Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Love, The Nolens

Things to remember

Joshua has been nervous about a school project.  He and his classmates are writing letters to Santa and Joshua says, "I can't think of anything I want to ask Santa for.  I have been thinking and thinking but everything I think I might want I already have.  I think I'll tell him to surprise me."  

He also had the following conversation with Nana last weekend:
Nana: "Who are your friends at school?"
Joshua: "I can't tell you that, it's top secret."
N: "Well, what is your favorite thing about school?"
J: "Recess."
He proceeded to tell her about there being other classes on the playground when his class it playing.
N: "Oh that is nice.  So I guess you get to play with other kids who aren't in your class when you go to recess."
J: "I don't play with kids from other classes because they are strangers and there is danger.  They might be in first grade and take me back to their class instead of letting me go back to my class and that would be bad.  So I only play with the kids in my class."


In other news...Anna Ruth got to use markers in her class yesterday!

Christmas arrives in Starkville!

The Starkville Christmas Parade was a pivotal moment in Joshua's Christmas timeline.

Christmas is officially here now that he has seen motorcycle cops, marching bands, the Board of Alderman, Boy Scout troops and Santa Claus (among other Starkville notables) in the parade.

For the first part of the parade, Anna Ruth didn't know what to think and just sat quietly watching.

But then the Maroon Band from MSU marched by and shortly after that the Starkville High School band came passed us, she started to feel the beat and realized she could get people to wave at her if she waved at them.  She loved it!

Merry Christmas from Starkville!

Giving Thanks!

We traveled to Durham, NC for Thanksgiving with the Nolen family.

Joshua and Anna Ruth could have been awarded "Road Warrior" badges for how well they did in the car.  We enjoyed listening to the Chronicles of Narnia on cd and looking at the skyscrapers in the large cities we drove through.

Anna Ruth just wanted some peace and quiet during nap time.

Uncle Jonathan and Aunt Michele were gracious to host everyone for Thanksgiving.

A box of Star Wars toys in what became "The Star Wars Room" was a highlight for Joshua.  He loved getting to play Star Wars with various family members and friends of Uncle Jonathan and Aunt Michele. 

Anna Ruth was impressed with Uncle Jonathan's guitar playing skills.

But in the end, Aunt Michele may have won Anna Ruth's heart by taking her upstairs every hour or two to look at the cats hiding under the bed.

Grateful for time with family that live far away!

Uncle Jonathan made us a yummy Thanksgiving meal.  Not the least of which was this turkey that weighed only 1 pound less than Anna Ruth!

Before we left for North Carolina, Joshua worked hard to make everyone a place mat.  He was so proud to have them used for the Thanksgiving meal.

Anna Ruth provided the after dinner entertainment as she danced her heart out.

We had a great trip and loved getting to spend time with our family.  Joshua hopes we can go back for Christmas because, "Uncle Jonathan said I could come back anytime!"