New Year's Eve festivites

Jeff and I are getting old. We acknowledge that fact. And we have young kids. So there's no more late new year's eves where we stand in the cold and watch the ball/strawberry/hershey kiss drop while fireworks explode in the background.

But, New Year's Eve is a great time to be able to see family, eat stromboli and play games that make you laugh harder than you normally would at an earlier hour of the day. And that's exactly what we did.

Christmas in a Nutshell

As the Christmas season comes to a close for another year, I look back at all the people and events we were able to see and do. It was a busy season, to say the least, but God has blessed us with so many people that we love (many whom we did not get to see at all), that we cannot complain about all the running and planning it takes to see everyone. With each event, we thank God for His goodness and provision for us.

As a family, we started out the Christmas events a week and a half before Christmas day with a wonderful party we were invited to by one of the partners at Jeff's law firm. It was the first year we all went, and we had such a great time. I was nervous about taking the kids (even though they were invited and encouraged to come), but they did great. Our wonderful host and hostess even included entertainment for the children and at the end of the night, all of the kids sang Christmas carols for the adults. We just missed the ice that night and awoke the next morning with a beautiful display of ice on everything outside. It shut a lot of people down, but fortunately, we only lost electricity for a few hours. (Andrew and Rachel were able to finish their trip from Arizona that day, inspite of the ice.)


On Monday, I was able to have Julie and the kids, Aunt Dee, Mom, Rachel and Andrew over for a little pre-Christmas fun. The kids received their first gifts of the season from Aunt Dee.


Later in the week, we celebrated with my Grandmother and Jeff's mom was able to come for Joost's program. And then on Saturday, we celebrated Christmas with my parents, Andrew and Rachel. The kids received a slew of gifts, and we ate Mexican. (One is only able to make and eat so many full turkey feasts, and so Mexican seemed to be a good option.)

On Sunday, we traveled to Doylestown to start our celebrations with Jeff's family. Carolyn and JD (Jeff's sister) were kind enough to put us up for the two nights we were in town. We had such a great time with them, and the kids really enjoyed their stay with their cousins (especially Joost--he really enjoyed his extended sleepover with Joshua.) Carolyn hosted the entire family (all that could come) for brunch on Christmas eve morning.In the evening, we all dressed up and went to the Christmas eve service as a family and enjoyed wine and cheese after, compli- ments of Sean and Jonelle.


Christmas morning was a lot of fun for the kids. Amazingly, we didn't hear any noise from the kids before 6:45 and even then it was only excited chatter coming from Joshua and Joost's bedroom. Jeff's mom was able to be with us Christmas morning, as well--which added to the fun.

Jeff's other sister, Beth, hosted everyone for dinner at her home on Christmas day. She did a wonderful job with the meal and the kids had a great time opening *more* gifts. It was a busy house with all seven of Grace and Joost's cousins in attendance.
We had a nice time with Jeff's family and returned to Harrisburg late Christmas night.

We were delighted to be able to see an old friend of Jeff's (who was a groomsman in our wedding) that lives in Sacramento. Allan came to our home on Thursday for dinner and I am still kicking myself for not taking a picture of him and Jeff together since we only get to see him once every five years. We had a great time catching up with him.

Of course, no Christmas is complete without visiting the Christmas tree in the capitol building, which we did on Saturday.

Christmas, in a nutshell, would not be complete without giving thanks for our Savior's birth. I am awed to think that God Himself would take on human form and humble Himself to save even me. I pray that I will hold fast to this thought as I go into a new year.

Merry Christmas to you all!

Joost's 1st Performance

Today was Joost's preschool Christmas program. The 2-4 year old classes did a great job singing for all their families. Each class was dressed as a different part of the Christmas story. Joost and his classmates were wisemen.
Joost had quite the fan club in attendance. I had to save the entire row when I arrived early, and I recieved quite a few not-so-happy looks from all the other families that wanted to sit and watch their own kids. But I held strong and all but one of us had a place to sit for the program. We were so glad that all my family could be there (including Andrew and Rachel--fresh from Arizona) and we were especially pleased that Jeff's mom could make it since she had to drive from Doylestown. She came the night before and we had a good time with her. Joost was so excited to have everyone there to support him and he did a fantastic job singing all the songs.

