Unusual Holiday Lights

This year, we caught the local Girl Scouts' 8th annual night of luminaries at Country Park. They outdid themselves with over a mile of lights while also collecting food donations. Well done!

We continued our favorite lights tradition: driving under the home-made light balls throughout Greensboro's Sunset Hills neighborhood. My photo doesn't do justice to the beautiful scene and only a blanket of snow could have made it more magical!

Our 2008 Holiday Letter

Greetings, dear friends and family!

This has been a year of positive transition for us. We had been house "watching" for 3 years. Not ones to rush into anything, we finally made our selection and were fortunate to have our offer accepted from among three or four made within 48 hours (remember those days?). After having a few walls rearranged and extensive interior painting, we completed our move during the heat of mid-July, and were very thankful to complete the sale of our old home in October.

Ross (3rd grade) and Lydia (1st grade) are enjoying Claxton Elem. while keeping fond memories of their days spent with friends at Colfax Elem. I savor most days at home with Russell (age 2). I continue to counsel clients on Wednesdays while my dear sister keeps our kids. We're so pleased that our move puts us only 2 miles up the road from their family!

I enjoy reading blogs- especially those of people whom I know. Will you please let me know if you have a blog address, or know of one for any mutual friends? If you have any extra time (a rarity!), you can check for updates on my fledgling, semi-private blog: http://thomasgazette.blogspot.com.

This year, I was diagnosed with a low thyroid (http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art31686.asp). The actual name of my common condition is "Hashimoto's Disease". A friend correctly joked that sounds like something you get from eating Sushi! :) With a bit of medication, I'm regaining my energy and stamina (not a moment too soon, with these energetic kids running around!).

As you might imagine, J.T. has been extra-busy this Fall in his investment and financial planning work. He and the dedicated team at their firm are pleased with all they have done to protect and communicate with their clients in these challenging times. We're thankful that he has this steady, rewarding job. Before the economic turmoil intensified he completed marathons in our hometown of Greensboro in May, and on Grandfather Mountain NC in July (his tenth and toughest - with a 1,000 foot climb and 4,300 foot finishing elevation it deserves its reputation as one of America's toughest marathons). His parents are doing well. They remain in his hometown, Blacksburg, VA when not traveling the world for fishing, canoeing, garden tours and other adventures.

My parents are transitioning out of work: both of them are retiring this month (Mom from our church and Dad from Dow Chemical Co). Dad has the unusual distinction of never having left the company that hired him directly from his doctoral program in Chemistry 42 years ago. In recent years, he has traveled to Asia to help roll out plants that use his discoveries. My parents also love to travel together, and this summer Mom was able to join Dad as he traveled to Kuwait for two months for a plant opening.

Our travels were more restrained this year, but in addition to annual family traditions, JT and I enjoyed getting away together to his professional conferences in Southern Florida (Sudden Money) and Vancouver, Canada (the Chartered Financial Analyst global conference preceded our 15th anniversary - what a beautiful area!).

As we celebrate Christ's birth, we are so pleased to have baby news in each of our families: both of my sister-in-laws are expecting children! Honor (my brother Bryson's wife) is due with her second child in April and Anne Elise (J.T.'s sister, who married Phil Louer 15 months ago) is expecting her first child in June. We can't wait to hold these babies!

And finally, what would our Christmas letter be without at least one kid story? I made this note about a recent pizza outing:
Russell was in his usual wiggly mood. Late in our meal, he wadded up a napkin and threw it past Jen and onto J.T.'s plate. J.T. remarked with interest that Russell had thrown the ball with his left hand for a change and that it was a pretty good shot (J.T. is a lefty but our other kids are not). I smiled and agreed with J.T. He paused and then realized it: Our poor firstborn would have been scolded for that trick. Our second born might have had her remaining napkin taken away. But our third born only drew praise for his throwing arm!

We wish you a merry and meaningful Christmas!

Love,
Jen, J.T., Ross, Lydia and Russell

Exploring Around Blacksburg

While in Blacksburg for Thanksgiving we had a fun trip to a local park. Above, Lydia (6) helps Russell (2) to climb down the caboose's steps.
http://www.stepinit.com/caboose_park/caboose_park_recreation_blacksburg_va.htm

We had a special opportunity to walk along the bottom of Mountain Lake (a special local spot for at least a century, more recently made famous by the 1987 film Dirty Dancing). The lake has been known to empty out before: but not in over 100 years! Ross took a special, more challenging hike with his Dad and Grandpa in the early season snow! Jim Thomas posted some of their striking photos along with a bit of lake history here.

Thanksgiving 2008 in Blacksburg

We enjoyed another very special Thanksgiving with the Thomases. This celebration brought the wonderful news that Anne Elise and Phil are expecting their first child in mid-June. Anne Elise is feeling well and we can't wait to welcome our new niece or nephew!

As always, Gamma Beth outdid herself by cooking all of our favorite, traditional dishes. She and Anne Elise made some fabulous pies (which Ross and Lydia were busy admiring)!

Thanksgiving Performance and Trip

Lydia (front and center) performs a Harvest show with friends in their classroom.

Below, we traveled over the river and across the hills to Grandma and Grandpa's house overlooking Blacksburg. While en route, we called my Dad to check on his recovery from an infection that led to two hospitalizations this month. Russell is shown using my Bluetooth device. Dad is well on his way to a full recovery. :)

Winter Play on Nov. 19th!

This was the first snowfall in our new house. We were surprised by this overnight dusting of snow that produced a 2-hour-school delay!

Above, Russell is all bundled up in front of Great Harvest Bread Co. (one of our favorite shops) at Friendly Center.

Russell is a big fan of Sheba, the Humphries' sweet dog.

Our Wed. Night Dinner

Our kids with JT and their two local cousins at Quizno's. We love that Aunt Liz keeps our kids so faithfully each Wednesday while I counsel my clients. We enjoy catching up with the whole Bishop family each Wednesday evening.