Quite the storm!

Our casualty from the storm last Monday! Yes, that is the skylight in our living room with a big hole in it! Sorry, I did not snap a pic before the tarp went on because, well, it was rainy quite hard at the time. How did this happen?

Well, we had such crazy wind that our chimney top spark arrester blew off and hit the boys' upstairs bedroom window (which, thankfully, did not break. It just ripped the screen and scratched the glass a bit) and then fell on the skylight.But on the bright side, check out the cool, blue, ambient lighting in the living room that we get to enjoy until the new dome arrives! Groovy!

December already!

That pretty much sums up how I feel. I am sure you are seeing the recurring theme in the last few posts. I remember my parents saying it when I was a kid and I never understood: Time just seems to speed up every year. Well, now I understand! Yet another Holiday season is here, and I find myself just wanting the proverbial merry-go-round to just slow down. Don't get me wrong, it is a joy to watch our children grow up. I guess I just wish there was a little more time to stop and watch.

We are off to a busy start already this month:

We kicked off the month with Grace's first choir performance with The Classical Academy Choir. It was a great night of music. Here are a few pictures of the evening:

Grace, getting ready to sing.

Choir II - 6th -8th grade. Grace is on the far right, top row.

Congratulations after the show! Madeline and Grace with Mom in the background.

And one of Madeline and her friend, Tori. The High School Choir performed at the end of the concert, so we got to hear several of Madeline's friends perform, too.

The very next morning, it was off to Jared's first playoff game of the season. 7:30 in the morning, ouch(actually, he had to be there at 6:30)! Here he is after the game. Yes, I know, you can't see his face. But, a good number of the picture I have of him are like this! He has an uncanny ability of perfectly covering his face during a photo. The tied this game and won the afternoon game. One more to go, before the semis and finals!
After that, it was off to our annual church Christmas Tea for me. Here is a pictures of my table... sorry there are no people in it. I forgot to pull out the camera again once the Tea had started. Oops!

And while I was at the Tea, Jon was chauffeuring the kids around town to Nutcracker Rehearsals, Soccer games, and Cotillion! Is everybody else this busy?

But wait there's more... next up was Jon's office Christmas party! It was a nice evening and we had a great view of the city lights from the Harbor View room at Tom Ham's Lighthouse. While this little ones parents were taking in the view from the patio, we had a little fun. I couldn't resist posting this cuteness!

November in Review:

Well, as much as I try to slow it down, time just keeps on ticking away at a remarkable pace! Another month has come to a close. Farewell, November! Here is a look back at the events from the month:

First up, Homecoming. How is it that my little girl is now a sophomore in high school? At least I got to do her hair for, this, her first high school dance. I love playing with those curls!

A pic of the hairdo...

... and her masquerade mask.

Madeline and her friend, Kirsten, outside after the dance.

and a group shot with some of her friends.

Next up: Jared and Grace made public profession of faith and became members in full communion of Christ United Reformed Church on Sunday, November 15th.

Here they are being greeted by the congregation after the service.

Next up... Justin's Birthday. Our youngest son is now 11!!!! See what I mean about the time racing by?! His birthday was on a Friday this year, so the festivities were kind of crammed in with all the normal Friday stuff. But, we had a good time celebrating. We had a special meal of fried raviolis, meatballs, and zucchini with raspberry italian sodas (Justin's choice, of course).

Opening presents...

For dessert, we had homemade black and white cookies instead of cake.

Justin tasting the first cookie! This was the first time making these at home and I assure you it will not be the last! They were wonderful!

The very next morning we were up bright and early for Jared's last soccer game of the season! We are very proud of his team, The Blue Cheese Comets, and all their hard work this season! And we are thrilled to report that they had an undefeated season! Now it is on to Tournament of Champions! Look for the results of their time at TOC in my upcoming December post! GO BLUE CHEESE COMETS!!!!

Thanksgiving 2009: Our Thanksgiving Day started off with a wonderful Thanksgiving Service at Church. We enjoyed a wonderful sermon, Come and Eat (listen here), reminding us to be thankful for not only the food for our bodies that we enjoy but, more importantly, for the spiritual food that we enjoy each week in Word and Sacrament as we come to worship. We also enjoyed beautiful prelude and offering music provided by 3 of our younger members. They blessed us greatly by sharing their talents. I am very proud of the three of them (yes, you may have guessed, that one of them is Madeline) for all the hard work they put into diligently practicing. I have on many occasions had the privilege of having them fill my home with music while they practice.

Here they are, getting ready to play.

We spent the rest of our day enjoying good food and relaxation with my Mom. Not your traditional Thanksgiving fare, since we were going to be eating that on Friday, but a tasty brunch of salad and quiche. After that we enjoyed the lovely weather on our newly completed screened-in patio.

Chatting on the patio and relaxing...

reading...

and baking.

Madeline shaping a pie crust. There comes a moment when the student surpasses the teacher. I must confess that at this point she has definitely surpassed me in her ability to shape a pie crust edge. It is a bittersweet fact to acknowledge.

Our Buttermilk pie! Another keeper of a recipe. We made this one on a whim to enjoy after our brunch. I found the recipe and happened to have quite a bit of leftover buttermilk in my fridge. It was so good!

and, of course, pumpkin and pecan pies for Friday.

We enjoyed a wonderful family meal on Friday with Jon's parents, brothers, and their families.

A few pictures of all of us relaxing around the table after another good meal.