Home for the Holidays

Even though we won't be going home to Utah for Christmas, we are still excited to celebrate Christmas here in Virginia with our little family. Mason woke up one morning to a mostly decorated Christmas tree - and was a little more than excited. How fun is it to be around little children this time of year? I love it!! Mason reminds me that the magic is not asleep. I love Christmas decorations. I love this time of year, and everything it symbolizes. I also miss not being able to play with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra for the Christmas Concert, but I've also loved getting several opportunities to play my violin here for Christmas parties and Concerts. Nate has been a champ to watch the boys for me while I'm away (usually they are in bed and he is studying). It really is, the most wonderful time of the year! We can't wait for Nate to finish his last final on THURSDAY! Then we'll spend a few days around Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, Jamestown, and Yorktown. I've been looking forward to this time this whole semester, and now it's HERE!!!! 

St Nicholas Day

St Nicholas Day (Dec 6th) is a tradition I borrow from the Dutch because I love them, and I love it. St Nicholas (whom we now refer to as Santa Clause - Sinterklaas in Holland), is a Saint who was born in Turkey circa 280 AD. He was an orphan who was left with a large inheritance, and was known for giving. We leave shoes out the night before, and during the night, St Nicholas leaves presents in them. The next morning we listen to Dutch Sinterklaas songs, and eat a yummy Dutch breakfast. Unfortunately Nate forgot to leave his shoes out, but that's Ok- I shared with him. Actually, it's Nate who reminded me to celebrate St Nicholas day in the first place :). You'll notice I left 3 pairs of my shoes out). Stan hasn't quite caught the vision yet- but he will someday!

Thanksgiving

This was our first Thanksgiving with just our little family. I admit I missed our families, but it was also fun to make some new traditions. We made Indian hats, and I told Mason about the Pilgrims and the First Thanksgiving (reading from 'The Landing of the Pilgrims', a book I just re-read in the book club my friend and I started here). Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday - because like many Americans, my family is so connected to this day. I grew up hearing my Mom talk about all of our Ancestors who came across the Ocean in the Mayflower - leaving behind their comforts of home, and some of them their families, to escape religious persecution and tyranny in England. I've always loved my Dutch because my Ancestors found a safe haven for many years in their shores. It was a place of peace. I love that when they arrived in America, they were protected by the hand of God, and found friends in the Native Americans there. I am grateful that such people as Massasoit and Squanto helped the Pilgrims survive their first winters there. I am amazed at their courage, and sacrifice - and the many lives that were lost along the way because of cold and illness. I love this tradition, because in many ways, I have seen my Ancestors escape religious intolerance more than once. There are many parallels between the Pilgrims of the 1620's, and the Pioneers of the 1840's.

We had dinner with our friends here at the Law School. I'm so grateful for a family here away from home.

Mason helping out with the dinner

Nate making his family's favorite pie. A new part of my heart lights up when I see Nate in the kitchen! I love you, sweetie!

friends

Lately I have loved how Mason and Stan can be in a room together playing while I make dinner or finish up a project. They both love it. The other day I peeked in and saw Stan looking at a couple of his favorite friends. Mason is the cutest brother! I love these boys!!!

Halloween

For Halloween we celebrated by carving pumpkins, making pumpkin cookies, and trick-or-treating on the main grounds at UVA. It was a fun way to celebrate!

just had to add this picture for fun. Stanley LOVES this giraffe (named Aunt Mona by Mason - who probably recognizes the long legs and neck).

 

Our 'M' and 'S' pumpkins we carved. We put them in the darkest place in our house - the bathroom so we could see the lights coming through better :).

Stan's pumpkin had an angry face because Stan was such a colicky baby. :).

Mason is my little helper when it comes to making cookies

Good times together. I'm glad it was cold enough to put on Stan's bear costume without him getting too hot :).

Family pics 2014

Even though I didn't get our Christmas cards out this year (maybe Valentine's Day?)- I'm excited about these fun pictures that my dear friend Eliza took for us. She is a girl of many talents. We took them at the University main grounds. My favorite part about these pictures, are the funny faces that Stan makes. So funny!

Even though the 'Keep Praying' sign wasn't written for us, I sort of feel like it was written for us :).

Octoberfest

While we don't drink beer or have Octoberfest here in VA (of course I'm just referring to my little family), our little Freeman family had some fun times together. Most of them were just with me and my boys - but when Nate is there, those are definitely some of our favorite times. Here are some pictures I grabbed with my phone.

Here is Mason with his cute little friend on Halloween. She has one of the cutest laughs I've ever heard.

observing our Softball team

a moment Mason capture of me being sick which lasted a few days. Thank heaven that is over!!

Mason learned how to climb into Stanley's crib. Several mornings I wake up to the sound of them giggling together - around 6:30. It makes for early mornings, but I can't think of a sweeter sound to wake up to.

