I don’t have the heart to take down the Christmas decorations today so it will have to wait until tomorrow. As I looked at the kids’ tree yesterday I reflected on the many wonderful Christmas’ we have had already and the many more to come. Each year, since my kids each were born they have received a Hallmark dated ornament. Last year we had accumulated so many that they we needed a new tree just to hold them all. Their first 5 Christmas’ were a series and then after that I pick a special one for each of them. As Daniel gets older it gets harder but it’s still fun to shop for them. I took pictures of their very first ornaments and then the ones they received this year.
[merry christmas]
[let it snow let it snow, let it snow]
Snow in Virginia…
[getting ready]
We are slowly getting ready for Christmas. Normally we are completely decorated the Friday after Thanksgiving but we ended up going to the beach for the long weekend and we are still trying to catch up. So we finished up the kids tree late last week and we finished up our main tree tonight while watching “White Christmas.” Finished up Christmas cards this week as well.
Now to start shopping…
[new addition]
[beach]
We spent four days at the beach (Nags Head) for Labor Day weekend. Had a great timeof fun and relaxation.
[washington dc]
We spent the day in Washington DC yesterday after visiting the Lego Store in Potomac Mills (for Dalton’s birthday shopping). It was a nice day but hot! Fun family day.
[wol camp 2009]
Spent the last week in Schroon Lake New York taking Daniel to Word of Life Camp. This is his second year and was much better for him this year. He had great counselors and cabin mates. George and I spent our days going back and forth between the Island (teens), the Ranch (1st-6th graders) and the Inn (where we stayed). We would get up and have breakfast with Chris J and Chris P. Then we would head to the Island for their morning bible hour with Mike Calhoun. We then went to the Ranch for Daniel’s bible hour with Ric Garland. We would eat lunch at the Ranch and then spend the afternoons at the Inn and having dinner there. The weather wasn’t great…cloudy, rainy and chilly but we still had a good time. Now it’s back to reality tomorrow.
[easter]
We had a wonderful day today. Started it off with a sunrise service at our church…beautiful but very cold. I sat there thinking how terribly uncomfortable it was until I looked at the Cross in front of me and realized there was no comparison to what Jesus did for us. Spent the afternoon with the Hess clan at our house for dinner. Resting now, thankful that we get to sleep in tomorrow morning.
[saturdays]
I just love Saturdays when the hustle and bustle of work and school are gone and we don’t have to leave the house unless we want to. Not much gets accomplished and I am ok with that. These are the days my kids will remember the most. I guess that goes for me too.
Watching her play with her Polly Pockets for hours…
Looking for everything he can find on Lego Trains…
Searching the woods in our backyard looking for treasures…
Reading a book (fiction no less) and sipping on my cup of green tea…