Annual Pics!

It was hard getting our annual pictures taken this year. Between our steady stream of visitors, the unpredictable weather, and our crazy schedules, it took quite a bit of planning. They finally happened. I have to admit that it wasn't my favorite session of all the sessions we've done. I can't put my finger on why; perhaps things have just been so hectic lately that we couldn't really settle into a photo session. I will say that the black and white photo is one of my all-time favorite pictures in the whole world. That one photo made the entire session worth it.

 

School Pic and Teacher's Pet

Two fun pics from this week. The first is Delilah's kindergarten school picture.

 The second one is from Noelle's ballet class. All the little girls kept crowding Miss Caitlin and trying to sit in her lap, but she kept telling them to go back to their spots. Noelle walks over and sits right in her lap and Miss Caitlin doesn't say a word. Such a teacher's pet. :)

Thanksgiving

So Thanksgiving got all turned around and messed up this year. It was supposed to be pretty much my whole family coming from Texas, and we were even borrowing an apartment in the building to squeeze everyone in. Then people started canceling; I got my feelings hurt; only Cannon & Amy and their kids were coming, so I canceled the extra apartment; they got upset because they didn't want to cram into our 3 br apt; I got my feelings hurt again because I was now embarrassed about my small apt; etc., etc.
As most things do, it all worked out for the best. Cannon, Amy, Greyson, and Easton spent Tuesday-Saturday with us and we had a blast. Things were cramped, but we had such a great time. The kids played a ton, and the adults had some seriously good conversations over too many rum & cokes...deep, meaningful conversations about religion and humanity and sin and reconciliation. We went to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the tree lighting at the South Street Seaport, the train show at Grand Central (which turned out to be waaaay over-hyped), FAO Schwartz, and on and on.

Noelle LOVES Baby Easton. When she sings The 12 Days of Christmas, she now sings, "Five Baby Eastons!"

Lovin' the cranberry sauce!

Cutie pie at the park!

Another cutie pie at the park!

Four cutie pies at the park!

The "Big" Piano at FAO

The Parade!

It was a beautiful, wonderful week. Can't wait to see you all again!!!

Art Farm in the City

Since pre-K last year, each kid in Delilah's class ends each day on green, yellow, or red for discipline. Delilah was heartbroken yesterday because it was the first day she's ever ended on yellow. We talked about how she could do better, then this morning I took the girls to a little "farm in the city" to celebrate the 11 months of "greens" she's received. Nothing cheers a little girl up like petting and feeding guinea pigs and bunnies.

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Grammy Di and Papa H!



 Some people hear that their in-laws are coming to visit for 3 weeks and groan. I hear that my in-laws are coming for 3 weeks and I cheer!!! Don and Diana came to NYC for a fall visit that overlapped with Noelle's bday and Halloween...so much fun to be had. And while Chris and I whisked off to Vermont, they took the girls on their own "fall trip" around upstate NY. Just about every single one of these pictures is from Grammy Di, taken while on their trip. So fun!

 

Talking to Mommy & Daddy on the first night while holding the little stuffed animals they got from Cracker Barrel.

At a children's museum

Here they are enjoying a new found love: Full House. The girls got hooked on the show during the trip...so we now have full seasons of the show if anybody needs some. :)

On Halloween

Playing "salon"

Hide and Seek--I found you!

Such a treasure. I love when the girls get to spend time alone with their grandparents without Chris and I ruining all the fun. :) Thanks for being so incredible, Don and Diana. Our girls are sooooo blessed to have you as grandparents.

A Memory to Treasure

Was honored to preach again this past Sunday. During the service, the other minister and I were walking among the congregation for passing of the peace, after which Noelle clearly wanted to come back with me up to the pulpit. I figured it couldn't hurt, so she came up with me and sat on my lap until it was time for Sunday school. I'm sure a few people thought it was irreverent, but so many people came up to me afterwards and said how lovely and meaningful it was to see a woman in the pulpit in her black robe with her daughter on her lap. I already know it will forever be one of my favorite memories