Thoughts for the Season

HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON to all of you!  Some of my favorite things about the season include the children participating in the church Nativity.  They were asked to be the three wise men this year.  I also love the Christmas music that N and G play on the cello and piano.  And, I love hearing my husband's Christmas message he gives at church.  And, I love all the CHOCOLATE!  I love that it snowed this week and that we sat by a warm fire last night and played games as a family.  I love that everything slows down for two weeks. I love that I feel really calm this season and have thought a lot about what Christmas is all about (if you were wondering...it's about our Savior, Jesus Christ).  I love that I have been able to say "no" to some activities that could have made the season more crazy.  I love that I have two Christmas trees.  I love getting Christmas cards from all or our good friends.  I love that my belly is getting huge...and I think it is a miracle that we are having a girl.  I love that I am so in love with my children.  I love that I'm spending my 13th Christmas with my best friend and the man I love.  I love that I actually caught up on my Christmas Album (I scrapbook a layout for each year that D and I have been married--I was 8 years behind).  I love that I already have gifts ready for my parents and in-laws.  And, in case you were wondering, I really love each of you!  

Merry Christmas!

I'm Thankful for Philly!

We spent Thanksgiving with the WHOLE Lines' Gang in Philadelphia this year.  We all stayed in Farrell and Rebecca's beautiful home in South Philly.  They have  a nice contemporary taste in decorating....their home is magazine worthy.  We were delighted to finally be able to see it.  We loved being with family!  We have so much fun together and are so grateful to be related to some of the finest people on earth.  Here are a few of our outings from the week:

Seeing the Nathan Sawaya exhibit (a famous lego artist):

Derek joined Farrell, Wing and Tony to go see an Eagles game on Thanksgiving Evening.  He came home from the game so excited!  This may be one of the only times in his life that he is able to attend a professional football game.

We saw Scuba-Santa at the Philadelphia Aquarium...yes, it was a bit strange, but made us laugh! (Yes...it is real...a real, human, scuba-santa)

Enjoying the view from the aquarium---downtown Philly from across the Delaware River

Outside Independence Hall:

Valley Forge--the boys had a good time playing with their toy guns and battling in the huge fields that are part of Valley Forge.  It is so beautiful there.

Liberty Bell

We have been preparing for this trip for months.  N and G both  memorized the first 11 presidents of the U.S. and the preamble to the Constitution.  I was so proud of both of them for working hard.  They were able to display their knowledge on Thanksgiving Day when the family all shared poems, songs, or stories about America, Thanksgiving and even a skeleton that was found in the basement (SCARY).  This year, we were so thankful to be in Philadelphia with family and to be able to see places that have so much meaning for our nation.  It was a great trip.