Evening in DC ~ Amazing!

December 29th was Alden and my anniversary.

Hannah and John gave us a most AMAZING thank you for

their wedding.

A date night!

 



 

So creative!!!!!!

 

 

We loved receiving it. 

Of course, they had no idea we would use it for our anniversary...

but it was a PERFECT time to redeem it.  :)

 

We headed downtown early afternoon.

 

 

We love spending time downtown. 

 

We headed FIRST to see Les Miserables.  It is one of VERY favorite

shows.  We LOVE the story...of forgiveness and grace.

We both LOVE music and oh my is there beautiful music

in this movie. 

 

 

We were so excited to hear that they had made a movie and

couldn't WAIT to see it.  Perfect day to see it!!!

The theater was PACKED!

We l.o.v.e.d it ~ as we knew we would!!!!!

Don't forget your tissues when you go!!!!!  :)

 

We then  headed over to the restaurant ~ {we could just walk right there from the theater - so cool!}

we had never been here, but Hannah and John knew we would LOVE it....

 

And sure enough....we L.O.V.E.D this place!

This first round of appetizers could have been our dinner.

It was delicious!!!!!!!!

 

We can't say enough about the GREAT food and service! 

Such a treat.

 

THEN.....we rode around DC seeing all the GREAT sights ~

we love seeing them at night.

The National Christmas tree ~

Funny story:  We decided to get out and walk to see the tree.

Well....we parked.....began our walk over.  It was pretty cold so we were walking

pretty quickly and chatting as we made our way.

Well, we look up at one point....and both say....

hmmm, the tree is blocked by another tree or something. 

Well, they lights go OUT at 10 p.m. SHARP.  Boom!

So we laughed......

turned around and walked BACK to our car.  :)



Oh what a wonderful  time we had...

from start to finish.

We loved celebrating our 39th Anniversary.....

in this way......

AND thank you Hannah and John for SUCH a FUN way to do that.

 

Thank YOU guys for your THANK YOU!

39 Years Together

 

December 29th, 1973

 

 

Bolling AFB ~

 

Alden and I were married.

 

 

The farm boy and the city girl.

Oh how we fell for each other.

Both pretty quiet...but loved each other's hearts and

the love of our Lord.



 

Our love brought our first child...

Courtney.

 

And then Phillip....

 

And Steve and Hannah.

We LOVE family!!!!!!

 

We enjoyed the 21 years of AF life ~

and people.....our family and friends through the years.

And of course, the love.....of the beach....

and sunsets.....and waves.

 

We cherish our grown kids ~

 

 

and God's gift of amazing spouses.

 

 

AND.......the incredible blessings of

GRANDCHILDREN!

 

We still hold hands....

 

and laugh!!!!!!

 

I love this man ~

we are good together.

We look forward to many more years together....

loving each other...

serving our Lord together...

enjoying family and friends....

enjoying each day.

 

Happy 39th Anniversary Alden!

I love you!

Christmas 2012

 

House decorated.....

 

Family room tree ~

 

Living Room tree ~

 

 

The 5 of us went to the Christmas Eve service together.

Added blessing ~ Hannah was scheduled to work Christmas Eve and

wasn't needed.  Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, we were all SO happy!

 

A little music of our own by Steve and John.

 



 

We love having an added stocking this year ~

welcome JOHN!

 

Our traditional appetizer/cold cuts Christmas Eve dinner.

 

 

Snowflakes made it complete!!!!!!

 

First Christmas for Mr. and Mrs. Forys!!!

HA~  John {got} to experience the Smith tradition of the ....t.r.a.i.n

on Christmas morning!!! 

 

 

Santa came!

That afternoon ~ we all headed over to Courtney and Pat's ~

 



 

homemade tortillas ~ yum!

 

Pat grilled ~

 

We enjoyed a GREAT meal together ~

adults.....

 

and kid table!

 

Then......

the BEST "Minute to Win It" time!!!!!

 

I mean really ~

 

from young to old......

 

we played these AMAZING games!!!!! 

 

We all laughed SO much ~

what a GREAT time it was!!!!!

Courtney and Pat ~

thanks for a wonderful time together!

 

 

Rebekah and I enjoyed playing the piano together!

 

Rebekah gave us a flute concert ~ so good!

 

We sang Happy Birthday to Jesus!

It IS His birthday!!!!!

Sent to earth as a baby...to live as a man....to die....for our sins...

so WE can have eternal life with God!

EVER so thankful ~

 

Even.....a tiny bit of snow!!!!!!

The day after Christmas ~ our tradition.....to go to Jammin Java.

 

 

Alden and I, Hannah and John



This year, BOTH of Steve's bands played!

AND a friend of our's son played as well.

What a fun night!

 

Yesterday, Susan and Richard came up from Richmond

to spend the day and night with us! 

 

Loved spending some time at National Harbor ~

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh what a good time we had together ~

getting caught up, talking by the fire, laughing ~

we love you guys!

 



In the midst of some crazy, busy days......

we definitely experience some peaceful moments. 

Thank you God for this beautiful scene....

and the reminder that Jesus CAME,

as you planned,

for US.

 

Merry Christmas 2012 ~

with thankful hearts.

 

{We missed you Phill and Christy ~ we know you had fun in PA!}