Thanksgiving Day 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good" (Psalm 107:1).

Cheryl and I are enjoying a quiet day. She'll be baking some pies, and we'll be enjoying time with friends this afternoon - a wonderful and hospitable family from our church.

Cullen, meanwhile, has been happily playing. He's been enjoying that Tonka truck he was given for his birthday, and we also bought him a little dumptruck that carries his blocks. He definitely needed some new toys, and trucks are a big hit these days. For what it's worth, he likes to throw trucks also.

We'll miss the Shomo Side over Thanksgiving and Christmas... please come visit in the spring (or sooner)! If it's any incentive, let me remind me that even though it occasionally snows down here it doesn't stick... Forecast for today is sunny and 59 degrees.

Don't Tell Cheryl, But...

Forecast for Virginia Beach from weathercentral.com.

Don't tell Cheryl, but it's snowing in Virginia Beach today. I tried to take a picture but the camera objects, and refuses to do it. Our camera has always wanted Cheryl's approval, and I suspect this is why it takes her side on issues like this.

I've heard rumors of snow in this area before, but didn't think it would happen here. Especially in light of global warming...

Friends and family who associate the word "beach" with "Pacific Beach" or "La Jolla Cove" in San Diego can now understand that there are a few slight distinctions between where we live now and where I lived then!

First Haircut

No more "Cullen The Longshanks" -- 15 month old Cullen had his first haircut today, courtesy of our friend Amy, who did the deed in a spare room at the church. As you might notice, Cullen wasn't happy about the experience, but in his defense he is not feeling well from a couple vaccines he got yesterday. It's not a dramatic difference, I just wanted the back cleaned up a little...it needed it but the curls are gone :( I think it was almost as traumatic for me as it was for him! And thanks to another friend Alice we have photos of this momentous occasion... I forgot my camera (which is not hard to do considering it is a real pain to use). I have good camera news though, I am getting a DSLR for Christmas and I am so excited!!! The photos on our blog should definitely improve.

Who Goes There

Blog activity is low in the family realm these days, I notice (except Karen, who's keeping the dream alive). Here's another picture from our trip to the Northeast, sent by Cullen's Grandpa Jim.

Best of the Best

These are some of the best family pictures from our trip. We have more to share, but didn't want to miss out on posting these. I'm taking a personal privilege and posting my favorite scene first - Cullen and Dad, celebrating the best season of all in the beautiful Northeast!

Here's Cullen and Mom:

The family:

Two grandmas (one great) and Cullen:

These are certainly the best of times!