Because Big C. WOULD NOT LET ME REST this weekend until we had at least SOME Christmas lights on the house, I give you - Our Front Porch. Aren't we festive? He wanted to put lights on the shrubbery and the potted plants, too, but Muma just plain ran out of energy to complete the assignment. I think he's going to grow up to be one of those adults whose house causes traffic jams because of the sheer volume of Christmas lights adorning his home's facade. We all know the type. I just happen to suspect I'm raising one....

Photographic Interpretation of Muma's brain after five days of no school and three days of (the children eating) too may sweets:

After the Thanksgiving feasting, we headed downtown to participate in the annual "Lighting of the Christmas Lights". We managed to take a few pics with the famous downtown Christmas tree. We also indulged in the awesome cupcakes at the Cupcake Bakery downtown. 'Coz we needed a few more calories....
While it would appear to be below freezing, based upon my children's attire, all I can tell you is that living in the south has severely impaired our ability to withstand even the slightest cold. Seriously, in Pennsylvania they'd still be wearing shorts in this weather....

The pictures really speak for themselves...this was our first - of two - Thanksgiving Feasts, which was held at school. The second feast was held at home, and Muma neglected her camera in favor of actually preparing a decent meal. So, we've eaten our share of turkey and pumpkin and cranberry! As for the "Native American" headdresses the urchins are sporting, let's just say I wasn't really prepared to go there......

The real reason Dada has a bad back.....

A few shots of the farmhouse from last weekend...as you can see, we're making progress.

The "new wing" is up and the siding is on and painted. We still need the shutters, and I'm reserving judgment on the siding color until then. (I think the siding is too light. And too similar in color to the trim color. But the thought of re-painting it is giving me hives So, here's hoping the shutters make everything look better.)


And inside, ahhh, it's beginning to look like the inside of a house ought to...which is to say, we have real walls, now!
The kitchen has walls, too. Big C. and one of the sissies inspect the handiwork of the plasterers.

This weird shot is from the back field looking toward the rear of the house. The three long things that look like we've buried super-sized snakes just under the surface are the areas where the geothermal system has been buried. Apparently, the soil on the surface is eventually supposed to "settle" down to level, but I'm thinking that we're going to have to help it along some.
That, or we can start our own Nazca Lines site in Virginia. That'll get the archaeologists' attention....

Halloween Redux.

Field Trip!!!
Sadly, not to France but to the local Special Ops museum (because, hey, when in Rome....)



Here, Little Miss. P. assists in a search and rescue operation.

Here, local military stand watch while my urchins run about, throttling dolls and looking for things to TOUCH. You know, the look on this mannikin's face is eerily similar to the expression on my face after spending two hours at the museum running after my punks.....coincidence? I think not.


And finally, we sat down and had some tea with these guys.

So the birthday boy celebrated his birthday in style, with lots and lots of Star Wars themed pageantry and some good friends and some good food. And some cool presents. Because that's how a birthday should be, no???
Thanks to Julie for taking the pictures, as my camera battery died about 6 seconds before the guests arrived. Sigh.

Trunk or Treat , thanks to Michelle and crew and their church. The kids loved the fact that they will have a chance to dress in costume THREE TIMES this October. This first one was for "Trunk or Treat" at Michelle's church (thanks for inviting us, Michelle!), followed by the Halloween party at school, followed by trick or treating on Halloween night itself. We are definitely getting our money's worth out of the costumes this year!A very handsome Anakin Skywalker escorted three lovely Princess (two Snow Whites and a Belle) to "Trunk or Treat".....

And I got to cuddle Ms.Lil, who was scrumptious in a cuddly Pooh costume.

Yup. Jiu jitsu.
Take that, bad guys.

We've been having a problem with gangs here in the neighborhood.

Biker gangs.



They hang around, cruise reaaaaalll slow up and down the streets, looking for trouble. And trouble always finds'em.




Some days they can be out there for hours.



I think the neighbors are starting to worry.

Trouble.
If these faces aren't trouble, I don't know what is....

