and my Aunt, Uncle, and cousins were all there. We missed my sister and her family, though. Cindy has a new job as a photographer at the Biltmore Estate, in Asheville, NC and was scheduled to work the whole weekend. We need to get down there and visit them!!!

All in all, God blessed that time greatly and it was beautiful.

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

It's been too long

Wow - I think this might have been the longest stint that we haven't posted anything....Instead of playing catch-up, we're just going to post some pictures to summarize the craziness and the fun.

Ethan meets his other Great-Grandma!

Preschool Turkey shirt

Santa on the park bench - Noah said he wanted "a policeman suit with handcups, so I can catch all the bad guys and put them in jail."

At the Downtown Heritage Parade with Baba before she brought us

with her to NC for Thanksgiving

Noah and his "Best Cutie Pie," Aney

Noah's new book nook

This used to be mine...

Clifford week at preschool

From our sweet new neighbor, Miss Shirley

GO Dukes!

At the Harvest Festival at one of Michael's schools