since Thanksgiving, hmm a lot! (5 year flash back)

I just found this Draft post from 5 years ago, I have decided to post it now

I can not believe I have not posted since Thanksgiving. We had a super busy December!

I just uploaded a bunch of photos and they are not exactly in order, but I am not going to change the order I am just going to go through and say what each is, hopefully they will be grouped about right.

Here is a photo from our wedding, Chris and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary on New Year's Eve, it is pretty amazing to think we have been together that long. Chris said it well "we are off to a good start"

Chris was installed as the 35th Rector of Bruton Parish Church, it was a great event. We were so thrilled to have Grammy, Milla, Poppy, Julie Toland and Sharon in addition to Stuart Hoake, who came to preach, here to celebrate with us.
The 3rd grade at Matthew Whaley put on the Nutcracker, it was great fun. Zaven was a toy soldier and did a great job. Nell loved the performance and we went out to dinner at the Cracker Barrel after to celebrate.
Jumping around a little, this is a photo of the family at the installation.
One warm sunny day in December, Nell, Esmé and I walked up to Merchant Square, got lunch at the Cheese Shop and ate outside. As we were sitting there, Santa came to visit. We have had a lot of great weather and have been able to be outside a lot.
The weekend of Chris' Installation we threw a cocktail party for the members of the Search Committee and Vestry and their spouses, I think about 70 people. It was a great success, but I must say it would have been a very different party without all the wonderful help from Milla and Poppy, here Nell is passing by as Milla works on flowers for the table.
I believe that this is a photo of me and Chris headed to the Colonial Williamsburg Christmas party. It was at the Lodge and Poppy was kind enough to be our driver for the night, which was great because the valet was a mess and it was raining. We had a nice time and saw a lot of people we knew.
Earlier that same day we all met at the Christmas tree lot, chose a tree, bought a new tree stand and headed home. Zaven chose the tree and it turned out to be just the right height. Esmé was asleep and waited in the car.
Before all of the above, Milla and Grammy came to Williamsburg to stay with the kids while Chris and I went to Mexico to celebrate Chris Ferguson's 40th birthday. Here is a photo of them the day we got home, it is a little foggy, which I think is an accurate depiction of their state after 4 days, 3 nights with this crew.
Here we are in Mexico on the beach with a full moon. We had an amazing time. It was a beautiful place. We were there with a really fun group of people and the weather was perfect.
While we were in Mexico, I went in to Playa del Carmen with two girls and we went to a few shops. I bought the winged heart at the top of the tree for Chris for our anniversary. It is now over the fireplace in our den.
A cute pic of our hosts Meg and Chris.
The view from our room!
This is a cute pic of Nell in her Christmas swing top. We are walking to get Zaven from school on a warm December day.
I was persuaded to get the kids an Elf on the Shelf. Here he is in one of his hiding places. We named him R.W Rollo. (R. W. stands for red and white). We did not find that the Elf had any behavioral benefits. But we had fun with the little guy.
Christmas was great. We loved having Grammy, Ella, Milla and Poppy here to celebrate. This photo shows the whole group.
Nell and Grammy and Strawberry Shortcake.
Milla and Esmé. Milla got in on the matching pajama act and had a coordinating Christmas morning outfit, so fun!

Mister

Mister is a great dog

Go Dolphins!

A great swim season has come to an end! It was really fun being co, co, co president with Rebecca and Meghan. We made a good team and have committed to doing it again next year. 

We had the banquet on Saturday night. We did a big spaghetti dinner. Meghan is great at cooking for a crowd and when we got there to decorate she was basically all done! 

As trophies this year we gave goggles with their names and an accolade from the coaches. I think they were well received. 

Esmé was most fashionable - she has so many swim suits!! 

Nell was Mini mom- always the best big sister! 

Zaven was Heart of the team

Though he thought the coaches said " part of the team" hahaha 

Nell also got a coaches award the Dolphin award. It is an award that has typically been for the highest scoring girl, but the coaches wanted to give it to Nell to acknowledge her hard work and willingness to swim up in the 13-14 age group at the age of 9!

A great season for all! 

Come Sail Away!

Zaven had a wonderful adventure on his sailing trip with Poppy, Chas and Berkeley!

It started with a really early wake up call and drive to Norfolk. Zav had a 5:50 flight to BWI where he waited and then met up with Poppy, Chas and Berkeley. From there they flew up to Portland Maine. Rented a car, drove to Camden. 

They stopped along the way for a lobster roll!

Poppy gave them great llooking fleeces with "Poppy and the crew" embroidered on them- so cute. 

They spent the night on the boat in harbor- 

Then set sail the boys were able to help with the sails and all sorts of things.

 It sounded like they had amazing food at every turn, including "lunch dessert" which you know Zaven loved. 

There was a lobster bake on an island with S'mores - swimming, paddleboards , jumping off the boat. 

They saw lighthouses, toured little towns and saw beautiful coastline and sunsets. 

They then flew back home from Portland. That Asher's the 2nd part of the adventure unfolded. I guess there were afternoon thunderstorms and the flights started getting delayed and then Zav's flight got cancelled. It was Sunday at 5:30 and the next flight was Tuesday at 5:30 am! As luck would have it, I had a back up plan on place. I texted Hilary and James Stern who were due in Maine   They had just landed in Boston. Hilary from Richmond with the boys and James from Singapore- a 30 hour flight. They were amazing and rented a car and went and rescued Zaven from the airport. 

(Word has it they had hoped to sleep in Boston and drove to maine the next day- but they were amazing and gracious and totally saved us!). They sent pictures and everything. They then went on to incorporate him into their family vacation for the next day. 

He swam and climbed rocky coastline and went into the forest looking for mushrooms. 

I am honestly not sure how you ever repay a family for taking a potentially disastrous situation and making it a part 2 adventure in Maine! 

More summer fun

We keep having great times. 

Nell, Esmé and Kate had a spa on the front porch. 

We had a fun girls night and celebrated Crisse's birthday and a yummy dinner at LE Yaca- I always intend to get a picture of us all together and then forget. A sure sign of my age!

Then we had a great weekend at the River with Isabel. She is a wonderful hostess and we had a great time. It was a really hot weekend so it was great to be by and in the water. We took Mr. And he had a great time- there were several big labs outside to play with and splash and Lilly inside- he loved every minute. Isabel's nephew John and his Wife Anne were there with two of their kids and Zaven had a good time hanging out with them. They swam and played cards

 etc I took this picture of Emse and Chris be jade they looked alike to me. 

The kids had a great time fishing