December 11th

Two hour delay going to school today, which puts Zion home until 11am.

Nonetheless,  trying to get back into a routine for another week and then, we will be packing up for my mom's house.

The sun is shinning and the snow is melting, although, the high is only 33, so there will still be piles of snow in shaded areas and those spots where the plows piled it all in the corners of parking lots.

Another front moving in on Saturday with a little snow predicted.

The boys are getting their wish for a white Christmas, or December at least.

Photo challenge today is:  Elves  (*does the dog count??)

December 10th

A REAL snow day from school - (*instead of ice)

The snow was falling about an inch an hour from about 6am until 10.
It was beautiful.  I always love it from inside a warm house when I don't have to get out in it.
Mike left for work, but got the call that they didn't have to come in when he was in route.
So... we did a few morning chores and then headed out to play.

Here are a few snapshots and videos.

Backyard winter wonderland 

snow angel ?? 

Without the real OK from the doctor, we decided Michael probably shouldn't take a shot

So.... Mike, Isaac and Zion did most of the sledding.

Michael threw snowballs at them going down the hill -

and I did make a couple runs with Zion to help him increase his speed!  

Happy SNOW DAY and Merry Christmas!  

December 9th - First snow day

The boys were excited that they didn't have to go to school today, although, the snow day was really an ICE day - since the snow from yesterday started melting and froze over.

Here are the trees in the backyard - hanging low with heavy, icy branches.

Oh yeah....and our power was out for about 5 hours.
Thankful we have a gas heater!

This is from the upstairs window
You can see a line of some kind laying across the roof
and ice hanging off the other 

heavy pine branches 

teenagers are still teenagers as long as the battery still has life
iPod gamers!

soup anyone?
Yes, it worked great!

The photo challenge today is shopping:
We did NONE of that - I'm blowing this thing!

Sunday and snow!!!

The prediction of snow in the forecast did not disappoint this time -

forecast for Sunday

We had real snow falling (lightly) as we got ready for church on Sunday morning.

Zion was beside himself, and worried that it wouldn't snow long (or stick)
so he went out before church to make the most of the 100 flakes on the ground.

Zion before church

Mia wasn't too sure about this stuff at first....

But Zion couldn't stop himself!!!

just a portion of the beautiful tree at church!

Much to Zion's delight, by the time church was over, we had snow for real!

after church 

He played outside for a LONG time.... and Mia decided it was fun too.

So finally, I sucked it up and went out to help him with a snowman.

Mike came out too.

Our first Virginia snowman!  

home sweet home 

Saturday, December 7th

Michael has been going to PT since his surgery, so it has become the Sat. morning routine.

There is talk of snow in the forecasts, so I guess it's time to buy milk and bread.

Why is that always on the list?

ANYWAY..... After PT, Michael and Isaac had hair appointments and we got home just in time for the Auburn SEC championship game.  

They won! It was a good game and thankfully, not quite as dramatic as the last two games.

Here is a photo that I copied from the world wide web

And the photo challenge for the day is something furry -

so here is Mia the wonderdog!  

(although I did NOT take this photo today)

photo challenge

I love these and it just hit me today that I was a day late, so I searched and found this one.

So for yesterday, day 1 (or December 1st)
Oh Christmas Tree
Actually, I posted a photo of our tree yesterday, so I pass without even knowing it!

But, in case you missed it -  our new house has a sun room and as I was closing the door to go to bed, I decided I liked the way the tree looked and snapped the photo through the door.

December 2nd - Glitter
As I went to the tree to find something with glitter, I found myself remembering many ornaments from previous duty stations and ornament exchanges and took SEVERAL snapshots.

We have so many Navy / American / red, white and blue ornaments after 20+ years
that we have a separate tree for them!  

Diver bee!!!   

autism awareness 

Port Hueneme Seabee ornament exchange

Jan King painted this one!
NMBC 5 - Port Hueneme 

Yeah - that one is from Auburn 

Never thought I'd miss a tropical Christmas

Otherwise,  today was a typical Monday.
The boys were back to school after a 4 day weekend and hard to get moving out the door.
I worked on the normal weekend laundry pile and hit the grocery store for Turkey Pot Pie fixings to use up those last bits of turkey!  

Happy December 2nd!!  

Sunday, December 1st

Today is the last day of Thanksgiving break.
The boys had 4 days off this year and we packed in as much holiday fun as possible.

We had a tiny bit of snow on Wednesday evening, November 27th.
The storm was worse up north, and prevented our good friends, the Tovars, from coming to spend Thanksgiving with us.  We were all super disappointed, but still have so much to be thankful for.

Flowers from a new friend at church (and Isaac, the photo bomber)

After ordering Christmas cards last year,
and never getting them in the mail -
I wanted to make sure everyone had our new address this year.
Cards went out on Wednesday afternoon! 

Thanksgiving Day!   I got up early and got the turkey in the oven.  

By the time the teenagers rolled out of bed, it was almost ready!

sweet potatoes that my dad brought from the farm

and the bird!

My biggest blessings!
Yes, it's sweet tea and sweet potatoes covered in marshmallows
corn, dressing (not stuffing) mashed potatoes too
and green fluff!


and of course, Pumpkin Pie!  

 On Friday,  we hit the gym to burn off some pumpkin pie and then braved the cold down to National Harbor to see the Christmas tree lighting.  The ceremony featured some of the members of the American Military Spouses Choir that was on "America's Got Talent" this summer.

On Saturday - We cleaned house and got the tree up.   

I was more excited than anyone, but the boys worked hard without too much complaint.  (mostly because I said they couldn't play X-box until the tree was done)

In the afternoon, we had friends over to watch the Auburn game and took not a single photo!  

SORRY!

But it was a game that will go down as one of the greatest ever in college football.

WAR EAGLE!!!

On Sunday we celebrated the first Sunday of Advent with our church, Grace Covenant.

After lunch, we went to see the second Hunger Games movie, Catching Fire.

On the way home, we drove through the Bull Run Park Festival Of Lights.

A great ending to Thanksgiving weekend and the "official" start of the Christmas season.

Merry Christmas everyone!