Advent & Hanging Ornaments

There is something about hanging ornaments on the tree that is so tender.  The kids somehow get the special nature of the task.  We always do that just before our first Advent readings of the season.  I think it helps them tie the technically secular evergreen tree in the eternal meaning of Christmas. 

 

Lalu has made some of the most special ornaments for the children over the years.  It is truly a labor of love as it takes her all year to cross stitch them for each of the children and she ensures that each is personal to them.  For example, Andrew's first was the Colorado flag, complete with intricately stitched Christmas lights around the edge.  His next was a realistic VA Tech lacrosse jersey.  And leaving no room for confusion, of course, she personalizes each one.  Amazing.  Truly something we will always treasure and look forward to so much each year!

 

I cannot get this precious one to rotate not matter how I flip it:(

One of the best Christmas moments

And then the wheels start coming off...sideways - rrrgh.

November

My New Year's Resolution?  Prioritize the blog again, so that things don't back up.  Because when I get backed up, things get dumped here, in whatever order they upload.  So here is November.

We spent Thanksgiving in Vienna with Anne's family and Kate's, too, as they were not in GA this year.  Mom and Dad joined the fun from Richmond. 

Dad taught the March 12 boys, "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth." In our household, Andrew and Matthew were racing each other to see who would get their front teeth for Christmas.  Score one for Matthew!

We took the kids to Lexington to see the pre-game parade by the cadets before their last home football game and enjoyed a walk around the campus of W&L, which I still love.  The canon was a big hit.

Michael titled this, "How many laws are being broken." Surely it was a red light??

The kids and I went apple picking at Carter Mtn on a day off from school.  It was COLD and the apples were all on the ground, but they were troopers and enjoyed selecting pre-picked apples from the bins.  They did NOT, however, enjoy the apple pie that we made later, at their request.  Apparently Andrew doesn't like cooked apples and Margaret, naturally, refused to try it after seeing Andrew's reaction. 

 

Sunrise on the way to the bus stop.

First shampooing in the hair salon---complete with Princess dress.

Imagination Day at School - Thankful Matthew and I were able to attend.

Leaves after school....a wonderful First Pres tradition.

Margaret's bike riding outfits to the bus stop have gotten more interesting with the colder weather.

This is how the 3rd kid rolls through Kroger, if he chooses.  He certainly wouldn't be buckled in.

Michael got a Go-Pro a few weeks before Christmas.  Yep.  Mr. Impossible-to-shop-for picked up the cool electronic in the month of December.  His defense?  He used points to purchase it.  He SORELY missed the point!!!  At least we're having fun with it. 

 Back to VMI...the bagpipers were their favorite, not surprisingly.

Andrew and I scalped great tickets to a UVA basketball game and loved their win. 

Sarah, 11, feeding Matthew at Thanksgiving.

 

Handsome, yet serious boys.

Go-Pro!

The box is always the best part!

 

Family Swinging

 

"Why don't you ask God to help you? That's always the best way, you know."

Left my wallet at home today. Didn't realize it until we got to Barracks Rd. Andrew's response...

"Why don't you ask God to help you? That's always the best way, you know.  I guess your mind was a little confused before we left?"

Uh, yeah.  On SOOO many levels. 

Dear God, please stay right beside me today. Amen.

On the way home from getting Margaret's haircut yesterday evening, Andrew randomly said, "Mom, I say a little prayer every day before I get off the bus.".  Really???  What do you say?  "It goes like this.  'Dear God, Please stay right beside me today.  Amen."   Oh, my.  Instant lump in my throat.

He's getting that this is a relationship.  And it tells me that he's a little bit uncomfortable, but that's okay. 

Wow.