Thankful for family!

Thanksgiving meal

The kids enjoyed playing with some of Jared's old toys and made some very impressive buildings out of blocks.

We had a wonderful Southern brunch prepared by Carol, Paul and Kim of fried mush, cheesy grits, scrambled eggs, fried eggs, sausage,  and fruit.

We celebrated Christmas on the 29th.  Here Jared is playing a tune on this gift for Lila from her cousins.

She boycotted most naps for time spent with people, but Grandma had the special touch for several short ones.

"Who is this for, Aunt Kim?"

The whole gang.
Rebekah, Jared, Bo, Lila, Carol, Paul, Blake, Gracie, Kim, Hans, Dave & Jill

Proud grandparents.  Four cousins here and one on the way!

Traditional Saturday night pizza

Playing a game and watching a college football game simultaneously

Lila grabbed and pulled at her first plate on Thanksgiving day :).  

Lila meets the Stutzmans!

We were so blessed to have the Stutzmans join us this year for Thanksgiving in Virginia!  Jared's parents (Paul and Carol), his brother Dave and wife Jill with Bo, Gracie and Blake, and his brother Hans with wife Kim and their baby (on the way) came from Illinois to celebrate with us. We were sad his oldest brother Matt was unable to make it from Texas, but we look forward to seeing him around Christmas.

Here Jared shows her off for the first time to the cousins.  

The highlight for me was enjoying watching the kiddos entertaining her, holding her, and showing her lots of love and affection.  (Kim's white chocolate caramel macadamia nut cheesecake was amazing!)

Happy to be with Uncle Hans, who will have his own little one to hold in April!

Gracie picked out these adorable matching outfits complete with rhinestone and ruffle black boots which didn't make it into the pictures.  Thanks Gracie!

I love this natural look of the girls.
Lila is doing her stare-at-the-fist stunt, and Gracie looks thoughtful as she sweeps her hair away from her face.

The boys enjoyed holding her about as much as Gracie.  I like the lighting and expressions on this shot.

Uncle Dave, Aunt Jill, and Bo and Gracie saying goodbye 

Paul and Carol and Hans and Kim stayed an extra day.  Kim got to hold Lila a lot the last day.

Lots of Babies

Lila is held by the wonderful midwife, Frances, who delivered her

This wasn't the best shot from the day, but it all happened so quickly and this was my best attempt :).
I enjoyed a potluck lunch last week with the ladies from our birth class and Francis, the midwife who taught the class.  The babies are in age order. The six in the middle were born the last 3 days of August, so most of us were in the hospital together almost 3 months ago!

Cuteness abounds

Attatched to Gloria

Fathers and daughters.  Lila and her cousin Ada are 3.5 months apart in age.

Dad straps Ada into a Costco cart next to her brother Atticus, which is a first for her!

Jewel is a favorite friend from church!  

I'm working on the Christmas card!

Senior Regional Orchestra

Jared had two students that auditioned and made it into senior regional orchestra.  The two day event took place at a high school in Lynchburg, Virginia.  Lila and I were able to go along.  We took her instruments along as well to entertain her for her longest car ride (2 hours).  She enjoyed listening to and tracking her red egg shaker, and could hold a jingle bell.  During the rehearsals, I took her to the downtown farmers market, and to the local mall to do some Christmas shopping, and we took a walk along the old main street.  Jared took her onto the stage and walked her through, the shiny instruments really grabbed her attention!  It was a great weekend!  

Last night we went to hear Caleb play in a concert with the Shenandoah Valley Children's Choir and the Youth Symphony at EMU.  A woman asked if it was Lila's first concert.  Nope :).  I did explain that her father is a music teacher.

1. Andrew Peterson and Bebo Norman, Covenant Presbyterian

2. Homecoming concert at EMHS

3. Touring Choir at EMHS

4. Festival of Praise at EMHS

5. Senior Regional Orchestra, Lynchburg

6. Good Company, Park View Mennonite Church

7. Shenandoah Valley Children's Choir & Youth Symphony, EMU

Caleb (cellist), Jared, Lillian (violinist), and Lila 

It was her first night away from home.  She did great!  She sleeps in her rock and play at home, too so this makes a night away pretty simple at this point :).

Fall 2013

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Lila's first soccer game!  Several of Jared's students were playing and they won!  

Leaves blown against our fence

Early morning nap 

Lila is dressed up for her first Thanksgiving meal with the Rhodes family.
She fit into Jared's moccasins that he wore as a baby.  

Talking to Uncle Martin