Happy "Gift-Giving"!

We had a quiet Thanksgiving this year here in Annapolis. Especially at big holidays like this one, we find ourselves missing our family members that live too many miles away.... and Adam specifically misses Mom Roberts' cooking & the Roberts' delish rolls!! With as much traveling as Adam has recently done for dental school interviews, we did appreciate being at home without a crazy schedule for a few days. And, voila, we got the rest of the boxes unpacked! Aaaand, Momma B and Adam painted two rooms (ones that were scuffed up and white and in much need of some color!) Not only that, but we decorated for Christmas because 'TIS THE SEASON! We have played pandora's Bing Crosby Holiday station so much around here that it has frozen the computer a few times. Adam is now off in California on another interview for 2 days, and it is really nice to be able to enjoy the fruits of our weekend labor, ie, a little more space, organization & ambiance around here.

And so, yet another year, we find ourselves grateful for so much. Even with the daily big & little struggles we face, we most definitely have amazingly blessed and abundant lives. We have been given freedom, provision, health, friendships, community, family, love and Jesus... and the list goes on and on. And it definitely is good for us to think on that list every once in awhile. We know this time of year when the emphasis is on family, friends, food & gratitude, it can be a hard season for some. And so our prayers go out to those who struggle with heartache in this season, while also struggling to be thankful in all things.

Like most parents, we can easily list one of our greatest gifts: Our kiddos, ie, these two munchkins...

And those adorable kiddos had a good time this Thanksgiving -- even though they had no cousins around to play with! It was a small crew this year consisting of Dad & Mom B, Peter & Janelle, & us. Oliver & Anabelle enjoyed getting all the attention from the adults and played pretty well just with each other.

Still oh-so-very grateful for one another, too

The happy newlyweds

Poppy & Lolli Burls

And a few pics from our Thanksgiving 2011...

And I'll let Anabelle say the farewell.... she loved recognizing Thanksgiving - which actually sounded much more like, "Gift-Giving" when she said it. I think that's just wishful thinking on her part, ha! We love you, faithful readers & friends! Hope it was a Blessed & Happy 'Gift-Giving!'