Christmas in Williamsburg

This cool wreath has burlap made into rosettes!

This one has various notices of coming events.

At breakfast in the hotel.

This might be handy to have around. :)

Emerging Personality

There are a couple of things to say about this picture.
First, Caden got this little scene ready so when Daddy came home they could battle forthwith, and not have to waste time deciding who was who. (Interjection from Dad: I still have to teach my boy to pick the guy with the blaster over the guy with the sword.)

Secondly, he's recently been wearing these glasses quite often. He calls them his nerd glasses, and for some reason likes to wear them. He was even thinking about how he could put tape in the middle to make them look even nerdier. Not sure why. (Dad again. I'm ok with this because he is just honing his look to one day manage other people's money.

So decadent

She has taken to sleeping with two lambies. Oh my.

Alyssa and the big man

This is a funny thing. I've never made a big deal at all about Santa. In fact, in years past, I've flat out said, 'Santa is fun to pretend about, but isn't real'. But yet every year, the kids seem to want to talk about whether or not he is real. I think they want to believe. While Alyssa and I stood in line to get her free picture taken with Santa following the Christmas parade in Creedmoor last weekend, she asked me about him. I said, 'well, look at him, he seems like a real guy'. She was so excited and nervous to talk to him.

Afterwards, she told me she asked him for an American Girl doll. And she said he was SO nice, and she l-o-v-e-s him. I'm so torn. I never wanted the kids to have a giant love for Santa. I want Christmas to be about Jesus. But in spite of several doubting things I've said this year, she really wants to believe. So be it for now.

yes, it says what you think it does

Raleigh Christmas Parade

We met some friends, the Klicks, downtown. Here is Alyssa, Caroline, Caden, and Caden.

Scotty McCreery was the last American Idol winner. He's from Raleigh.

Mountain Hiking

I put a lot of pictures in this post. I just couldn't seem to weed out very well - it was so beautiful! We were amazed at this tree, seeming to grow right out of the rock!
Our hike was a bit treacherous because of all the water. Grandpa is helping Alyssa across a stream!
Blackwater Falls!


Lots of Mountain Laurel. We were told that it is more leggy than Rhododendron. Otherwise very similar looking.

Thanksgiving in the mountains

This year, for Thanksgiving, we met my mom and dad in West Virginia, at a cabin in Blackwater Falls state park. We hiked, made applesauce, swam, played games, and had lots of great conversation! A game grandma brought: You're supposed to sneak up on someone and attach a feather (glued on a clothespin) onto them, and whoever has the most feathers loses. Caden and Alyssa are still learning how to do this surreptitiously.

Applesaucing! (Note the attached feathers...not surreptitiously placed).

Since we forgot part of the applesauce-making equipment, we had to be a little creative. Cut out the core, boiled them, and stuck them in the Vita-mix. Very smooth. So we all chewed on a few cores, so as not to waste too much.

Thank you, Aunt Carol for this very special apron!

Our new backyard!

Here is looking towards the backyard of our future home! Right now, there is an existing foundation on the lot that will have to be taken out. Another builder had started a home on this lot and then the buyers backed out, so its been sitting in this condition for awhile.

I'll continue to post pictures throughout the build process!

A poem, by Alyssa

I love
Mom
and
Dad
and
Caden
and
me.

He said, And I quote:

"Mom, thank you for spanking me. I don't think I could become a good child if you didn't."

Alyssa agreed.
Said as a general statement in the car when we were discussing what consequences should be for being disobedient in Target. (He suggested taking Bear away until Christmas. I thought this a bit harsh. We settled on room time until dinner, and an early bedtime.)

Life is But a Weaving

Recently I've been studying Job in a Bible study I'm taking. Its such a rich and deep and real book. Caden is also studying this in his class, and its been interesting to study such a difficult concept with a child. Yesterday he said to me "I gotta say, if all this happened to me, I don't know how I'd feel about God!" So I asked him what God owes him. And he admitted that God doesn't owe him anything. Its awesome to realize this so young! If this concept can sink into his heart now, it will save him some heartache later.

Today the teacher quoted this poem. I thought it was beautiful, and a great example of how little of the big picture we can see.

My life is but a weaving

Between my God and me.

I cannot choose the colors

He weaves steadily.

Often times He weaves sorrow;

And I in foolish pride

Forget He sees the upper

And I the underside.

Not ‘til the loom is silent

And the shuttles cease to fly

Will God unroll the canvas

And reveal the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful

In the weaver’s skillful hand

As the threads of gold and silver

In the pattern He has planned

He knows, He loves, He cares;

Nothing this truth can dim.

He gives the very best to those

Who leave the choice to Him.

October Afternoon

We have loved having access to this beach near us this summer. Of course, I do wish we'd gone more often, now that its getting a bit nippy for swimming. I guess most other kids were in school, so we had the place to ourselves. Not sure if they're inspecting marine life or seeing who can do this the longest.
Ahhh.

Pennsylvania friends

In late October, we returned to Pennslyvania to see some buddies, winterize the yard, and bring back cold weather clothes! Antonio and Caden greeting each other!

Alyssa and Gabby
My smoupie girls (small groupies)

Other girlfriends minus Michelle, Jen, and Jenn!

Lissa gets some Chasey love! Daddy and Jay fixing the garbage disposal in the background!

Chase loves Caden and Caden loves Chase!

Awana learn

On the way to Awana yesterday, Caden and Alyssa were reciting the Bible verses they learned for this week. Each week, they get awards and prizes for the verses they've memorized.
Alyssa asked me if the verses they're learning are actual verses out of the Bible. I thought this was clear, but I told her that yes, they are. She was amazed, and said, like a light bulb turned on, "at Awana, they can have kids learn real Bible verses! They could make a whole thing out of this! That would be really good for kids!"

A Day at the Farm

Shann's sister, Sharra, her husband Ryan. They're holding Blake, and in the front, Reid, Caden, and Alyssa.

A playland of corn!

Hay!

Hayride...

Uncle Shann and Blakey

A look down at the farm from a really cool slide!