Just like Mommy

Things always come back in style. Or maybe kids' clothing never change. Either way, my mom went through some of my old clothing and found some outfits that are Gracie's size. Here's a picture of her wearing an outfit that I wore at her age...in 1979.

Bellefonte

This past weekend, we drove up State College way to visit a friend of mine from church who has moved there (temporarily--we hope!) to finish her doctoral studies. Lauren is a phenomenal pianist and musician. It's always wonderful to hear her play.

We decided to do something Christmasy for the visit, and she found a little town called Bellefonte that hosts a Victorian Christmas each year. It's a lovely little town with plenty of Victorian homes. The Victorian homes were really about the only thing that made it a "Victorian" Christmas--that and a few random carolers dressed in period costumes. Lauren and I decided we might not go back next year, but we're glad to have explored Bellefonte for the day.

The kids (hesitantly) visited Santa's house and inaudibly told him what they wanted for Christmas. They did enjoy the candy canes given for the effort, however.

The world's largest cookie

Last week we had dinner at the Garvin's house. Bob and Tesha are good friends of ours from church and they have 3 children. Joost and Grace have become very good friends with Jack and Emily (their two oldest).

As a special surprise for the kids,Tesha had baked the largest cookie that I've ever seen. And it was the kids job to ice and decorate it. They had a lot of fun decorating it--and even more fun eating it.

(The picture is compliments of the Garvin camera.)

In the snow with Grandpa

This winter has given us a lot of snow already. On Friday, we were glad to get a little more. Joost was excited that my dad and mom came over to visit and dad took him out in the snow to play. They went sledding and made railroad tracks in the snow. He's a good grandpa to my children and I am very thankful for him.

O Christmas Tree

I love the beginning of the Christmas season and every year I am anxious to get it started as soon as possible. I'm very glad that this year we have an extra week between Thanksgiving and Christmas. (Do you remember last year we only had four weeks between them and it seemed so rushed?) I like an extra long holiday season. And, I get the ball rolling the day after Thanksgiving. Our Black Friday traditions consist of Christmas Tree shopping, rather than Christmas gift shopping.

Jeff, Joost, Grace and I bundled up on Friday morning and drove to a Christmas tree farm to find the right tree. We walked up and down every hill and path to see all the trees. We tagged a few possibilities, but finally decided on a lovely blue spruce. (note to anyone considering a blue spruce: they have very sturdy branches, great for hanging ornaments, but the needles are very sharp. I had to wear rubber gloves to get the lights on it.)

Then, Jeff took over and cut the tree down. We hulled it back to the driveway and loaded it in the van for it's ride home.



Joost, apparently, ran up and down the hills at the tree farm a few too many times.

We set up the tree and strung lights that day and did a lot of other decorating around the house. This is the first year we've put up lights on the outside of the house, so I'm very excited about that. We joke that it looks like a "winter wonderland."
Yesterday, we decorated the tree and the kids had a lot of fun doing that. It's great to pull out the ornaments each year and to talk about the memories attached to each one.
Gracie has become very attached to one of the ornaments and took it to bed with her. There was one ornament that was broken during the decorating, but considering the kids' ages, I'm surprised that it was only one!


In the end, we finished the decorating and are pleased with the results...

Thanksgiving

We had a lovely Thanksgiving spent with family and good food. My mom and dad hosted us and we were able to see my Uncle Jeff (my dad's older brother) and his girlfriend, Tina; Uncle Alan (my mom's younger brother) and his girlfriend, Julie; and my grandmother (dad's mom). It was good to be with family. My mom is the best pie maker on the east coast, and so we enjoyed some wonderful food. I made a butternut squash soup that was an excellent recipe. I will gladly share it with anyone interested.

On a more serious note, here is a Puritan prayer for Thanksgiving that I thought stated our thoughts more suitably at this time of the year.

O My God, Thou fairest, greatest, first of all objects, my heart admires, adores, loves thee, for my little vessel is as full as it can be, and I would pour out all that fullness before thee in ceaseless flow.

When I think upon and converse with thee ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up, ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed, ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart, crowding into every moment of happiness.

