Christmas and Beyond

Well I have not posted much because the Blogger App was no longer working on my phone and as far as sharing photos there was no easy way. I have now hopefully, found a work around to the problem and I am hoping to be back to posting.
I have come to love this blog as a scrap book of sorts!

We had a great Christmas season- full of love light and laughter.
The Ice rink reopened at Colonial Williamsburg, Zaven sang in the community choir, Nell participated in the school government cookie sale at the Nutcracker. We went to DC for the Jingle Ball, Esme and Nell were in the pageant at church, we decorated out tree, we made cookies for santa, we shopped for gifts, baked for friends, had family visit all in all a great time

DC with Meg and George!

Zaven shoe shopping in DC, his idea of heaven

Esme and I made cookies for her classmates

The girls made gingerbread houses. Zav never got around to his this year:(

Since Esme did not get to go to Jongle Ball she and I had a special night together-we went to paint on pottery and made ornaments it was really fun. 

Nell was invited to an epic sleep over with Polar Express theme, they even saw Santa strolling through Merchants Square

Zaven's Community Choir concert at the Kimball Theatre

Dinner at Plaza Azteca after- to celebrate.

Decorating the tree

All together!

A favorite ornament

And another

A sweet delivery from the Sterns

On the way to church Christmas Eve, we eventually got Zaven's tie tied

Community Christmas Tree lighting. 

Making cookies for Santa- normally Chris would be at work as we went about all of these activities, this year he was sick and on the couch:(

A cookie I decorated to look like Zaven in his ripped jeans and Supreme hoodie

ready for Santa!

early Christmas morning, stocking collection

we are all a little bleary eyed!

Sweet sisters

We had a wonderful Christmas dinner at the O'Neill's! Chris stayed home:(

Viola, Ella, Spencer and Grammy arrived the day after Christmas, we can't get over how cute and sweet Viola is!

Cousins making "snow angels" on the kitchen floor

Then Milla and Poppy came! This is the only photo i got on the day they left and the kids went back to school.

Esme in the historic area admiring the decorations

Jingle Ball concert in DC

Chris and I also celebrated our 20th Wedding anniversary. We had such fun looking through the albums and Milla brought my gown and I tried it on, then we went to the O'Neill's for a while before our celebratory dinner at Le Yaca. no photos apparently....

Thanksgiving 2016 & Nell's 10th Birthday

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We stayed in Williamsburg and did not have visitors. It was perfect. The kids were happy to be home, out of school and able to see friends and just be. I was happy to cook a meal with only the items I knew people could eat and enjoy and I bought a fully cooked turkey - taking a lot of the work out of the meal prep. Leaving plenty of time for enjoying the break myself.

Esmé made this turkey vest at school, but really did not want to be modeling it. I think it is super cute, even with her very sad face

Nell in the kitchen on turkey Day

All of us at the table enjoying the Thanksgiving fest.

An attempt at a potential Christmas card photo.

We did not end up using it, but I am always glad to have a picture of us all together.

Nell got her ears pierced on her 10th birthday. Dr Mares came in to his office on his day off to do it. The whole family was there to witness.

on Friday after we had a great time down at Matthew Whaley for a Fantasy Football league flag football game.

The next weekend we had Nell's 10th Birthday party with a Minute to Win it Theme. It was a fun time and a nice group of girls

Nell chose an oreo ice cream cake for her party. 

The girls looking over the results of the Minute to Win it challenges, each contestant rated themselves or the challenge. 

Advent Tea at Bruton

Each year the ECW of Bruton Parish puts on a wonderful Advent tea. Each table has a hostess that handles napkins and tea pots. I have been a hostess in years past but the girls, Meghan and I went as guests this year. We had a wonderful time. Chris sat with us too. The girls and I each wore a red plaid skirt- each slightly different - but they loved "matching".


The children's choirs also sang. Esme did a very good job. Nell is no longer in the choir.

We had a nice time, I wish Zaven had been there for the photo, then we could have used it for the Christmas card. But he did not come. The girls did decorate some sugar cookies for him.

A fun festive time.

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!