Hectic Times

I love Thanksgiving and Christmas and the time in between. I especially like getting Christmas cards from friends I haven't heard from in a while. The last three years Prince George's County ended the quarter right before Christmas. That meant that I had to do all of the last minute Christmas things and do report cards at the same time. I stuggled with the stress of it. One year I even began to get chest pains. So last year I didn't get Christmas cards sent. I still have a lot to do but I finished up progress reports (which are now just as difficult at report cards) and still have some time to do the rest of the things I want to do. So I got the Christmas letter finished today and with any luck, they will get sent. By the way--Happy Birthday to David and Shayne. David turned 7 in November and Shayne will tomorrow (December 14th). I had to e-mail the card and was late getting one to David but I love them dearly and they are both sweet boys.

Halloween and Fall

Isn't Halloween fun? We took some pictures when Tom and family came over to trick or treat in our neighborhood with the Watson cousins. This is Savannah as a character from Harry Potter: Jonathan is a firefighter!

James didn't wake up for very much of his first Halloween.

Matthew started eating the leaves while posing as a spider on the lawn.

Since Halloween is just a few days before her birthday Alison has always liked the holiday. Matthew seemed to enjoy the sights and sounds of his first Halloween as he made the rounds.

The Latest Addition

This is James Doyle Kelley at his Blessing on October 26th. Tom performed the ordinance with help from Cal and his brothers. He is doing well.

Shenandoah National Park

We spent a long weekend at Shenadoah National Park. This was taken at the mid point of a very long hike. Alison and Andy hadn't arrived yet and Sarah stayed back at camp with little James. It was a very cold weekend with overnight temperatures below freezing. We learned the value of a good fire. The fall foliage was spectacular!!






This was taken at Dark Hollow Falls. It was well worth the hike down the mountain to see it.

The Beginning

I thought I'd start a blog to keep track of the blogs I like to look at and to publish a few pictures. So here goes.