Parenting 101

We had a wonderful time in Williamsburg last weekend with the Ricucci family. What a FUN memory! I got a chance to watch Josh and Kelley up close as they cared for their children. They are such good parents and very intentional in the way they train their little kiddos.


Evan bought this little doll stroller for Keara while we were there. (I think that earned him "favorite uncle" status with her. She loved it!) At one point she started heading toward the street with it while Josh kept calling her to come back. Eventually she was intercepted by someone.





Josh firmly but lovingly made sure she knew how important it was to listen to Daddy. (Kel, remember to pull this picture out and show it to her when she's 15.)



OK, back to safety....



Neither Josh or Kelley got to sit through an entire meal uninterrupted.









Typical of Josh - not only caring for his own kids but mine, too!



These are the exhausting years when they're so young. I was freshly reminded how much work it is and I never had two under two. Josh and Kelley, keep up the good work! Remember Galatians 6:9, "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

When friends fall in love

Once there was a little girl named Elise who went to Michael's bowling birthday party. Garrett was there, too.

Elise ignored Garrett. She played with Lydia.



As they grew older, Garrett and Elise stopped ignoring each other, even though they tried.

One day Garrett asked Elise to be his wife.

And she said she would.



And now Elise loves him. And he loves her.

The End.

He asked and she said yes...

Garrett popped the question to Elise.

You can see the amazing pictures Kristen took here on her blog.

The Feast, the Concert, and the Maka's

Evelyn was able to join Miss Rohr's 5th grade class for the Medieval Feast this year. Sara was short one girl student and asked if Ev would like to participate. She practiced dancing and singing with the class for the past 6 weeks. It was a wonderful experience for her. Thank you, Miss Rohr!



Lord Schickler as a "Little Teapot."

The Dreaded Barbarian Leach.

The Dreaded Lord Somerville trying to pass himself off as a gift to the King and Queen....





The Tall Lord Buchanan - with strong feet.....













On Saturday, the Covenant Life String Ensemble performed a Christmas concert at the Mall. They sounded great and gathered a large crowd.






Sunday we joined the Maka's at Seneca Creek Park to see the Christmas lights. The kids all piled in the back of the truck, covered themselves with blankets, and sang carols while we drove through the park. Back at their house we ate ceral for dinner and made gingerbread houses. Great fun with great friends!

what are the chances?

I've been tagged. I'm not a fan of these tag games. I'm too old for this, but since it was from Ange and she's so cute I can't bring myself to say no to her. She asked me to go to my sixth picture folder, pick the sixth picture, and post it. I have tens of thousands of photos so I decided to pick one from my new hard drive where I've recently begun storing them. Honest, this is the sixth picture in the sixth folder! What do I remember from that day? I remember a very funny car ride to Philly with the Riddlesbergers on a hot summer day. I remember getting to give Jer a hug and kiss before his wedding. I remember Jeremy's upper lip disappearing from smiling so hard when Ange walked down the aisle. I remember the view from my seat; that amazing scar on the back of Jer's head is such a picture of God's grace. I remember a handsome sweet young groomsman in the wedding party, of whom I am rather fond. I remember having a wonderful conversation with David and Andrea Sharp after not seeing them for years. I remember finally meeting Meg Hayes. And mostly I remember being so very happy that God brought these two kids together in marriage that day. To the folks in Philly, thanks for letting Ange go, hard as it was. We're taking care of her down here.

The handsome groomsman and his adorable date. (I'm including it because they're cute and I love them both and I'm the mom so I can. My seniority in this game allows me to ammend the rules.)

My friends, you have been tagged:

Kimmers, Kelley, Jess Aveni, Mrs. K., and Sarah Bearah