Snow '09

Up in New Jersey for New Year's, we had a good covering of snow. While it upset travel plans for Mark coming up from Hampton Roads, and Amy looking to head back to Plymouth, the kids were able to enjoy playing together.

Here Elizabeth and Andy are constructing a snowman:


Ian enjoying a solo swing in the snow:


And Peter with Dan in the background:

Christmas 2008

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government will be upon his shoulder,
and his name will be called
"Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom,
to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and for evermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

(Isaiah 9:6-7, RSV)

The boys awoke at a reasonable hour, and were fairly patient before opening presents.
We first had to brew some Christmas Blend coffee, and then read from the Gospel of John (and of course they totally got the message that the presents weren't what was really important this morning -- uh huh).

To the Meskuns, your intermodal shipping crane was a big hit (and that's Ian's "Cheeeeese" face, not a sad face):

Here are the boys with presents from Uncle Mark, Aunt Carrie and the Ludovico kids (and thank you Elizabeth for the very sweet note with your school picture!):

Later today we have visitors from Clan Wallis, and rumor has it some family heirlooms will be arriving to be passed on to the boys.

Ludovicos Visit, Meet Matthew Alasdair

Carrie and her family were able to come up for a quick trip this weekend to meet Matthew Alasdair Brown. They brought supper with them for everyone, so we enjoyed a good meal around the table. After supper Dad and Tom played some bagpipes, and Andy demonstrated his [usual routine] on the piano.

The children played for an impressively long time on the porch without any, um, disturbances or need for supervision. After that we tuned in for some baseball and Star Wars, while Dad called out the Red Sox play-by-play off his computer.


Carrie and Mom enjoyed conversation in the living room:


Elizabeth seemed especially taken with her newest cousin, and did an excellent job holding him: