Anniversary Celebration

We were greeted with this when we woke up ~

sitting on the kitchen counter.....from Hannah.  Precious.

Alden and I went to lunch at this diner ~

simple and charming

He even played a few songs on the juke box for me.  :)

Dessert:  Peppermint shake from Chick Fil A.  Yum.

Our gift to each other ~ was one of our favorites.

A drive ........out of the hustle bustle.

Into the country ~ ahhhhhh.  Lovely.

what a great day

to see beautiful sights ~

to talk a bit.....

to be quiet some

tractor :)

We took lots of deep breaths.

relaxing...good time together

We drove and drove......and ended up .....

at JMU!  Ha!

very special for us ~

to remember the years our girls enjoyed there.

And.....one of the BEST places to watch a sunset.

38 years......together.



drove by Hannah's house at JMU

the girls' street

The Dollhouse

Courtney's house....just a few houses down from Hannah's.

Formerly the Barn House (now known as the Dude Ranch)

Came on back......and ended our day with dinner at Bonefish.

What a special, fun, relaxing day.

Anniversary........so fun and special!

Thankful for Alden.

Family Christmas Gathering 2011

The house was ready ~

clean.....picked up

stockings set

signs of people arriving

Our awesome kids ~

Pat, Courtney, Hannah, Phill, Christy and Steve

and amazing grandkids ~

Brittany, Levi, Rebekah, Bailey, Ayden, Sawyer, Lincoln, Joshua, and Andrea

we ate ~

talked

laughed  :)

Grandkids checked out their stockings

so much for new toys.....they love the OLD toys!

our own knight

played a little ping pong while in the basement

then .....the "big kids" got to check out their stockings

we even had quiet moments.......

Alden orchestrated the "nativity story" with the grandkids.

[Notice Brittany and Lincoln.....precious]

the moms got their cameras ready and just the right position....

while Alden set the kids up

Hannah narrated

notice Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.....with sheperds in the background

wise men

angels

cousin fun

Lincoln simply takes everything in ~

he is studying Santa.

he turned him around and around ~ just taking in every detail.

the grandkids opened their gifts

the two buds

serious business

JOY

Oh yeah!

Last year Courtney and Pat were "anxiously awaiting" their "2 sons from Africa"......

this Christmas ~ the boys are HOME!  Courtney has cherished this Christmas .....

enjoying their complete family of 8.

the "older kids" opening their gifts

Steve

Christy getting her "prized" gift of a camera strap.....

and Phill getting his Lego backhoe.  :)

Courtney opening a precious gift from Hannah ~

Phill and Christy

Alden and I simply.........enjoying the evening.

Oh how blessed we are! 

Thank you God for family ~

we love each and every one.

And Christmas 2011 is complete.