Pilgrims at Oak Ridge

Looking again at my Christmas photos, there were a bunch of great ones that somehow never made it on the blog. So here is my attempt to catch up. Dad, Jeff, Dave, Hannah, and I all went to an NHL game. There was a fight less than a minute after the game started. This photo, though, is of two pee-wee hockey teams that played each other during the intermissions (or whatever you call the time in between each of the three periods). We really had a great time - though sadly the Avalanche lost. And of course, I couldn't resist posting a few more great photos of Jack and Ashlyn.

It was wonderful seeing Melanie and the boys this weekend. Caleb is just getting huge! And so smiley, at least when he's not tired. When we first got there Friday night, he was feeling very tired, and Jeff greeted him with a friendly kiss on the head, which caused his sweet face to melt and big, gigantic crocodile tears to come out. But Saturday morning was a new day, filled with lots of laughs and giggles. Sam continues to be a big talker. And a big lover of all things round and/or mechanical. We talked for a long time about the gears that turn the paddles on this contraption my mom has. And I threw a lot of rocks into the lake. I love being an aunt.

Sorry we didn't get these posted yesterday, but we went up to Seneca and didn't get back until very, very late. Today, everyone packed up and came to Greenwood to go to church with us and hang out here for the afternoon. Here are some nice shots of my mom, in her favorite role: Grandmother. (and I couldn't pick just two, so I posted four.) Her grandbabies love her.

So I'm a little late getting to this December photo project, but I do like the idea of just trying to post photos, since that requires a little less thought than actually writing something. So here are three photos for your viewing pleasure, taken in Iowa, which did technically happen in November, but I've been wanting to post them anyway. My new, very sweet nephew Caleb. He loves to smile and is super ticklish. Notice Sam moving? He is hard to capture without a flash. Notice all of the balls stacked inside the jar? That was also his doing.

As I said earlier, we had a great time with Dave, Hannah, and the kids. There is something just wonderful about hearing your two-year-old nephew call you "Auby" and "Bwo" (for "Bro") and talk about the dog "Lu-key." I just melted. Ashlyn gets prettier every time we see her, and Jack is really just all boy now - he seemed so much more grown up. I also enjoyed sleeping in this weekend, not working at all, and eating some delicious bruschetta (which Jack loved - this is one kid with sophisticated taste), grilled pizza , and baked oatmeal . It was sad when they left on Monday, but it left us trying to figure out when we'll get to see them again - Christmas, maybe? We hope so.

So here is Jackson showing us all where his belly button is... Mmm...breakfast.... Sweet Ashlyn...with her serious face. Happy!!