Saturday, December 26, 2009
Photos from Christmas
We've posted photos from our Christmas morning...watch the kids open their presents and see some of the bounty of the season. Merry Christmas everyone!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Can't *Somebody* Tell Me the Meaning of Christmas?
"Lights please? Thank you.
"'And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."'
"That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."
Merry Christmas from us all, with love in Christ,
--Eric, Mary, David & Sarah
"'And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."'
"That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."
Merry Christmas from us all, with love in Christ,
--Eric, Mary, David & Sarah
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The Snowpocalypse? The Blizzard of '09?
However the media try to label it, we just had a beautiful time with our 18" of snow this past weekend.
The snow began Friday night around 8:30, and it was cold enough that it began to stick right away. When I woke up Saturday morning the ground and streets were white, but from the bedroom it looked like maybe a 2-3" snowfall. Imagine my surprise to find about 8" waiting in the driveway when I started shoveling!
Mike Schipono and his AWD Pilot came by to go to the gym; we were two of six guys in the spin class that morning. Then on getting home I started shoveling again. By the time I finished the driveway, and the front walk, the places I had started shoveling had another couple of inches on them again, so I had to do it twice. I then cleared a walkway to the woodpile out back, and at 12:30 Saturday afternoon, we had 16" of snow in the back yard. The kids, of course, spent a bit of time romping in the snow and sledding back in the Pit, but also a bit of time indoors...it was cold, and windy sometimes.
Later that afternoon I went back out and shoveled again. The snow was beginning to slow, and the flakes became smaller and less dense. When all was done, I measured again and with the snow settling, it now measured around 18" in the back yard.
Sunday, church was cancelled, so we stayed in and made the most of our snow day. It was also a chance to get some pictures of our yard and enjoy the beauty of the gift. There's still several inches on the ground, and unless it starts raining early tomorrow, we should have a white Christmas in Virginia for only the second time I can remember in our 17 years here.
The snow began Friday night around 8:30, and it was cold enough that it began to stick right away. When I woke up Saturday morning the ground and streets were white, but from the bedroom it looked like maybe a 2-3" snowfall. Imagine my surprise to find about 8" waiting in the driveway when I started shoveling!
Mike Schipono and his AWD Pilot came by to go to the gym; we were two of six guys in the spin class that morning. Then on getting home I started shoveling again. By the time I finished the driveway, and the front walk, the places I had started shoveling had another couple of inches on them again, so I had to do it twice. I then cleared a walkway to the woodpile out back, and at 12:30 Saturday afternoon, we had 16" of snow in the back yard. The kids, of course, spent a bit of time romping in the snow and sledding back in the Pit, but also a bit of time indoors...it was cold, and windy sometimes.
Later that afternoon I went back out and shoveled again. The snow was beginning to slow, and the flakes became smaller and less dense. When all was done, I measured again and with the snow settling, it now measured around 18" in the back yard.
Sunday, church was cancelled, so we stayed in and made the most of our snow day. It was also a chance to get some pictures of our yard and enjoy the beauty of the gift. There's still several inches on the ground, and unless it starts raining early tomorrow, we should have a white Christmas in Virginia for only the second time I can remember in our 17 years here.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Foreign Languages in Fairfax County Schools
With the 2010 budget being so tight, there's a move afoot to trim foreign language education in Fairfax County Schools. I've been forwarded a link to a petition to help keep foreign language education prominent, and available as an immersion program for elementary-age kids. If you'd like to support this effort, please click here and complete the survey. Please give foreign language education in Fairfax County a boost!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
It's Beginning To Look A *Bit* Like Christmas
A very rare treat today: snow in early December in Virginia!
We're expecting only an inch to three inches max, but as of lunchtime the grass is almost covered, the bare branches are outlined in white, and the gold leaves still on the tree out back are standing out against the field of white.
We have Christmas shopping to do, and then maybe get out the first of the decorations. I think a roaring fire will be in order when we get home, and begin to make the house look a little more appropriate to the season.
We're expecting only an inch to three inches max, but as of lunchtime the grass is almost covered, the bare branches are outlined in white, and the gold leaves still on the tree out back are standing out against the field of white.
We have Christmas shopping to do, and then maybe get out the first of the decorations. I think a roaring fire will be in order when we get home, and begin to make the house look a little more appropriate to the season.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Photos from Mary's Party
I've uploaded the photos from Mary's party from the digital camera; the disposables I need to get loaded still, and I know we'll get more from everyone who took pictures that night. But in the meantime you can click here for pictures of her 40th birthday weekend.
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