One for all, all for One

 Yes, we have Three Musketeers. One for all -- Athos leads, Porthos follows.

My precious friend Kara and I took our (5 between the two of us) sons on a beautiful hike to the top of Stoney Man. One of Paul's highlights was getting to watch an airplane fly below us. Here's some philosophy for the day: We moms are one for all (we are being poured out individually for our kids and others) but we are also all for One (together we are being filled up by Christ.)

 I love seeing my adventuresome Musketeers on top of the world together, learning to be all for One.

One for all -- Athos has got your back, oh littlest Musketeer.

 Porthos and Aramis had adventures with Grandma Bev in her beautiful spot.

 "On guard! I want wheels on my feet, too! I did just learn to walk, you know!" - Aramis

 One for all (Athos teaching Porthos to skate) all for One (the love of God) at the church skating party

 All for One in the pile of leaves out back.

 Musketeer training includes being thrown into the pile of leaves by dad.

Do you think these Musketeers are sufficiently trained for one-for-all adventures?

Thankfully, Papa came to vacation in November. We can't let him get out of work completely, so Anthony broke a window so that Harold could show Porthos how to repair it as part of his one-for-all training.

Ahh. How sweet it is to be together. Harold has had some health issues since the new year, but we are excited that he is doing much better. We each love him a lot!

 Athos and Porthos carry sticks (aka swords) "to fight off bears."

 And we wonder where our second Musketeer gets his incredible balance?

The three Musketeers have their buddy D'Artagnan as the protagonist of the story, so we might have a new nickname for Jack!

 Kraynaks' Christmas display fills the Musketeers with wonder.

 Can you clarify for me, Porthos; is this a duel or a hug?

 Grandma Jo cooked a great German feast for this Einer für alle, alle für einen bunch!

One for all -- Athos cares so sweetly for Aramis!

All for one:  stick together no matter what!

Happy Birthday, "Queen Anne of Austria!" She is such a good sport with all of the Musketeers around; you could say she is also "one for all!"

Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too

Since this is the boys' baby book, after all, I need to be sure to include photos like this one (no matter how distant or blurry) of Micah's school performance in October. He had a little solo and did great!

Micah is taking violin lessons at JMU this year and has learned a surprising amount. (He is willing to practice!) He was dressed as Tigger while little Dumbo was trying to get to his violin.

Now, little Dumbo is trying to get the camera. I love this costume that had been the Lacey's! After I took it off of Sam, he kept swatting at his own ears with a perplexed look: "Hey where did my ears go?" Plus, with the extra padding, he was more courageously trying to walk as an elephant.

Violin class

I really enjoyed the glimpse into life as a family of mostly big kids when we took our first family bike ride! Since then, I got a bike trailer from a thrift store.  I have biked around town a lot, even this winter, with Sam tucked in more safely than on the back of my bike.

Winnie the Pooh and Tigger too took Grandma and Grandpa walking around downtown when they came to visit. It sure was nice of Kaelyn and Noel to pass on their costumes!

We also took Joletta and Doug to a Dukes game to show off our amazing close-to-the-field-on-the-45-yard-line seats for this season. Next fall, we'll be way up high, but it was fun while it lasted.

It was pink day.

JMU is a pretty place.

Thanks to my friend Sarah's willingness to loan me one of her elephant heads, 

we were able to add a family of Heffalumps to our church's fall festival.

My friend Emily took this adorable picture of Miriam and Paul.

Then, it was back to our house to show hospitality to the many folks who come to our street.

Dumbo's little tail says it is the end of October photos.