Snow 2016-Jan. 23

We had our first snow of 2016 on Jan. 23rd, being that it currently is the end of March and we've had no further snows, I suppose I can say it was the only snow of 2016.

This is the first snow where the kids are old enough to appreciate sledding down THE SLEDDING HILL in our neighborhood.

We all had a great time, even I. But, because I'm the photographer, there were no pictures of me sledding.

This picture so depicts their unique personalities. She's leaning into it, ready to take on whatever she can dive into. He's laid back enjoying the ride.

Solomon took his first snow in stride.

Elijah's infatuation with his bike led him to ride it on the snow.

Luckily, we did not lose power until later in the afternoon, and then only after a huge tree fell on a line. After going out to eat, the kids and John watched a DVD on the portable player. The temperature got to 58 degrees before the power came on.

 Notice Elijah's bare feet. I asked him and he said his feet weren't cold...oh well, to each his own.

So, unless we have a rare snow next winter before Jan. 1, 2017 this will go down as the only snow in 2016. It was a blast!

New Year's 2016...what makes it happy?

We went to the beach few days before New Year's Day. The weather was really mild, so we enjoyed several walks on the beach.

There was a fishing boat pretty close to the shore.

Solomon picked up a stick and refused to let go.

Beautiful winter sunset.

This was Solomon's first trip to the beach.

He loved digging in the sand. I'm sure he greatly appreciated being able to act on this instinct without it resulting in a yell of condemnation.

My big college boy put in an appearance

But, this nut....

He makes my new year. All is ok with the world when he's with me. We've been through 36 new years and there is no one on this planet I'd rather be with. Sometimes the prospect of a new year is threatening to me. I'm not one for change and I'm usually a little fearful of the possibility of changes another year may bring. We've talked about this fear, and he gets it;  just one of the many reasons I love doing life with him. He lets me voice my unfounded fears without retribution or reproach.

And we have fun in the meantime!
Here he is seeing what he'd look like with hair...my hair.

It's a Happy New Year, if we're together!

Christmas 2015

John and I had an early Christmas present this year. We got to attend the ACC championship football game in Charlotte. Carolina played against Clemson. Beth graciously agreed to keep our younger two kiddos. We had a wonderful time, although it could have been better if the Heels had won.

The wait to get into the game was incredible. We missed the kick-off. They scanned Every. Single. Person. front and back. It took forever just to get into the stands, a legacy of our terrorist aware world.

We should have known from the sea of orange, it wasn't the baby blue's night.

It was freezing, but we enjoyed ourselves.

The building in the background lit up blue when UNC scored. Unfortunately, it was orange a bit more than it was blue.

After our game weekend, we, along with John, Jr and Sharon,  got our Christmas tree and decorated our house.

Bring on Christmas, which came very quickly.

Another Christmas of not having everyone....booo! But, I'm thankful for the ones that were here.

We did our traditional walk to see the luminaries, after church services.

Then the Bible reading and singing

and the yearly "yuletide pig out"

Christmas morning brought breakfast fixed by the kids and eaten in our room. Then presents....

Then laden with food and presents, it was off to Nana and Grandaddy's. We got together with Anna, Jamie, their girls and my brother, Tom's, family.

After returning home, Anna, Jamie and the girls came and got their presents.

Waverly decides the paper looks tasty.

Layne miraculously turned into Elsa

and froze Papa.

Daniel had a couple of days with us before he had to return to post Christmas training.
We enjoyed a fun night of Rummy.

I don't remember who won, but it wasn't me!


So another Christmas came and went. I'm very thankful to the Lord for His gift of life through Jesus. I'm thankful that he provided so we could give to our kids. I'm thankful for the ones who were able to be here, and the ones who couldn't make it. Either way you shake it, I've got so very much to be thankful for, and that fact is ever so apparent at Christmas!

John's family Christmas

Right after we picked up Solomon, we went to John's side of the family's Christmas.

We got to meet our great nephew, Luke. He, his little sister and parents live in Los Angeles. They don't get here very often. We'd never met Luke, Alice nor their Mom.

The brothers plus Jake

 John's mom and neice, Hannah

It was really special this year. Beth has not been at this side of the family's Christmas in the past 8 years. Now that she lives close, she was able to come!

John's mom is 89 years old. While leaving the party she decreed that from now on Christmas would be celebrated at her house, since she is too old to travel. Over the past 10 years, we've been taking turns at each other's houses. So from now on, Christmas will be at Grandma's house!