Christmas 2021

The experience of shopping and accumulating items in our home aren't my favorite things. 

However, this before face with the audio of "open it, open it!" for the gift she had picked out for her brother,

And the after face once he received it, inspire me to enjoy gifts through the eyes of those I love.

And they were loved on and gifted by many. 

There was also the gift of being able to gather. 

In New Hampshire for cookie decorating,

and sledding,

cousin bonding, 

playing with Great Grandma's pewter figurines,

and teaching Grandpa how to latch hook.

 

Thanksgiving 2021

Some Christmas gifts came before Thanksgiving this year, as we started the celebrations of both holidays while in Pennsylvania.

Sophia loves selecting gifts and giving them.

Her Great Aunt Jan gave the gift of a piano lesson.

Bop-bop spent some time on the piano as well, but mostly with the model train table which was very popular.

Aunt Rachael and Uncle James brought the big kids over to the playground before the Thanksgiving meal.

Nada joined us for dinner and wrote what she was most thankful for along with the other guests (Jason wrote: "Sophia").

Nana and Bop-bop hosted the six of us, as well as Uncle Ray and Aunt Jan, Cousin Emilie, Nada, Rachael and James.

The day after Thanksgiving we rode the train into Philadelphia.

The Franklin Institute was having a special exhibit on Christmas Trees and Trains.

I was particularly thankful for the time we got to spend with Emilie since she lives in Louisiana.

About a month earlier we had gone to the Plymouth Plantation.

This trip was inspired by Sophia's realization that there was a nearby physical representation of what she was learning in school.

I loved how hands on the experience was, with plenty of opportunities to climb and run.

The chickens were the highlight for the younger three.

And while Sophia was the only one who listened to a lecture on the first thanksgiving, the rest of us were still able to immerse ourselves in the time and place.

Halloween 2021

Halloween has become almost a month long event, with artwork from school, and sparkly candy corn clothes giving joy to those in our home. 

In the weeks preceding the official candy collection, there are foster care and church events.

This year our love bugs were able to participate in carnival games,

and request candy for the first year on their own behalf.

At school Sophia and Jason loved turning each other into mummies.

On Halloween night the littlest among us ran from house to house and were delighted by what was given to them. 

Jason and Alannah held up the rear, repeating their roles from the prior year as a Bat and Queen Elsa.

And Sophia was excited to have friends join the crew for the first time.

Fall Fun 2021

I love how enjoyment during childhood is found in broken down tractors and leaf blowers.

The importance that is given to picking the perfect pumpkin.

And the pride that is taken when you can pick it up yourself.

Or the creativity of using it for a seat when you are two and tired.

This was the first year the younger ones were able to fully participate in apple picking.

Eating apples directly from the trees and carrying the bag to put them in were equally appreciated.

Petting farm animals and making a scarecrow out of Grandpa's old clothes were also a part of this wonderful weekend.