Christmas in a nutshell (or in a post!)

For Christmas Eve, our friends the Harveys invited us to their home for dinner and a nativity with the kids. With just a few families, the nativity wasn't complete, but still provided great entertainment . . .

Jackson as a very sober angel. Actually he loved wearing the wings, he didn't want to take them off afterwards . . .
Jackson also didn't want to come in at his correct cue in the Christmas story. He stood by his brother (playing Joseph) the whole time. Oh well. Wouldn't we all like to believe an angel helped Mary and Joseph get through everything that night?
I only make it once a year, but we always enjoy it . . . Pomegranate Cheesecake.
Excellent swordplay on Christmas Day thanks to Grandpa and Grandma.
And excellent fun with the new basketball hoop from Grandpa and Grandma!
Showing off the haul . . .
Our dream of a White Christmas was washed away by our Christmas Day rain, but we enjoyed a great snowstorm a couple of days later. Unfortunately it wasn't snowman-making snow, but we did make snow angels.

And, we finally got to test out the sled Santa brought. Hope everyone's holidays have been Merry!

New Blog for the New Year

Not to be left out, I decided (partially inspired by "Julie and Julia" which reminded me a little too much of myself!) to start my own little foodie journal blog. It may be just for myself, but if you're interested, check it out at recipesandreviews.blogspot.com.
That way I can put all my foodie thoughts in their place without boring the family blog readers.
Happy reading! Becky

A Week of Winter

James was very serious in his discussion with Santa.

Jackson was speechless.

Artichokes anyone?

Our creek is freezing.

James enjoyed testing the ice,

But ended up filling his boots with ice water.

James' Birthday, James' Baptism, Gorges, Markets, Grandparents. Yey!!!

We have had a fun couple of days. Here are some pictures.

James's birthday "cake". He wanted Blueberry shortcake. Jackson loved the song also.
He also liked to smear the blueberry.
Jackson learning football moves.
We bought live lobsters for dinner on James' birthday. So good.

Not much left after dinner.

James's big day.

Again.

We went to the farmers market afterward. And then to . .

Taughannock Falls

T-falls

Buttermilk Falls

Ithaca Falls

The End . . . of the Vacation!

Well, our fabulous vacation had to end sometime! So, here's the last of the pictures.

Jackson never wanted to leave the beach.

Thanksgiving Day was the best weather day of all. It was beautiful and sunny. The beach was so much fun.
James and a bunch of other kids built lots of cool sandcastles.

We stopped in Gettysburg on the way home. Such a neat place.

James and Jack and Honest Abe.

Some playtime for the kids inbetween the serious stuff!

Gettysburg is a remarkably preserved place. There are over 400 canon, all placed in approximate positions to where they would have been. The earthworks, stone embankments, etc. that were built by the soldiers are preserved intact. The battlefield, according to what we are told, is virtually the same as it was in 1863.

For those who haven't been there, scattered around the huge battlefield are all sorts of statues and monuments built by the different states. Each represents a regiment of infantry, or in some cases, individual person/s who performed a memorable act of bravery or kindness. It's quite touching and inspiring to hear the stories and see all these memorials.

This is Little Round Top, the site of one of the major offensives on the 2nd of the 3 day battle.

This is the soldier's cemetary. I truly felt that I was walking on hallowed ground and felt inadequate as I considered the great sacrifice. 7,000 men died here, around 44,000 were wounded of the around 160,000 involved in the battle.

The Gettysburg address was given by President Lincoln at the dedication of the cemetary. He stood about where the tall statue behind us is.

"It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion--that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain--that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom--and that government: of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth." Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address October 19, 1863.

More of NC's Outer Banks

This morning I went kayaking on the ocean and had a good time surfing the 6-7 foot waves. I spent most of the time crashing. Sorry, no pictures of that.

This is from the kayak looking at the lighthouse where we set sail.

James loved riding around by himself.

We shared the boat usually.

Ready to get going.

Outer Banks continued . . .

Today we went to Roanoke Island and the Aquarium and had a great time!

Until an alligator bit my leg.

And Jackson decided to run into a wall.

James' favorite was the petting zoo. These rays were pretty slimy.

Tanks galore.

and James think he's pretty cool.

Water everywhere. The Island is actually in the sound part of the outer banks. Thus that is freshwater behind the boys.

Beach Bums

Today was a beach day. The weather was a little gray and misty, but not too bad. I think it's supposed to be sunny the rest of the week.

Jackson is mad at me because I was taking pictures instead of playing ball with him.
James was very excited to be at the beach. We rented wetsuits for playing on the beach and for kayaking since the water temperature is a bit chilly.

Jake and the boys. The only wetsuit we could find for Jack was a shorty, so he did get a bit chilly. He was fine with it until a huge wave knocked him over, then he was done with the beach for the day!

So amazing to be here--the boardwalk that goes down to the beach is across the street from our house.

I actually went for a run on the beach this morning, it was fabulous. So beautiful!