November

Locals rarely take advantage of their own historical opportunities.  I've been anxious to go to Monticello for years, but Matthew has provided sufficient excuse for me to avoid it.  But with Andrew soaking up every bit of history lately, I was thankful Anne came down with Alex and Nicholas for us to all go. 

Due to Michael and Andrew's planned 15-hour football day (from his playoff game straight to Blacksburg for VT-GT), my M&M's came along to Dody and Granddaddy's for my second Richmond 1/2 marathon. 

Another great race, Richmond!  Always nice when details are well organized and the volunteers are sufficient and well trained.  Wonderful bands and DJ's along the way, too!  

SO much fun to have running buddy, Jorie, with me for the first few miles:-)

It's in their DNA.

Birthdays can be celebrated with any variety of delicious treats....when approaching 40, fresh bread (that someone else baked!), gourmet cheeses and champagne is SO much more delicious than cake... 

...while unpacking mother-in-law's new, LOCAL townhome for her.  New life stage for us...

...which can be enjoyed all the way from Scottsdale, AZ.

Good friends, better memories.  #thisislife

3-4's celebrate Thanksgiving

UVA scrimmage to watch "Church Jay"---what an incredible young man we have the opportunity to spend time with regularly at church. 

These three---life's little moments on the way home from the bus.

Book club celebrates yet another baby with a book baby shower.  

Welcome, Betsy Virginia Brown.

Liberty Mills Farm - an beautiful, fun afternoon filled with a 7-acre maze and plenty of games.

Always beautiful views Friday night at Adventure Farm.

UVA football game - check. 

Andrew's Pre-K teachers had this picture up outside their door from his Thanksgiving Feast years ago---Elaina was eyeing over something.

My OBGYN is one of the biggest celebrities in town...and for good reason, if you know him.  He's delivered more than 10,000 babies but it's his bedside manner and determination to personally deliver ALL of his babies annually that keeps his private practice overflowing.  The few hours/week that he's not working, he he's marathon training, so a charitable race seemed the perfect way to honor his retirement from OB.  

The finish line was adorned with pictures of "his" babies and I got my first ever picture with him plus Margaret and Matthew at the end....and they are part of a week's worth of pictures that I somehow managed to completely delete:-(   

CBS Sunday Morning has been working with him on a piece that we are all anxious to see in January.  Not every OBGYN in the country gets their own segment on a national show when they step back from deliveries.  He has been so emotional about this, counting down the deliveries, choked up.  He hardly made it through the pre-race tribute and afterwards spoke to all of us emphasizing his appreciation the WE all chose HIM to be a part of our family journeys.  I hope Jane Pauly does him---and his wife, Cindy---justice.