Life in the U.S.A.

We enjoyed James Madison University football games this fall. 

 Paul had a great time playing recreational-level soccer this fall.

Sam loved Mrs. White's music classes this fall. 

Participating in Alianza, the Spanish-speaking congregation of Covenant Presbyterian Church, has been great. We even had a joyful Quinceañera.

 These boys and I love going for hikes and Stoney Man is one of our favorites!

 They can be found singing (often in Spanish) nearly everywhere.

Another "Tongen School of Excellence" field trip was to get our Spanish Visas in Washington, D.C.

The White House is beautiful.

 Future U.S. President Samuel Monroe tried to sneak through the White House fence.

 Future NASA astronomer Paul had done a homeschool project on the Hubble Space Telescope.

Native American culture researcher Micah took us to our new favorite Smithsonian museum, the National Museum of the American Indian. My friend, Jill, has a picture on her blog of a girl about to fall into a decorative pool in France, but the girl was caught just in time. Unfortunately for Sam's shoe, I was not able to take this picture and keep him from falling in.

 At least Sam is coordinated enough to be riding a two-wheeled bike at age four!

 Life in the U.S.A. also includes Veterans' Day parades.

Peyton and I trained for and ran the Richmond Half-Marathon!

13.1 miles of success! 

 In the meantime, Anthony and the boys visited his family. How cute are these photos that Nancy took?!!!

Since Micah had the flu, we stayed home for longer than we had planned during Thanksgiving break, but it meant that Julie and I could celebrate Laura's birthday.

We did finally get to go visit the Laceys; Paul did a great job of running the whole 3 miles of Sarah's Neighborhood Turkey Trot.

 Aunt Elaine, my mom, and Keith celebrated Thanksgiving with us at the Lacey's new home.

 We went on a Christmas tour of President Buchanan's Home.

 and we braved the Pennsylvania cold to play outside with cousins.

The boys and I have also had a great time helping with the After School Program at church. We teach the preschoolers, most of whom only speak Spanish.

Thankfully, we got snow at our house, so Sam could remember what it was like.

 Micah, Sam and Anthony sledding

 Paul sledding, too

 Prepare to have a snowball fight

 or maybe just cuddle in the snow.

 A friend asked Anthony last week what he was going to do this week at his mom's house.

 Cassie and Chloe came along to see the Christmas lights.

 Micah and Paul helped Grandpa shovel snow.

 Christmas morning enjoyment

 Thank you for the gifts, Aunt Marilyn!

 The boys had fun giving the Christmas gifts that they had made,

 but building new Lego kits and a Nano Block Eiffel Tower was fun, too!

Things to notice: Anthony's snowman peeps, the nativity ornament Paul made, wrapping paper from Mexico, Mark with Andrea and Grandpa Kenny, and Sam's wonder of watching the Christmas train.

I don't have enough pictures of this sweet nephew because I am usually behind the camera, and he has usually been on my lap this week.

Everyone gathered around Grandpa Doug to watch "Hardrock, Coco and Joe." If you haven't seen the two minute cartoon, you ought to check it out on YouTube.

 Anthony and his nephews enjoyed Christmas.

 Sam's favorite gift he received was this pillow that his brothers made for him.

 We got out Grandma's basket of toddler toys for Grant

 and had a good time playing together.

 Such a cutie.

 Merry Christmas to all from the U.S.A.!