Christmastime is here!

Man oh man, where does the time go?! Here we are in December, Christmas decorations are up and once again we are all enjoying the music and ambiance of the most wonderful time of the year! I'm trying really hard to make it "feel" like Christmas in our home, despite the warm weather we've been having. I really don't miss the cold and snow, but sometimes I miss the wonderful Christmassy feelings that having snow brings. We are all looking forward to lots of good things this month. Once again, I am trying to simplify our Christmas in every way. It's not easy. My thoughts are much on family these days and how much they mean to us, especially around the holidays when their company is greatly missed.

Thanksgiving break was one of the best weekends we've had in a long time...very rejuvinating. Ryan is preparing for his finals, already applying to take his Step 1 Boards (which he takes at the end of his 2nd year in the spring), and before we know it he will be starting clinical rotations the beginning of July. Much to look forward to, and it is so exciting for both of us to be on the brink of all these important things.

Here are a few recent pics (including the frozen macaroni and cheese) of our Thanksgiving dinner at the church, including our visit to the Cape Henry lighthouses (yes, there are two side by side!)  Happy Christmas.

The NEW Cape Henry lighthouse, in use currently so we could not tour it

The OLD Cape Henry lighthouse, the first one built by the United States!

Christmas card photo this year--told you I am simplifying! Who needs the stress of a formal photo session? Not me. This was taken at the top of the Old lighthouse, overlooking the new

I always think to myself, if I were to die tomorrow, would my kids have a picture of us together, would they know how much I love them? So these are my efforts to get a picture with each of my kids...none of them were up for it, as you can see!


OK, I lied...so it's just the teenagers who weren't up for it!

Guy Smilie!

Of course Pierce had to find a way to climb the thing

It was a beautiful and warm weekend









Rock solid! Bless Sis. Jacks' heart.



The clean-up crew