Project 365: Day 366 - December 31

So long 2008. Here's looking at 2009!!

New Years Eve 2008

Project 365: Day 365 - December 30

Everything you ever wanted to know about partnerships in Virginia! Oh Yeah!

Project 365: Day 364 - December 29

These are all but one of Grandmother Canady's great grandchildren! The youngest, Davis, was just a little too young to join us for the funeral. All of the children and grandchildren made it, and everyone had a good time catching up and reminiscing.

Project 365: Day 363 - December 28

It's so much fun to stay in a hotel. Make sure it's a hotel and not a motel, because it really does matter ... at least to my kids. They like the doors to open into a hallway not to outside. Whatever.

They look happy enough - until the lights went out. Then Will wanted to go home and Katherine fell asleep and promptly began to kick everyone! She went through 3 bed mates before everyone was able to get to sleep! Next time she gets the floor!

Project 365: Day 362 - December 27

Project 365: Day 361 - December 26

Santa brought the boy a skateboard!! Now we just have to get him outside with it! He's mastered the skill of riding it through the kitchen while holding onto all the cabinet knobs!

Going Home

This sweet woman went home today. While we'll miss her terribly, we know she's in a better place. And we know that when our times come, she'll be there waiting to welcome us home.

Merry Christmas to All!

We wish you Joy, Love, Hope and Peace.

Project 365: Day 360 - December 25

Every mom needs power rings!

These were my gift from Will for Christmas - aren't they the best?!

Project 365: Day 359 - December 24

The kids and I stayed home all day today, while David drove down to North Carolina to visit his grandmother. We got all of our presents wrapped and the food made for dinner, and then we headed to church for the candlelight service. The service was beautiful and ended just in time. Had we had to stand there any longer with burning candles I'm not sure the boy could look forward to finding anything good in his stocking!

After the service we drove by the garish lighted house and noted that we had just 5 hours, 13 minutes and 3 seconds left in the day!

David made it home in time to grab a bite to eat before reading The Night Before Christmas to the kids.

Santa always gets a plate of homemade goodies when he comes. Last year he got egg nog.

This year he gets milk, but he'll have to fetch it himself.

Project 365: Day 358 - December 23

Someone had a birthday today!

We celebrated by driving to Richmond to see the big guy and then, after making a cake (and after a really quick nap!), by dining at Topeka's.

Then we ate cake!


Here's the birthday boy now!

Project 365: Day 357 - December 22

Gracie's getting into the Christmas spirit, hoping I'm sure that we won't try to toss her aboard Santa's fleeing sleigh on Christmas Eve!

Who's she trying to kid anyway?!

Project 365: Day 356 - December 21

This afternoon we joined our neighbors from the farm at the end of our road for cookie decorating and delivery. Once the plates were full and overflowing with beautifully adorned cookies, we loaded the wheelbarrow and leashed the goats for the walk up the road. The kids took care of the actual delivery while the adults waited on the road with the goats!

It was a great day for holiday fellowship. Our road neighbors were truly blessed by the gift of cookies given in the true spirit of Christmas.

Project 365: Day 355 - December 20

We have some regular pretzel recipients ... they are so addicted that they cannot go a Christmas season without receiving their tin of pretzels. We're happy to oblige!





Behold the pretzel dippers!

Project 365: Day 354 - December 19

I have to tell you, as much fun as it was to see Santa at the gas station, it really did complicate things. After all, doesn't he drive his sleigh everywhere? What on earth does he need a car for anyway?!



Then we remembered, the reindeer fly only on Christmas Eve!

Project 365: Day 353 - December 18

Teacher gifts galore!

This year we planned early! We bought some local honey (30 jars!) from one of David's coworkers - everyone needs honey!

And local honey is even better since it is supposed to help alleviate seasonal allergies. Chances are this honey won't last until it's really needed, but the thought was there!

Project 365: Day 352 - December 17

We went caroling to shut-ins tonight. Will and his friends had a lot of fun singing and wishing the seniors "Merry Christmas!"

Project 365: Day 351 - December 16

Mary and Katherine had their final girl scout meeting of the year tonight. They celebrated with a secret Santa exchange. This afternoon, after school and after homework, they sat down at the kitchen table and made these bracelets. They turned out really well, despite some setbacks. I think we had to re-string K's three times and Mary's twice!

Project 365: Day 350 - December 15

These guys had a great playdate today.

After snack (popcorn and chocolate milk for Gabe & yogurt and chocolate candy for Will) they played rescue heroes and cars, and then went outside and attacked trees and who knows what else!

Morgan eventually went out to help them play! She also made them clean up! Outside!

Project 365: Day 349 - December 14

This tree was beautiful!

Too bad it was several feet too tall. Cutting it down would have been a waste so we found another perfectly wonderful short tree. I think it feels comfy here in our cozy home.

Well, it will once we bring it inside!

Project 365: Day 348 - December 13

Today was a fun day. We went to the circus! The last time we went Will was just a baby! He loved everything about it, especially the tigers!

When we got home he crashed hard! So did his Daddy!

Project 365: Day 347 - December 12

I'm loving this tissue paper - I love plain jane polka dots!

Today's my brother's birthday - he's older than I am!

Here he is with his sweet kids!

Project 365: Day 346 - December 11

Project 365: Day 345 - December 10

The view makes me dizzy!

Tonight was the annual Children's Department Christmas Shop - the kids get to come and do their holiday shopping. Items are 50 cents each and the money goes to missions. It's always fun on Christmas morning to see what unique gifts have been selected!

Sometimes a grown-up tries to come in and buy the goods, but Judy makes him wait until all of the kids have had a chance to buy!

Project 365: Day 344 - December 9

These cookies are awesome! Well, not these specific cookies. These I burned. The next batch was the awesome batch. I also made fudge and butterscotch bars. All three recipes were WW recipes.

Then I made toffee - so totally not WW friendly!

Project 365: Day 343 - December 8

I love this Ho Ho Ho!

Tonight David and I went to see Neil Diamond. We really enjoyed the show, especially when he sang Sweet Caroline. We called our Caroline and let her listen through the cell phone. She thought it was to loud!

Project 365: Day 342 - December 7

Today was a busy day - we had our regular church schedule, then I had a girl scout cookie meeting, and then we went back to church for the annual Lessons & Carols concert given by our college choir, Jubilate.

They were awesome!

Project 365: Day 341 - December 6

There was some heavy duty beading going on today - Kathleen had to make 10 mini rosaries for her Sunday school class, and Jill needed ideas for her mom. At one point we had 5 girls, 3 moms, one boy and a dad all beading! It was great, but it was crazy! In the end the rosaries were finished and the boy's gift completed.

Project 365: Day 340 - December 5

Project 365: Day 339 - December 4

Will got to set up the manger scene this year. After unwrapping and lining the cast up on the piano, he carefully put each one where he thought they should be. To his sister's (yes, only one of them!) dismay, he put the baby Jesus in the manger.

Oh, and just how do we know that Christmas is baby Jesus' birthday anyway?

And so it begins...

Project 365: Day 338 - December 3

Tonight we had the Hanging of the Green services at church. It's a fun evening where everyone gets involved in the decorating. We hang wreaths, decorate the Crismon tree, put candles and greenery in the windows, prepare candles for the candle light service, and decorate trees in every department. By the time we left the whole church was looking pretty festive!

This is a picture of the tree in the Children's Department - this tree is mostly decorated with ornaments that the kids have made over the years. This ornament has a picture of Caroline when she was in Kindergarten!

Hanging of the Green

Some shots of the evening....