{brett, whitney, lincoln & griffin}

  This year I finally put a Christmas tree.  A felt tree.  I figured since we wouldn't even be here for Christmas day we wouldn't spend the money or time with a real tree, and this one worked great.  We had a small Christmas on the 20th after Brett's last final.  

 So excited to head home for Christmas!

 Lincoln got a fire station and LOVED it!  He is obsessed with the fire house door.

 That night Brett and I went to dinner to celebrate our anniversary, which is the 27th.  It's always so crazy at Christmas time so we thought we would celebrate before.  We went to a restaurant called Duner's and then to the movie Skyfall.  It was a great night.  Happy 4 years to us!

 2nd counselor in the young women for these gals.  I'm so happy to be in the young womens!

  McShades...

 Playing with dad...

 A group of friends and I went down to the childrens museum to play.  Lincoln loved it inside and played with everything.  Outside was a little different story.  All the other kids jumped on the carousel like it was the coolest thing ever....Lincoln cautiously stood by and carefully went round and round.  No joke, he is such a careful little boy. 

Sorry that was a little random, but hey I'm behind on blogging and gotta get caught up!

 Virginia has tons of trees...Lincoln loves leaves...The two have a wonderful relationship.

 Charlottesville has really dreamy weather.  On this day it was 60.  Pretty nice for the middle of December.

 Loves his pears.

 Building forts with dad is the best!

 Our cute friends the Bunker's held an Ugly Sweater Party and it was such a blast.  We love our friends here.  

 Lincoln recently discovered that he fits underneath the bed.  He goes under there with his cars and his blanket and stays a while.  He is darling.

 It might sound silly, but we have been working on this toy for a long time now.  Lincoln finally has it mastered!  Proud moment for me as a mom.

1. Great C'ville friends!

2. Wonderful weather.

3. Just weeks until we go home for Chrismas!

love him.

1. lincoln.

2. cute boy clothes.

3. quiet time book at church

 Lincoln was such a trooper.

 

 After Lincoln and I headed up to Michael and Staci's house.  Staci was kind enough to watch Lincoln while I went to the temple.  It was such a gorgeous night to go!

The next day we went to a fun bounce and play house.  Lincoln was so funny about the toys.  He was really nervous about the bouncing toys but LOVED the slide.  

  

 Naturally Lincoln fell asleep 5 minutes from home.  Awesome.

And a video from the slide :)

1. Temple.

2. Staci and her fam!

3. Making it through DC alive by myself.

This fall has blown my mind and has lasted for so long.  It's so beautiful here!  I'm so grateful that we are here in Virginia.  I love it so much.  We have an amazing ward and I have so many friends that I love already.  Brett is working really hard in school and is really busy.  Lincoln and I stay busy playing with friends, going to the library, going to parks, and exploring this wonderful town.  We're really grateful that Heavenly Father gave us the confirmation to come here.  Every day I look around and am grateful to be here and I know we are here for a reason.