Christmas 2008 Update

As hoped, some of the Wallis family heirlooms arrived later today. And they were good.

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.

Fellin' Christmas Trees, Episode II

Like last year, we travelled to the Snicker's Gap Tree Farm in Bluemont, Virginia to cut down our Christmas Tree.  The weather felt just right. Debbie says this was the biggest crowd she has seen there.  Remembering last year's stump-cutting event, Tom broke away from his studies to handle the fellin' himself.

The kids had a great time picking a tree.

Andy's favorite part was watching Granda cut the Wallis tree, he tells us.

The boys were a big help dragging our new tree off for purchase and the trip home.


Now we're all set for the start of Advent tomorrow.

Scottish Games

Three weekends ago we went to the Anne Arundel Scottish Festival and Games.  We enjoyed watching the pipe bands march on:
Jessica's parents made an appearance too. This photo was taken while watching the Border Collies herd sheep around, just before Mom got lost:
Ian, Peter and Tom enjoyed listening to the band competitions, as well as the solo pipers in the Piobaireachd competition (results), while others looked for Debbie.The day was rounded off with eating overpriced haggis puffs, mince meat pies, and "Scottish" pies, as well as shopping for overpriced practice chanter reeds.  As always, it was a good time.

Fellin' Christmas Trees

Here are some photos from when Jessica took the boys to fell a tree (with the able assistance of Uncle Josh -- note the huge stump sacrificed from our now squat tree), along with Grania, Granda, Bryony, Meredith and Elizabeth.