I bless thee for the soul thou hast created, for adorning it, sanctifying it, though it is fixed in barrens soil; for the body thou has given me, for preserving its strength and vigour, for providing sense to enjoy delights, for the ease and freedom of my limbs, for hands, eyes, ears that do thy bidding; for thy royal bounty providing my daily support, for a full table and overflowing cup, for appetite, taste, sweetness, for social joys of relatives and friends, for ability to serve others, for a heart that feels sorrows and necessities, for a mind to care for my fellow-men, for opportunities of spreading happiness around, for loved ones in the joys of heaven, for my own expectation of seeing thee clearly.

I love thee above the powers of language to express, for what thou art to thy creatures. Increase my love, O my God, through time and eternity.

First snow

It's rare for us to be able to enjoy the glory of the changing leaves and the beauty of snow all at once, but last night we had our first snow of the season. Combined with the late fall that we had, we are able to enjoy them all at once.

Holiday Parade

Today was Harrisburg's Holiday Parade. Jeff and I, the kids and my parents all went down to it. It was a chilly day and we bundled up for the parade. The kids really enjoyed it (although Joost doesn't look like it in the picture below--he was a little overwhelmed by the crowds at first and unsure whether or not his red balloon was going to blow away into the sky).
There were a lot of highschool bands from all over the state--but our favorite was Harrisburg High with their drum section who could dance and play at the same time. I should have captured it on film, but it wouldn't have done them justice.
It was also great to see all the armed forces that marched in the parade--many vets and reserve, but also some troops that just returned from Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Kosovo. We are grateful for all those men and women who have served now and in years past.
We all had a good time and it put us in the mood for the holidays. May our Thanks-
givings be one of gratitude as we look to Him who has blessed us more than we deserve.

The Nation's Capital

Yesterday, we arrived home from several days in Washington D.C. Jeff had some classes he was taking for work and we decided it would be fun for the kids and I to join him. We had the evenings with Jeff and then the three of us explored the city during the day without him.

It was the kids first time staying in a
hotel,and their excitement was roof raising! We all had a fun time sleeping in one room together for two nights.


Joost very much wanted to see dinosaur bones while we were in D.C., so we visited the National Museum of Natural History.
The kids loved the museum. I'm pretty sure we spent at least three hours there (and retraced our steps past the dinosaurs and the hall of mammals many times). It does have a lot of great stuff if you can get past the overdose of evolution that they give you in EVERY exhibit and description. And the elephant that greets you in the rotunda, is awe inspiring...very Night at the Museum.

We also had a lot of fun at the Air and Space Museum, The Old Post Office, the Navy Memorial and other stops along the way. Jeff was able to squeeze in a visit to the art museum on Sunday evening when we first arrived to see all his Dutch favorites.





We were very glad to be able to be with Jeff while he was away for business rather than being separated for three days. It is rare for the four of us to take day trips or any kind of vacation without others a long, so it was refreshing (even though Jeff was working most of the time) for the four of us to be away together and doing something out of the ordinary.

Gracie and her big-girl bed

Today we picked up Gracie's new bed and set it up in her bedroom. She is sleeping in it tonight and in the next few days we will be putting away the crib into storage. It will be the first time in over four years that we won't have a crib set up in our home. Hopefully, in time, it will be needed again...but time and health will tell. Today, we are excited for Grace and this new step into being a little girl.

(The bedding is yet to be decided on. What's in the picture is an option, but I really wanted paisley with pinks and blues for her quilt. If you know any good stores or sites for bedding that is feminine, classic yet whimsical, let me know!)

Reading, Writing and Arithmetic

Well...reading and writing, anyway. There's a great site that was passed on to me that I thought any of you with pre-school aged children might enjoy as well. It helps you make alphabet sheets for practicing and recognizing letters that you can print and use with your child. Joost and Grace really love to practice their letters and color the pictures. Here's the link:

ABC worksheets

My two year olds

Grace Elizabeth and Joost Jonathan at two years of age.

California Company

This week, Jeff's cousin, Chad, and his wife, Michelle, are visiting from California. They are staying in Doylestown with the majority of Jeff's family for most of the week, but we were glad to be able to have them in Harrisburg with us yesterday.
Jeff was unable to take a full day off to be with them, so I started the tour of Harrisburg for them early in the afternoon. Our first stop was at our beautiful state capitol building--which is a must-see for anyone visiting Harrisburg. It is one of the most beautiful capitol buildings in the United States (not just my opinion).

A funny thing happened to us while we were looking around inside. We were on the second floor and I was trying to get a picture of the Rotunda and Chad, Michele and the kids. While I was setting them up, an older woman came over and said, "Well, I guess you'll want me in the picture." Trying to be polite, I said, "Of course!" and she went over, scooped up Gracie on her lap and posed for the picture. I was a little surprised by her comfort in making herself a part of our picture, but I didn't mind. Then, she surprised us by saying, "How about I take you on a tour of my office." I turned around and there was the large title etched above her office doors stating LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR! I had just taken a picture of Catherine Baker Knoll.

We did take a tour of her 100 year old office and had our picture taken in front of the fireplace and original green leather chairs in her inner office with all the former Lieutenant Governors looking down on us. It was a fun surprise in our tour of Harrisburg.

After our visit to the capitol building, we walked along riverfront and Jeff was able to meet up with us. From there, we took them to Hershey and they were able to visit Hershey Chocolate World and see the famous Hershey kiss street lights. We had such a fun time with them and were so glad they could join us in our home and see what we have around us.

By the way, we would love for more of our distant friends and family to come and visit us in Harrisburg. We'd love to give you a tour of the area, too. I can't promise Catherine Baker Knoll, but we'll do our best!

Trick-or-Treating

Harrisburg has a random tradition of hosting trick-or-treating on the last Thursday in Halloween. No one is sure why this was started, but it has remained that way for many decades. So, last evening, the kids dressed up in their slightly-seen-before costumes and collected candy with the host of other kids in the neighborhood.
Joost went as a jolly pirate (you may recall parts of his costume from his 4th birthday party) and Grace went as a cow (a costume which has been worn on pervious Halloweens by her older brother). They had a fun time and collected far too much candy.
It was a fun evening to be out with our neighbors (most people sat on their porches and no doorbell ringing was required) and we enjoyed the autumn weather.

Super Tot and her sidekick, Raccoon Boy

In preschool today, Joost learned about night animals and made a raccoon mask. Now, Super Tot (who disguises herself as a normal two year old during the day) and Raccoon Boy (who pretends to sleep at night but is really tracking bad guys) are fighting crime together.

Mother says....

This is a very funny song. Take a listen if you have the chance....
(click on the underlined phrase below)

William Tell Mom's Overture

I'm getting married in the morning....

Yesterday, Jeff and I were honored to attend a wedding of a girlfriend of mine that I've known most my life. Jaime and I attended the same school and church as we grew up and our mothers are best friends. It was a beautiful wedding and a fun reception where I was able to see good friends and family (this is a picture of Daphyn, Jaime, myself and Laura, my cousin.) And I was also able to enjoy dancing with Jeff as he pulled out his "Bill Cosby" moves out on the dance floor! (If you've attended a wedding with Jeff, you'll know what I mean.)
In other wedding related news... my cousin, Laura, has recently become engaged to marry Lowell. I am happy that she has found love and wish them both a life of happiness and service to God. They are planning for a spring wedding.

Noah

It's been a rather dry month for blogging--I'm not sure why since every free minute we possess these days is filled with something. Some of you occassionally ask about our three-legged cat, Noah, and so I thought he was due a blog as a loyal member of our family.

He and Joost are actually quite good friends these days. I honestly thought that day might never come. (There were some rough days for Noah while Joost was 2 and 3. I guess little boys just can't help it...) After some serious training in gentleness and kindness, Joost has learned how to care for the cat. He helps with feeding Noah and sits and pets him softly for long periods of time while talking to him encouragingly ("Noah, you do such a good job running with only 3 legs...").

Noah has been allowed outside as he wills since we lived in Mt. Airy in Philadelphia. He's made friends with many cats in our current neighborhood.

Noah's a good and loyal cat and, no matter what Jeff says, he's a great part of our family.