What we've been up to....

Well, this might be a short post with another post hopefully quickly to follow. We have been going like crazy the past few weeks so now that we are settling back into our normal routine (as much as things can be normal in December), here is what has been going on. 

A few weeks ago the kids ran in a Fun Run race to support a local Christian adoption agency. The kids attempted the fun run and Tom ran in the 10K (and came in 4th place with a great time). Let's just say we were "that family" who ended up with one kid crying on the ground a mere 3 feet from the start line (Isaiah) and another crying half way through when she realized it wasn't going to end with a victory and being overwhelmed with people watching her (Savannah). Neither finished the race. They did enjoy the post race snacks including a cookie at 8am.

 The only pictures I got before the race. Notice Savannah biting her nails.

 We also took some of our Cross Culture kids with us to cheer on the runners, fun was had by all!

We then cooked a Thanksgiving feast for Cross Culture that week to celebrate before the holiday and help remind the kids of all that we have to be thankful for!

The next day we left for Indiana (State of)- this will be important later- to visit Grandma and Grandpa Stephens and the rest of the Stephens clan. We arrived Saturday night and were really excited to see everyone. Sadly, the next morning Tom's mom got the call that her father "Pap Pap" Rising had passed away. He had been sick for a while and not doing well but it was still hard to hear. We packed up again and ventured to Indiana (town of) Pennsylvania for the funeral and to visit with family there. We got to be there to celebrate Pap Pap's life and his love for his family. We enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with one of Tom's cousins. Matt and his wife Allison were amazing hosts for us in their beautiful new house! Thank you Kimmel Family.

We were glad to enjoy the holiday with the Stephens and great extended family. We then stopped by NC to visit my family kinda last minute on the way home. The kids had so much fun seeing all their grandparents and cousins in a weeks time. We even got our now annual Christmas Tree from Pennsylvania from Grandpa's farm. Isaiah  had the priviledge of picking it out this year.

 Robert "Bob" Rising

 Pap Pap with all the Grandkids and Great grandkids last Thanksgiving

 Grandpa with the kids at the farm.

 "That one"

 Super Grandpa

 The whole Stephens family

 This is what happens when Thanksgiving wears you out....

 Just the Grandkids

 Jackie, Allison (our host), Shanna, me (and Ellie), Andrea

 Tickle time

 Story time

 Sweet Ellie time. This picture might have been one of her "lets stay up until 10:30 smiling, laughing and playing" nights. Ellie was a hit!

These last few pictures are the kids with Uncle Larry and Aunt Carol our very generous hosts who literally gave up their own bed for us. The LOVE our kids and our kids LOVE them!
We also had the priviledge of hanging out with some friends from Richmond (who now live near Harrisonburg VA) who were traveling near my parents house. It had been 2 years since we saw Justin and Ashley and we have both added a baby to the mix. We seem to be living parallel lives in so many areas and it was sooo good to catch up with them. We desperately wish we lived closer to do life together but maybe one day....

Tom, me, Ellie (asleep), Savannah, Isaiah, Adeleine, Wiley, Ashley, Calvin and Justin.

When we first met there were no kids and we had both just moved to Richmond. Our kids are all between 2-3 months older than each of the Hormel's kids. They are all opposite gender so we figure arranged marriages should be appropriate right! It was great to see them!

Savannah and Wiley being betrothed a few years ago......

Well, my short post turned out to be longer than I thought it would be. We will make an attempt to do better with blogging!!! Sorry for the long period of silence.