We spent a little time at the playground on Saturday. Now that the weather is not so blisteringly hot, we're slowly getting back into the routine of the playground visit. AND, as an added bonus, I remembered to bring along the camera - the camera that was replaced for FREE because I was "duped" into buying the extended warranty a year ago ( I know - I usually pass on the extended warranty, too, but the little voices in my head that day seemed to think it was a good idea. Thank god for the little voices). So, I now have a NEW, FREE camera and it's great because it is small and compact and takes reasonably good shots of the kids when the need arises.
Thusly:
So it was hot enough that the girls' cheeks look sunburned - we worked up a "glow" at the playground!

This is a photo from some time ago - Grandstand and his Granddaughters walking through the D.C. Metro station (which they thought was a fine - but slightly too dark - Disney Ride) en route to Rick's retirement ceremony. The light was bad and I couldn't get a decent shot, but I like this anyway, so here it is.

See, this, THIS pretty much explains Fayetteville. They build a new bridge (at great expense and inconvenience to the general populace) and then set up weirdly ambiguous signs indicating you should jump off said bridge to the left or right - because god only knows what's over the little rise.

The first day of school for the girls was actually the SECOND day of school for Big C., as preschool is a Monday/Wednesday/Friday affair, while the big boy is now in Pre-K. which occurs every single day of the week. So, Big C. went on Tuesday, and EVERYBODY went on Wednesday. If you follow.

The photo above is our drive to school and the photo below was my Very Dramatic Daughters on their first day back. Still darn cute, though.

First day of school for the big man today! (The girls start tomorrow). And the girls' second day of dance classes! We're busy here. And we're cute.

Because yesterday was our first day of dance class...
Many thanks to Michelle for having a camera that works and snapping this shot!!!!

Behold - we have a front porch! And dentil molding!
Now we just need some trim, a real front door, a back porch, a real back door, some shutters, and we'll be good to go!!!
Right?

Upper and lower level, taken from the stair landing. Just because I like this shot.
Although somebody really needs to dust that banister....

The Craziest August.

August has been a crazy month for us! Lots and lots of travel to lots and lots of wonderful events....some of which I remembered to photograph...First, we enjoyed attending the Retirement Ceremony for dear Chad, up in Norfolk, VA.
Aren't they handsome?
Congratulations, Chad!

And the Change of Command Ceremony for Rich, waaaaaay out in CA.
Aren't they handsome?
Congratulations, Rich, and we're looking forward to seeing you over here on the east coast, soon!
And most importantly, the Retirement Ceremony for Rick, held up in D.C.. And which I have absolutely no good photographs of, because my sister (yes Lynn, I'm talking about you) was uh, "overly challenged" by my "fancy" point-and-shoot. Ahem.

But here he is, having one last look at the helos he loved to fly...


I'm still trying to find a photo of him in his "chokers" at Delice's wedding....The interesting thing is, this month I have seen more of "Rick in white" than in our entire relationship to date. Those Navy whites are lovely. I think he looks very handsome in them. But ya know, from a purely practical point of view, white? White is a Very Silly Color (or absence of color, I suppose) for a uniform. Seven seconds of wearing it and inevitably there's a smudge or a smear or Something. Good thing the medals distract the eye!

The summer kitchen "wing" has now been officially replaced with this, the new, improved, better-tasting and longer lasting (we hope) east wing. It is definitely a little bit bigger than the old wing, and decidedly sturdier. And a new roof has already gone on top since this picture was taken. It is becoming clear that the very lovely black walnut tree that looms over the place will likely have to be cut down in the not-too-distant future, as it is just a little too close for comfort. Dammit.

Below, there's really good picture of the outline of the old summer kitchen wing, and in sharp contrast, the wall of the new wing. There's also a smidgen of the future stairwell visible in the lower right corner, and on the left - a little tiny sliver of the doorway leading into the old portion of the house.




The pretty - but doomed - black walnut, and yet another shot of the new east wing! You kinda just have to imagine a roof here, which I assure you will be there in the next set of photos I plan to take when I get up that way again - end of August, I'm hoping....
So, progress is being made. And lots of thanks and shout-outs to all of you who have expressed an interest in this crazy undertaking, and who continue to encourage me in my folly. I really love this albatross of a house, and can't wait to throw our first party!!!