Christmas Cutes

Oh, just my cuties in their Sunday outfits for the Christmas program. Killing it with cutes.

NGA with Maeve

On one of my Fridays in December with Maeve I took her to the National Gallery to fulfill one of my favorite holiday traditions: taking in the festive decorations and serene portraits of Mary and her baby Jesus. This was easily one of the best dates I've ever had with my girl. We got dressed up and she looked beyond adorable and I marveled at how much she responded to the art. She was easily moved by the paintings of the annunciation and the adoration of the Magi. Seeing the many grim portraits of Jesus on the cross touched her too. We lingered at the wonderful gift shop and eventually made our way to the glittery walk way from the main building to the East wing. I was excited to share this shimmery space with Maeve and she truly loved it. 

After we had spent a good time in the museum we went outside to enjoy the IM Pei pyramids and the fountains. I fell even more in love with my little girl sharing this splendid adventure with her. We ended our outing with a shared bowl of French onion soup at La Madeleine in Old Town. Best baby Maeve date EVER!

Country Christmas Tree

After the Scottish Christnas parade we took a road trip to Milltown creek Christmas tree farm to find a tree. We had never been to this place before and we enjoyed the scenic drive and acres of Christmas trees. We struggled to agree on THE tree so after a few false starts we finally found a tree we loved. Jamie chopped it down and hauled it back for us. Maeve wanted to be carried the ENTIRE time and the boys were nearly frozen by the time we got to the car. We even had a 'peeing' incident where Asher peed all over my boot and I yelled and freaked out a little, which hurt his feelings. I'm such an awesome mom sometimes.  

The tree looked HUGE in our house because in nature a full tree will always look much more magnificent inside. As usual, I didn't have enough lights to cover the tree so we only decorated the top half. By the time I put lights on the bottom half I was too tired to get out more decorations so our tree looked pretty pathetic for a month with what seemed like only five ornaments. No matter--its the lights I love the most.

Alexandria's Scottish Christmas Walk Parade

One of Virginia's eight presidents, Wilson.

Puffer portrait.

Old Town's santa plays the bagpipes.

Old Town doors are  filled with cool wreaths but this wreath with heather was my favorite!

Alexandria loves parades and we love the annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade. We always score a sweet parking spot and even sweeter viewing spot. This year was especially fun with President Wilson representing and of course all the bagpipes. The kids got lots of candy and one older lady in the parade singled out Maeve and ran up to her and tried chatting with her but Maeve was shy and turned around. It's just a festive, chilly tradition that we love.

St. NIck Day

It's tradition that I make fudge and stash it in the shoes of the kids for St. Nick's day. I love this tradition.

Super Sickies

Days after getting home from our Thanksgiving trip Asher and Maeve were very sick. They were throwing up (seemed like constantly) and they were lethargic. Maeve got over her sickness within a few days but Asher man was sick for over a month. He would suddenly run out of energy and appetite then throw up. He'd perk up a few hours later and be okay for a day or so and then this pattern of sickness would repeat and this happened for weeks. The doctors had no idea what was wrong with him and he even suffered through a blood test, which was heart breakingly unsuccessful on the first attempt. Fortunately, Asher is a very measured and calm patient, enduring discomfort with enormous bravery. His blood work came back okay. We basically just waited and waited and waited until finally he stopped throwing up. We never knew what was keeping him down. Poor little man had very little appetite during this time and would maybe eat a bowl of cereal and a few apple slices each day. He lost a few lbs too. Happily, he's recovered and back to his usual, silly and happy self.

The Only Other Photos from Thanksgiving Week

It is pitiful how little I use my camera anymore. I should make it a goal this year to show more passion for documenting the experiences of my family. Thanksgiving was really fun this year. We had a marvelous time. Jamie and I even got to do some black Friday, er, Thursday, shopping together. I loved hanging out with just him. 

Maeve was thrilled to see her favorite back cat and as usual, managed to set up a playdate with it. She is also obsessed with the tree swing and always manages to get me out there with her.  

I am grateful for countless blessings--mostly and above all for Jamie and our children. It is a relief to have him home and to have the family complete again. 

Snowy Start to Thanksgiving

Watching the snow fall.

The on the floor in the middle of the action pass-out due to lack of proper naps.

When Jamie was in Afghanistan we talked often of our holiday visit to Bristol and the new places we would visit on the drive down. I was excited to see Natural Chimney State Park but most of all I could not wait to discover Tinker Creek greenway in Roanoke, location of one of my favorite books. Well, the weather the week of Thanksgiving was atrocious and it rained maliciously the entire drive. All six plus hours. The saving grace was that we woke up our first morning to snow. Piles of quiet, gorgeous snow. The kids were in heaven since they were both with cousins and surrounded by snow! My SIL Lori had enough boots and gloves to outfit seven kids and they played for HOURS. It was wonderful to have kids old enough to just let them loose to play and root around in the snow.

It truly was a magical time, one that the kids still talk about with fondness. I loved that time with my kids, nieces, nephews and extended family. It was just what we needed.

Goodbyes Blow

My friend Kirsten hosted a farewell party for my friend Sarah and her family. It was a pies and goodbyes themed party and I was in charge of drinks. Sarah had mentioned seeing a recipe for a spiced pumpkin pie so I immediately knew I would make it for her. I even made the crust from scratch. I don't think it was very popular at the party but I thought it was pretty good.

My drink 'bar' consisted of lots of Trader Joe drinks, homemade horchata and cucumber limeade. How to say a proper goodbye with drinks? I didn't even stay that long because I felt so sick that night--mostly because it stung so much that Sarah was actually moving. Ugh. I'm just not happy about it even though I'm happy for them that they moved into a big, bright beautiful home that suits them so well.

Random Bits of Fun

The kids took turns blowing up this red balloon (gross) until it was so stretched out that it blew up easily and enormously. They loved blowing it up then watching it screech and deflate randomly around the house. It's the simple pleasures, right?

2013 in Photographic Review

Found this fun photo montage and had to share it--even though I haven't even finished posting for the year and I haven't given a proper farewell to 2013. Let me just say--it was a year to remember! Jamie in Afghanistan for 10 months of it and the boys graduated from preschool and started kindergarten and Maeve's cuteness was explosive in growth. I already look back with fondness but also gratitude to have survived such a demanding year.

Animated Asher with Amaryllis

I've posted these photos several times over the years but never in animated form. Asher was such a cute baby and his unhappiness next to these lovely flowers never stops amusing me.

November Projects

November started out with great ambition! I had a few crafts in mind that I wanted to make for Christmas decorations and for neighbor gifts. I made a mini marquee sign that was really fun to make and even more fun to display. The boys wrote Thanksgiving cards for their teachers. Soren wrote such sweet things for his teacher. We have been blessed this school year. 

I had this goal to make gold garland for all my friends and I made a few but things got a little crazy by mid month and I lost all motivation. Sorry friends.