This is the first year we have bought a real christmas tree. I don't think we can ever go back to the fake one we have in storage at home. It was so much fun going and picking out our tree, and getting it all set up. And walking inside the beach house with the smell of pine was just wonderful.

 There was a Christmas Parade in downtown Norfolk. As you can see by the kids' faces they were thrilled. There were lighted floats, Santa, lighted firetrucks, and just lot's of fun. It was strange celebrating Christmastime with no snow, and pretty warm days. But we had a lot of fun.

 We went to the parade with the Robertson's. They have one more daughter Gracie not in the picture. We loved getting to know the Robertson's they were great friends. The first day we arrived in Norfolk Chris (our church bishop) was willing to help us in anyway needed. He helped us find a place to stay, and calmed my troubled thoughts of showing up to a city with no home for my kids. :) Needless to say the first time he met us I was in tears because I was stressed from driving across country for a week, and then having no place to call home. But Chris and Heidi helped me to be positive and know that it would all work out. We taught their son Marshall in church. He reminded us both of my brother Matt. We enjoyed teasing him and getting to know all of their great kids. Marshall is also the one who taught Ryan to go crabbing. He was a modern day HuckleberryFinn.