her favorite spot in town

The other day we were driving through town and Rooney said 

"Oh look! This is my favorite spot in town... it's so pretty here." 

So we stopped and she took this photo.

A Small Town Tradition

Thursday night we met on the town green for the annual tree lighting party.

Tree lighting has been a Town tradition for as long as I can remember (probably longer).

It was a fun and festive little gathering.  Rooney played her tenor sax (right in front of the tuba) and Sweet Mesquite is the cute flutist in the green elf hat.

Guess who showed up towards the end in the big firetruck with lights and sirens blazing?

 Ho! Ho! Ho! I love our little town.

Bringing home the Christmas Tree

Life is busy.

There have not been wide open spaces on our calendar this month.  We've talked about how difficult it was going to be to get everyone together in the next few weeks to pick out a Christmas tree. Today the kids had a half day at school, so we seized the opportunity to gather a family majority (Mr. Dub had to work, and Enrique is in the throes of finals week at school) and we ventured to our local tree farm after lunch in search of the perfect tree.  It was a beautiful day--we found a beauty.

At bedtime last night one of my children was disappointed that I giggled at a holiday wish list suggestion, knowing that my chuckle meant "no chance, Lance" and said

"Mom, you ruin my dreams!"

-the dream ruin-er.

National Honor Society: newest (cutest) inductee

The pit stop

Whenever we drive to Virginia, we can all agree on one thing: Pennsylvania takes FOREVER to get through.  At least once per trip, we hear the following:

"Hey (insert name)...? What's the biggest pencil in the world?"

after no pause whatsoever, everyone inclined to answer says

"PENNSYLVANIA!"

Somewhere in the middle, we found a giant Cabela's store and decided to stretch our legs there.  I had never been to a Cabela's before, and initially it felt a little like wandering through a museum, with all of the animals on display.  The boys found a lot to look at (and touch).

We managed to stay together for about the first ten minutes, and then the guys became so engrossed in what they were doing, (ogling hunting stuff, mostly) the girls lost interest.

 I found it funny that the benches placed through out the store were filled mostly by waiting females. Usually, when you hit a large store or mall, it's the menfolk who do the sitting and waiting.

Not here.  Not this time.

breakfast and a fishtail

I love having girls who still ask me to do their hair.