My sisters, Grandma, Mom and I were featured in an advertisement for Women's Conference at BYU. It brought back a few of my favorite memories of last Spring. Two of my sisters (Jenet and Ellen) presented at Women's Conference. It was an amazing experience for me to be there, watching these amazing women who just happen to be related to me. I am so grateful for them in my life and for their sweet examples of Mothering!! I can't wait to be with them for Sister time in January!

Stanley is growing too fast!! 

On their way to a softball game. Mason loves pushing the stroller. He was a big help to me in the airport on our way to VA. People we pass think it's pretty cute. We tell them that he has to earn his living, somehow ;).

While jogging one beautiful fall day, I looked down, and this is what I saw. I think Mason was just tired of Stan laying on his shoulder, but Mason has also adapted to his role as a big brother quite well. He loves Stan, and Stan adores Mason. It's so sweet. Mason is protective of Stan, and lets me know when Stan needs something. I love how Mason has already learned a lot about how to sacrifice, and give, and love by being an older brother. He also knows Stan is looking to him as an example. I just love how they play together most of all.

Their first time swinging together. An older woman behind us at the check out line yesterday at the store said to Mason, "tell your Mom not to blink -  you will be grown before she knows it". I know what she's talking about. They grow so fast! I have thoughts sometimes about what it will be like when they aren't my little boys any more. It makes me want to enjoy each day that much more. How I love these little ones!

Autumn in Charlottesville

Hello Friends! Besides getting sick this week (both of my kids and finally myself today) it has been an amazing week. My dear cousin Laura was here visiting. Her brother's family who also lives here in Charlottesville, just received a new addition to their family - a baby boy named William. Together he, along with Laura's Mom, created a big enough incentive for me to get a visit from her as well :). We even got to have her and her sweet little boy, James stay with us! I totally fell in love with that little boy!

I got to take her on a walk around North Campus to visit the Law and Business Schools, and chat a lot. Her husband is an Investment Banker in NYC, so we can sympathize with each other being husbandless for a little while. She was an angel - telling me to take a nap while she watched my boys, doing my dishes, and cheering us up, all while being 6 months pregnant with a second little boy on the way. We miss her already!!

We also had a little trick-or-treat party with the Law School, and I played in my first softball game (miraculously hit the ball on my first try, but didn't quite make it to first base - sorry guys!). But for my first time, I wasn't extremely disappointed. At least my team made me feel pretty good about my play :) (thanks guys...you're the best!). Nate was proud of me because I kept my deal to play, if he came to Choir practice :).

Little Mason pumpkin, and little Stanley pumpkin..my only Halloween decorations thus far...but Mason LOVES them!

My walk with Mason last Sunday playing in the fall leaves, while Daddy took a nap. So cute how children delight in such simple things.

Future UVA Law Student I think

Taking the steps up to the UVA Business School

I don't know what they were looking at...but all I know is that those boys are super cute!

In front of the Thomas Jefferson Statue

Take a look at that beautiful Business School. Wow!

Sweet little James!

Cousin Laura and James, with Mason leading the way

Love that Mason boy!

Monticello

Saturday morning was just beautiful, so we decided to take our boys for a jog up a trail I've been anxious to take Nate to. It's the Monticello Trail that leads up to Monticello (Thomas Jefferson's home). Our boys were so good for the trip that we decided to take the tour as well. Their cute family tours kept the interest of Mason, and also gave us sweet glimpses into the life of Jefferson. Sometimes the best teachers are those for children I think. I decided to buy the annual pass, so I can take them back as often as I like. Thomas Jefferson - wow, what an amazing person. His home was so thoughtfully designed. The stories they told about him endeared me to him as a person. He spoke and wrote in 7 languages (Latin, Greek, English, Old English, Spanish, Italian, and French). He was a true Classicist - loved books, enjoyed astronomy, mathematics, history, - obviously a genius. Im grateful for such men who were men for their time. It's fun that Nate gets to study at his University. You can even see the University from his house. He was able to watch the Construction take place, from Monticello with his telescope :). So, thank you Thomas Jefferson - we owe you!

a candid moment I caught of Mason trying to comfort Stan

one of our favorite snacks

Thomas Jefferson's grave

the last stretch of the trail. this was the part we walked.

Stan having a little conversation with bear :)

Mason insisted on carrying his bear from his Aunt Jenica with him

Thomas Jefferson's garden. 300 variety of vegetables. I don't think that even my Parent's can top that.

Mason trying to identify some of the letters he has been learning about

a cute candid moment i spied while listening to a tour

Mason wanted in on the love I think

pretty view from Monticello

Our little babysitting group. Love these cuties!

just catching some close time with Dad

it's always better when we're together :)