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Wednesday, 29 February 2012

  • Leap Day, aka Sadie Hawkins Day redux

    I'm replaying my Leap Day blog ... 

    It's Leap Day! Also known as St. Bridget's Complaint -- in the fifth century, she opined that Irish women grew tired of waiting for the men to pop the question and she went to St. Patrick about her concerns. He said that women could ask the men only on the Leap Day.

    In 1288, the Scottish Parliament decreed that women could propose in a Leap Year, and if the man said "no," he had to compensate her one pound. Other countries, including France, Italy and Switzerland, adopted this law. 
    In the United States, Leap Day is also referred to as Sadie Hawkins Day. Sadie was a homely character in the Lil' Abner comic strip who never had a date. It was originally celebrated in November, and was the day when the single women chased the men. If a woman caught a guy and dragged him across the finish line, she got to keep him!

    For me, Leap Day is nothing to celebrate, but simply means I have to wait an extra day for my birthday. Sigh.

Monday, 27 February 2012

  • Happy 18th birthday, Eryn Becca!

    Eryn's 18? Really? Where'd the time go?!!

    We went out as a family to our favorite restaurant -- Liberty Station.

    Eryn got to open her presents.

    What a lucky girl with wonderful grandparents ...

    Breanne and Ethan made her cake. They worked hard on it!

    It was covered in fondant so Grammy's rolling pin got a workout.

    Beautiful cake!!

    Eryn's cake and her birthday flowers from the family.

    The unveiling of the cake! Eryn is amazed.

    Took three sets of hands to light all those candles.

    Make a wish!

    Did I mention it was a pretty cake?

    Happy, happy birthday, Eryn Becca!

Sunday, 19 February 2012

  • Snow ... finally

    The weather finally decided to act like winter! Yippee!

    Not quite enough yet to play in, but the kids headed out with their friends after church anyway ...

    Me? I just headed outside with my camera

    to see what I could see!

    The Bradford pear

    The fig

    The pines

    From the backyard.

    Whose woods these are I think I know ... they're mine!

    John decided to go up on the Peaks of Otter, and we took the dog.

    Snowing so hard you can't see the mountain!

    Otter Lake -- yes, there really are otters here. Didn't see them today, though.

    Kemo had fun running around.

     

    and eating the snow. John said that he's cooling off after all of that running around.

    Base of the Peaks of Otter

    Snowy daffodils -- that's what they get for being a month early!

     

Sunday, 25 December 2011

  • Some Christmas fun

    This morning, we went to church before opening presents. My children are old enough to do this.

    My beautiful family:

    Yes, these are their actual heights.

    When we got home, we opened the presents from under our little tree.

    The kids insisted I open my present first. Oh, what a present!

    Eryn's present from Grandma Teresa

    She really likes them; so soft and girly.

    Ethan's present from Grandma Teresa

    Keeping in mind, of course, that he can't run it in the house!

    Eryn's present from Grandpa and Grandma Smith

    iTunes gift card. For our girl who so loves music!

    Ethan's present from Grandpa and Grandma Smith

    The fourth book in the "Inheritance Cycle." He didn't waste any time getting into it.

    Dad got clothes for work (and the new suit in the family photo)

    And I only have one Christmas photo of Breanne so far -- she's spending it with her Dad in D.C.

    Pretty new coat for Christmas!

    The "fun" was exactly as advertised ... thoughtful gifts given with love.

    Merry Christmas, everyone!

Saturday, 24 December 2011

  • It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

    The coming of the Christmas season!

    We enjoy traditions leading up to Christmas day --

    We have old-fashioned lights at our house,

    and thousands and thousands of lights at the National Elks home.

    The town dresses up for Christmas. There are carriage rides on Friday nights.

    There's a visit with Santa Claus (never too old for that).

    There are trains at the local museum.

    It's quite an elaborate set up. I don't know why Ethan is making such a strange face.

    The cookies. Oh, the cookies.

    Each year, our family makes cookies.

    lots and lots of cookies

    to share with friends and neighbors.

    And, of course, there are silly hats:

    I hope that you all are enjoying the coming of Christmas at your house, too!