Let in Snow, Let it Snow, Let it snow!

Last Saturday we had the biggest snowstorm since we've been out on the east coast. I think here in Loudoun County we got about 2 feet of snow over the course of 24 hours. I am not a big fan of cold and snow, but I have to admit that it was beautiful. Luckily Joe has a truck, so we were able to get out and get our Christmas tree, but we saw people getting stuck all over the place. I think between Saturday & Sunday, Joe helped pull out like 4 people who were stuck. You would think people would realize that some cars are NOT meant to be driven in that kind of weather! Henry loves the snow and whenever we go outside he says "Snow!" which actually sounds more like "No!" It's pretty cute. We got some pictures to remember the snowy weekend.

The view from our balcony


What kind of ice cream should we get guys?


Helping Daddy carry the basket


Our snowy parking lot


Henry and Daddy in the snow

My car was COMPLETELY buried!

Officer Nunemaker

This past Monday was Joe's graduation from the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy. They had the graduation ceremony at George Mason University in Fairfax and then shortly after we went to his department for him to be officially sworn in. I am so incredibly proud of Joe for all of his hard work and dedication over these last 5 months. Getting up between 4 and 4:30 a.m. during the week is hard enough, but then he had to spend hours in classes, go to the shooting range, practice driving at the Old Dominion Speedway, do hours of PT, get sprayed with OC (pepper) spray, practice defense tactics, and SO many other things.

Joe has worked so hard and has definitely gone above and beyond to do a great job in all that was required of him. I am so grateful to have a husband who is so dedicated in all that he does and willing to go the extra mile to be successful. He does such a good job of taking care of our family. I know that he is going to be an amazing officer and that the people who work with him will quickly grow to love him.


Sorry for the dark pictures...the lighting wasn't great
and either was my camera

Coming onstage

Joe is the 4th person from the left

Session 121




Officer Nunemaker and Officer Rutter being sworn in




I got to pin Joe's badge on




Joe being
congratulated and welcomed
by the other officers in his department

Congratulations Joe! We are so proud of you!

(Henry after the long day)

Thanksgiving...a little late

So it's been like a week and a half since Thanksgiving and I never really posted anything about it. I was a slacker and didn't take any pictures, but we had a good time. We went over to John and Susan's (Joe's bro and his wife) house and Judy (Joe's mom) was here visiting from California. We had lots of delicious food...which led to lots of delicious leftovers. Susan did an awesome job with the turkey. It was SO good! I made green beans, homemade cranberry sauce and a double layer pumpkin pie. Judy did stuffing and cranbrosia and Barbara (Susan's mom) made gravy, mashed white and sweet potatoes, an apple pie, and a pumpkin pie. Writing about it now makes me wish there were more leftovers!

On Friday morning, we went to the holiday parade in Reston. It was FREEZING and the parade was kinda slow, with too much space between each group, but I think Henry and John had fun.

Here they are waiting for the parade to start in their strollers

Henry found a better location

for watching the parade

John and little John

Henry with his bell. Man I love this kid!

We weren't expecting to see crack out in the open on the streets of Reston, but were quite surprised. I could not stop laughing!