Sleep mask

Ellie has been wearing this sleep mask at night. Who doesn't need their beauty rest?! 

Car ride

When you just want to read your book on the way home from school, but Otis wants to look outside. 

Santa

Despite Norah's face, they had a great time seeing Santa. Norah, who never misses and opportunity to investigate, had quite a few questions for him, such as "why aren't you as big as some of the pictures I've seen you in?!" He said it's because the pictures are after he's eaten all the milk and cookies on Christmas Eve. 

We also saw him walking into the building as we pulled up, and the girls decided his sleigh was parked out of sight. Ellie said, "maybe he just has a flying car!" 

Face Paint

Christmas face paint at the Dynex family Christmas party. 

Christmas at Meme's

Meme had us, Tera and family, Jennifer and Lode, and Marga, Eric, and Emmett over for a small Christmas party. The girls decorated cookies, decorated the tree, and had fun playing and eating. 

Home Alone 2

After seeing Home Alone, the girls have been begging to see Home Alone 2. Check! 

Saturday Snow Day

A snowy Saturday calls for Boomerang, Burgers, and the Boyces! 

Dapper

Meme made Otis a bow tie and he feels pretty dapper. In all honestly, he much preferred this over his coat. 

Friday night

A vignette of a Friday afternoon snow day. 

Neighbors

Of course the entire neighborhood kid population ended up having a snowball fight in our yard (not pictured, Mike). 

Snow Day Selfie

It was snowing on Friday afternoon when I picked the girls up from school. They had hot chocolate outside, and it was pajama day at school as well, and Norah kept exclaiming that it was THE BEST DAY EVER! 

Napkin

While setting the table last night, Ellie decided that Otis needed a napkin for his dinner. 

Christmas Card

Christmas Card 2017

Leaf pile

 Enjoying the last of the large leaf piles in front of our house.

Gingerbread House

Checked the gingerbread house off our list this afternoon! 

The Christmas Story

We went to see Norah's friend Brooke perform in her church's children's pageant. It was adorable and we all enjoyed it so much! 

Hot pink gloves

 Doesn't everyone do yard work in hot pink gloves?!

Big girl

Seven and a half going on thirteen, right? She picked out these shoes specifically for her piano recital! 

Piano Recital

Despite some nerves, Norah's piano recital went great this year! She played We Wish You a Merry Christmas by memory, and she kicked off the recital by going first. Was a great way to kick off the holiday season. 

Shirt

 Mike has owned this shirt for the entire 14 years we have known each other, and probably many years before that. It has paint stains, holes, and is likely considered "vintage" by now. He has gotten a lot of grief for it, but it was actually a sad day when he decided to donate it, so it deserved a picture.

Christmas Card outtakes

Today I FINALLY got out my nice camera and snapped some pictures of the girls for our Christmas card, and it was so fun. Here are the outtakes. 

Tiny tree

Ellie confiscated this tree to her room last night and stayed up making a celebration, including tiny presents, for her stuffed animals.  

Rudolph

Then, we watched Rudolph and had popcorn. 

Tree decorating

We decorated for Christmas! 

Thanksgiving Part 2

On Friday after Thanksgiving, we stopped in Charlottesville to see Levi, Mikayla, Neva, and Nate. Then we headed out to Fafa and Magee's and stayed with them for the night. The girls were too busy playing in the hot tub and swinging on the swing to have any pictures taken. Ellie also entertained us at dinner with some hilarious knock knock jokes. 

Then Saturday morning we went to see a light show at the Paramount with Levi, and met our friends Marcelle, Marlow and Quint for lunch afterwards on the downtown mall. Both girls fell asleep on the way home! 

Goal for next year: take more pictures! 

Thanksgiving Telescope

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at our house with Jommy and Pops. This is the only picture I took, when we were bundled up and looking at the moon through the telescope. 

Winter Coat

Otis got a winter coat. Not surprisingly, and much to our disappointment, he hates it. 

Meeting of the minds

A meeting of the minds in the front yard with more neighbors. 

TV

Sometimes the neighbors sneak in to snuggle up and watch Wild Kratts with us. Savannah, the one next to Ellie, is our next door neighbor and her BFF in her class at school. Two peas in a pod. 

President Obama

We were lucky enough to score tickets to see Obama speak in Richmond. It was fantastic and inspiring, while also depressing to see how far our country's leadership has fallen in just a year. Still, the energy in the room (even via a simulcast) was amazing and he was thoughtful, intelligent, funny, and honest. Will always be a night to remember! 

Ewwww

Mike gave me a good morning kiss and this was their reaction, along with "ewwwwww, I can't watch!" And so it begins, the parental embarrassment phase. Little do they know what they are in for! 

Big girl shoes

 Ellie got new tennis shoes and they are size 1. Officially in the "big kid" sizes!

Sister Sister

After some tough Kindergarten drama on the playground at school that day: "Looking at this picture while I go to sleep helps me feel better." 

Ninja Warrior

Norah loved every second on the courses. She was so tenacious going after the difficult parts, and stuck with them time after time.  Tiny Ninja Warrior at work!