Here are a few shorts on what we have been up to.
In October, James and I celebrated 10 years of marriage. That is a pretty big milestone, or so it seems to me! We celebrated by going on an overnight trip to a Bed & Breakfast in the Hudson Valley (The Stone House). We had dinner at a nice restaurant overlooking the Hudson, and spent the following day touring a winery. OK...two wineries. The first one really was not at ALL what we were hoping it would be. It sounded lovely in the brochure, but our first clue should have been that the restroom was, well, a port-a-potty. Yeah...it was that bad. The second one was much more to our liking. The tour was self-guided, but the winemaker was there leading the tasting, and he gave a lot of interesting information on the process of making wine. Great wine, too!
Ryan played soccer this fall. He didn't really love it like I thought he would. I think part of it was the disorganization of the whole program. No two weeks were the same...until the last 2 weeks...which were the best of the season. Ah, well...perhaps next year. He is going to try basketball this winter, so we'll see what he thinks of that!
Ella is slowly warming up to preschool. We have made it quite a few days in a row, now, without any tears. Here's hoping that will continue after the Thanksgiving break. She's so darn cute, though, isn't she? :)
Ella at her field trip to the Fire Station
Some friends and I have started a book group at my house every other week. We are currently reading "What Women Fear" by Angie Smith. A GREAT read. It is opening my eyes to things that I didn't realize that I fear. Not sure what we will do next for a book...any suggestions??
We are staying home for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, and I look forward to starting (and continuing) some traditions in our own home. James has taken vacation during the week of Christmas this year (he would otherwise have to work on Christmas weekend). I'm thankful that he will be home to celebrate with us. I think, so often, of those who are in our armed forces and have been away from their families for months...birthdays and other celebrations missed. It makes my heart sad...and those commercials that are on this time of year...you know, the ones where the child is reading one of those recordable storybooks to his/her Dad across the miles. Oh, boy...those get me. It puts it in perspective when I think about complaining that my husband has to work an overnight, or an entire weekend.
I guess there isn't really a whole lot to update you on, but I had to start somewhere. I have more pictures, but I'm having a hard time getting them to upload. Bummer. Apparently there is a lot of busy-ness going around, because most of the blogs in my sidebar haven't been updated in quite some time!!
