The Jesters: So Thankful!

We've had so many fun activities during the last month. The Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season is always packed, but I love all the events and the time we get to spend with our families this time of year.

On Veteran's Day, we recognized my dad's service in the Army with dinner at Texas Roadhouse. They were offering a free meal to veterans that day.

We took Hallie to her first StoneBridge School volleyball game when they made it to the state finals! (Emma was feeling especially saucy that night.)

The girls' volleyball team won the state championship for the very first time! It was so exciting!

StoneBridge School celebrated Thanksgiving with a Christian Heritage/Jamestown Day at school. All the kids got to dress up as Pilgrims or Native Americans. Emma got excited at first when she heard she would get to wear a "costume" to school, but turned adorably cranky when it turned out to be a black and white Pilgrim outfit. Not enough pink.

The school provided some traditional settler food for the kids to try. Emma surprised me by trying several things on her plate and giving them a thumbs up.

Emma and her friend, Amber, checking out the woodworking display

The excavation station, where the kids got to dig up bones and artifacts

Emma and her best friend, Elisha, cracking up before chapel started.

At the end of the day, each class had a Thanksgiving feast. Her preschool teacher is very wise and opted out of the traditional turkey and stuffing meal, since most 3 year olds won't eat it. Instead, we had chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, fruit, bread, and desserts.

For the second year in a row, we walked through the Christmas lights at Norfolk Botanical Gardens. They normally only allow cars to drive through, but for five days before Thanksgiving, they allow you to walk along the 2-mile path to enjoy the lights at your leisure. Dan's parents, my parents, and our four nephews joined us.

We started our 2-mile walk just before the sun set, so we got to see the gardens themselves. It was dark as we walked the two miles back to our car, so we saw all the beautiful light displays in full color.

After all that walking in the cold night air, the kids deserved dinner and play time at Chick-Fil-A!

Thanksgiving was a fun day with friends and family at Dan's parents' house! A couple of the cooks in the kitchen - Pat Bailey and Dan's mom.

Hallie enjoyed lots of attention from her cousins who met her for the first time!

The kids had a blast together in the game room

The men relaxing after a great meal. Left to Right: Dan's dad, Nas Bailey, Pete King, and my dad.

Kim and Christina King

After the big meal, we took a walk along the trail together. The perfect way to make room for dessert!

Keeping with another holiday tradition, Emma, Hallie, and I joined Dan's family recently to watch the Colonial Williamsburg Christmas parade. Dan couldn't join us because of a school event the same morning.

Left to Right: Dan's dad, Paul and Wendy Jensen, Dan's mom, and our niece, Miriam.

Left to Right: Dan's brother Tim, his sons, Aaron, Josiah, and Nathan,

Dan's sister Robin, her daughter, Naomi, and Emma

Despite the very cold morning, everyone really enjoyed the parade!

Fun times with my girl

Hallie somehow slept in her stroller through the entire parade, including drum corps, marching bands, and noisy motorcycle and antique cars passing by. I bundle her in this super soft, warm fleece onesie when we're out in the cold, and she can never stay awake in it. I should try it at night!