Where's the snow? Where's the snow? Where's the snow?

So I'm a little late getting Christmas stuff posted; but better late than never, right?! It was kind of hard for me to get into the Spirit of Christmas this year because we were like the only state in the nation with NO snow. I mean, not even a flurry of snow. I was so jealous to hear about all the snow everyone else was getting. Even Las Vegas where Uncle Ty-ty was stranded because of record snow fall!!! Come on now- they are used to no snow for the Holidays!

Needless to say, we had a great holiday! Before Christmas, we took Liala to New York City for a weekend so she could see the festivities there, and meet the infamous Macy's Santa Clause! When we got through the line to see him, she bawled (of course, he is a strange old, smelly man!). But overall, I think she enjoyed her trip to New York. We also took her to the American Girl Doll Store which is the largest in the nation, I think. She is still too young to understand it all, but I think she enjoyed it.

We saw the ice-skaters at Rockefeller Center and the big Christmas Tree. Which I was a little disappointed in. Seeing it on television, I thought it would be prettier and much larger, but it didn't seem that way to me at all. Oh well, just being there was amazing. It brought back many memories of going to the city every weekend when I lived there years ago! How time has flown by.

On Christmas Eve, we took Liala to downtown D.C. to see the Christmas trees there. She liked seeing the train set they have set up around the main tree! She also got to sit on Santa's lap there, but again, she hated it! Maybe next year she will enjoy seeing him!

Christmas was fun this year. Liala really enjoyed opening presents all morning long. And I mean all morning. I guess we didn't figure in all the presents she received from family and friends, or we wouldn't have spoiled Liala like we did. She especially loved her Tickle-me-Elmo! She had a blast with him all morning. It was fun for us to watch her enjoying the gifts. Kids really do bring you back to thinking about how the Holidays were for you growing up. I have the fondest memories of Christmases from my childhood- thanks mom and dad for making it special for us every year!

We hope you all had a great holiday too! Pray for Snow!!!

'Tis the Season to be Thankful...

I haven't posted since the beginning of November, so I'm kind of behind. We had a great Thanksgiving at Philips Steak House where we had lots of yummy seafood to eat. The best part was we didn't have to slave away in our kitchens and worry about the clean-up afterwards! That's my idea of a thanksgiving meal! And it was nice to have Jenn and Wade here to celebrate with us!

December has been a fly-by month. It seems like it just started, and I looked at the calendar today to notice that it is already the 16th of the month! I guess I'm a little behind on everything these days. A few years ago, I was bragging that I had all my Christmas shopping done by October. I guess having kids really does change EVERYTHING!

We are very excited to spend Liala's second Christmas at home this year. We spent last Saturday driving to a tree farm where we planned on cutting down our own tree. But when we got there, the walk seemed too bleak; and to tag along a 20 month old just seemed silly. So we bought one off of their front lot, and placed it on the car. I say "we", but I mean Ryan!! When we got it home, it barely fit in the living room!! Who knew the trees were that big. They certainly don't look that big on the lot. So we spent our Sunday afternoon decorating the tree with the help of Liala. If you can call it help.

So now, like some of you, we are doing last minute shopping in preparation for Christmas. I'm even late sending out our Christmas Cards. Ahggggg. Maybe you'll get one next year instead! We hope you all have a great Holiday Season. God Bless.

Trick-or-Treat

These pictures from Halloween are long overdue, but I thought family would like to see how Liala looked in her costume! She didn't give us a hard time when we put it on her like I had anticipated (what a relief!).
We went trick-or-treating to a few houses in the neighborhood, and then we drove to Lily's house so she could show off her costume to them. Then we came home and she ate too much candy and stayed up way too late! What kid doesn't do that on Halloween?! Overall, I think she enjoyed the day. And the best part? Daddy got home from New Jersey just in time to go trick-or-treating!!
We're glad that part of Ryan's job is over. He still has a few weeks of training left, but he doesn't have to travel for it. We missed him while he was gone, and we're glad to have him back!

A Day in the Life of The Bergs!

Our Cox Farm Adventure

On Wednesday, Liala and I went to Cox Farms with our good friends Hannah and Sienna. I think both Liala and Sienna really enjoyed the outing! I would have to say that Liala's favorite part was the big pen full of about 40 baby goats.
Once inside the pen, Liala had absolutely no fears. She would walk right up to the goats and pet them, and hug them! There was one larger goat who was sitting under the slide in the shade and Liala walked right up to him and kept giving him kisses. The goat did not even budge! It was so cute. I'm glad I was able to get a picture of it!
At this farm, there were big slides that the adults enjoy more than the kids, I think. There were free samples of apple cider (the best I've ever tasted!), and at the end, we got to pick out our own pumpkins to take home.
So enjoy the pictures from our day at the farm!
Daddy comes home from New Jersey to see us today! Even though he'll only be here for the weekend, maybe we'll take him to Cox Farms so he can see how much fun it can be!

He'll be coming round the mountain when he comes...

Ryan has been gone for almost three whole days now, and we miss him terribly. We are looking forward to spending time with him this weekend! For his new job, Ryan will be in training for the whole month of October in New Jersey. He is able to come home on the weekends to see us and take a break from "the classroom". From what he has told us, the training is intense; but he is learning a lot! We are happy that Ryan has been blessed with this opportunity! As for the magazine? The first issue has recently gone out, and we're very excited about it! Next issue, I will be doing graphic design and writing a few articles. Wish me luck! I'm not very familiar with graphic design, but hopefully the Mac will make it easy on me!
We hope you are all doing well!

We've started a new tradition....

At the end of September, we drove to Nags Head with Nana and Grandma for a little beach trip. The purpose? Ryan had a crazy idea that we should run in their Heritage Days 5K. So we did! And we are still alive to tell you about it!
It was my first race, so I was kind of nervous about the whole thing. But Ryan, the seasoned runner that he is, was coaching me about what to do and how to do it leading up to the race. I am happy to say that I finished the race, and I placed 3rd in my age group! Next time, I will work on my time, but for now I'm going to brag about the fact that I even finished!
Did I say "next time"? Yes! I had forgotten about how it makes me feel to be "a runner"! I looked around at all the other runners, and they sure gave me (and Ryan, I think!) some motivation to get going again. So be on the lookout for more posts about races!