04 Girls Weekend

It's been 13 years since our Dartmouth days, but being with these girls still feels like home.  We spent a sweet weekend together last month in West Virginia, relaxing, walking, eating well, and talking about life and faith and kids and parents and race and politics and jobs and everything else we could think of.  It was so good for my soul to hear how these women are still walking with God through so many things 'real life' has brought.

Winter Misc.

Before this last week of fun, winter was on the dreary side... Sick kids and grey skies for weeks.  But of course with some highlights! A visit from Andy & Rachel Hanauer, Nico & his parents, Sunday afternoon skiing at Quechee, skating at Occom, an awesome day for the girls & I with my dad at  Killington, Alden's new big boy bed, and the Patriots winning the Super Bowl. 

Kuko!

Our little sports fan walked around telling everyone after the AFC championship, "Guess what?? The Patriots are going to the Super Bowl!"

Adara & Ethan "racing"

Skiing with my girls; my favorite part of parenting so far. :)

A favorite recent Alden quote...while waiting for pizza dinner at the Eshbaughs, Alden came into the kitchen and asked in his classic style with his hands thrown out "I thought we were having pizza?!"  I told him Daddy was bringing it soon.  Joel came in soon, and Alden followed him into the kitchen to ask, "Now where is the pizza?" I told him again that daddy was bringing it and he threw his hands up in frustration again and asked "Which daddy??"

Rosie's birthday weekend @ Killington

We spent our annual weekend at Killington with cousins.  Daniel & Rosalie took lessons and had the same major turning point that Adara had in her lesson a few weeks ago, so all four big kids can really ski now, which is so.much.fun.  

Florida for 48 hours

We planned a quick trip to Florida to visit Grandma and Grandpa Groves, which got even shorter when we were delayed a day by a snowstorm. So, we left home at 2am on Tuesday and were out outside the Ft. Myers airport at noon, where Uncle Bryan picked us up.  It took about 30 seconds of warm sunshine to make the trip all feel worthwhile!   We had beautiful weather and some really nice time with Grandma & Grandpa, and a dinner with Jill & Megan and the kiddos.  It's so fun to see the kids all playing together.  In between visits, we swam in the hotel pool and spent some time at the beach.

The kids did so well eating at G&G's "restaurant"  One of the residents made a point to come up and tell them they were the best behaved kids he'd seen in there.

Valentines Day chocolate fountain 

There was a trip to visit G&G's old house, and since only 5 could fit in the car, Adara & I stayed behind and spent the morning together, swimming in the hotel pool and walking the 3/4 mile to the beach with our drinks from 7/11. :)

We had one lovely afternoon at the beach!

Cousins!

We explained to Alden that Grandpa's first name was James too and he said, "So you're James Grandpa Groves."  :)

Sad goodbyes

 More pictures & some video in our February album. :)

Holiday Season 2016

The past two months have been full of struggle and joy.  A very hard decision to turn down a move from NH, grieving a big loss for dear friends, riding out the normal ups and downs of deep relationships... all mixed in with sweet holiday times with friends & family, and amazing long weekend away in Quebec city, and just the regular days.  Today I'm sitting by the Christmas tree as the snow swirls outside and breathing a little.

Fun with kids

Thanksgiving in MA

A 48 hour trip to TX for Megan's dad's funeral.  A heartbreaking reason to visit, yet at the same time a gift to see a dear friend's family and place, and to honor a life well lived.

2nd grade performs at Morning Sing

Celebrate the Season & Clara's Dream to kick off Christmastime

"Nico can't fly" 

Quebec Trip - A perfect fun and restful three days in this beautiful place for just the two of us... so good for our souls and our French!

Christmas :)

Christmas Eve Service at the Quechee Church and with our CRC family

Singing Joy to the World with Mimi

Their first cousin pyramid!

Game night shenanigans with friends over Christmas break