On Friday, March 12th, Scott, Will and I drove up to Northern VA to see Matty and Nate(along with Aunt Beth) in a production of Cinderella. It was done by Franklin Park Arts and it was a wonderful performance. Nate and Matty were "royal children" and Matty just absolutely beamed the whole time he was on the stage. Nate was a little more reserved, but he seemed to be enjoying himself as well! What an amazing performance by a group of very amazing performers!

Then on Saturday, we joined Matty at his Special Olympics sports time. He was a bit tired(as you will see in the pictures) and that was because someone kept him up really late, and then someone else woke him up really early!

Warming up with stretches and fun songs! Even Nate and Will got in on the action. I think Will like the singing just about more than anything!

Just like Matty, Will and Nate were able to join in on the soccer, basketball, andTball. When they had worn out all their options, they created their own game of "Hot Potato". When, things were winding down, I looked around to find them in a circle with 4 or 5 other participants, and they were teaching them all to play "Hot Potato".

After snack, I helped Matty with the cool down! Brian thought I was kidding when I told him I needed help to get up!
So Matty was too tired to particiapte in the activities, oh well, Aunt Susan got some really great snuggle time with sweet Matty - something that Uncle Scott usually gets instead of me! It was a short, but fun weekend visit and we truly enjoyed spending time with my niece Michelle's family - even though Michelle wasn't there!

February Fun

Early in the year, one of our favorite celebrations is the Chinese New Year. We try to provide Will with as much knowledge about his birth culture as we can, so for us, the celebrated Asian Holidays are also important! Chinese New Year is celebrated according to the Lunar Calendar so it is on a different date each year, usually sometime between Jan. 2oth and Feb. 20th. This year, it just happened to fall on our Valentine's Day, February 14th. This year, we celebrated with our friends from the Valley Adopt Group, at JMU. The JMU Asian Student Union has "adopted" the Valley Adopt Group and loves putting this celebration together each year for the children and their families. This year, for us, a special highlight was getting to meet the newest addition to the Dillard Family - Haiden. She had only been here about 6 weeks, but had no trouble getting to know everyone! She is a beautiful little girl and definitely a miracle and we are delighted to be able to share in her and her family's life journey!

Several of the young men from the ASU always perform a wonderful Dragon Dance, very traditional for the Chinese New Year. It is quit amazing to watch, especially since the Dragon's eyes and ears actually move! When the front guy goes up on the shoulders of the guy in back, and the both remain in costume, you really appreciate the abilities that this dance requires!

Welcome to the newest addition of the Dillard family - Haiden. Grandma Wine got the honor of holding her first!!! Haiden had a front row seat for the Dragon Dance, but didn't like it too much. Grandma Jean's arms seemed alot better of an option!

Proud Daddy - Scott Dillard

The kids also enjoy different crafts and of course face painting. This year I think Will's lasted about 5 minutes. He looks like he is in pain during the process, but holding still was what was causing the pain, because he thought they were starting something without him!

The finale event of the celebration each year, is the Lion Dance. The kids all line up under "the body" and then the Lion head leds them around the room to music. This year, the head and the body became separated after only about three steps, but patchwork quickly put them back together and the Lion provided a spectular parade! Will is in the read shirt and jeans, under the body!

Finally, before the evening ended, I was able to get Will to sit still long enough to pose with his favorite girl - now girls - Leigha and Haiden!!! It was a wonderful celebration!

Fun in the Snow

The snow stopped falling late Saturday evening and Sunday dawned in full splendor with bright sunshine! The beautiful white blanket covering our yard and fields glimmed and sparkled as though thousands of diamonds had been sprinkled down upon it. Finally we were able to get out and enjoy the sunshine, snow and just some old-fashioned fun!

Snow fall on the Farm - the beautiful views!


My Handsome "Snow Buddies"

Once you go down, you gotta walk back up!

Every trip down the hill, Will would find a hugh snowball(result of the plowing) and carry it back up the hill with him. One time I asked "Will, whatcha got?" He answered "A Potato!" Do you think he was silently thinking "Mom, hereeee's yer sign!"

Thrill seekers, that's us!!

I made it to the top of the PILE!

After struggling with the new(and improved) plastic sleds and getting nowhere, we finally pulled out the 40 year old wooden sled with runners. Found the wax, slicked up those runners and we were flying down the hill after that. In the end - the antique was the best ride!

Another Snow

How is it, that I have had time today to create the lengthy(sorry about that) update covering almost a year? Well we are again experiencing a blizzard! It has been snowing since about 5:30 this morning and it is currently 9:30 at night. Right now, it is a mixture of snow and sleet and I am just a bit worried about a power outage. Lights I can do without, but I have got to flush!!!! Sorry, probably more info than you needed!

Today has been beautiful, with all the snow falling. I enjoyed doing a little cooking and bird watching. We have a bird feeder just beyond our back patio and today, it has been a busy spot. The cardinals have been the most abundant, however, the little sparrows have been busy and a red headed wood pecker has visited a few times as well. I was finally able to capture a few of the visitors. Hope you enjoy the photos and I will post more when the snow/sleet finishes falling. For now, I am off to fill the bathtubs - just in case!

Feeder Feathered Friends

Catching Up is hard to do!

Wow, it is hard to believe that it has been almost a year since the last time I updated our blog. Where has that year gone? When I look back at the pictures, think of the events, I am overwhelemed that SO much has happened in just ten short months! While I can't even begin cover all the activities/happenings in our lives, I can share those that have brought us to where we are right now.

Since March 2009, we have celebrated birthdays: Will turned 5, Emma turned 1, Matty turned 3, Amanda turned 13, and Ashley turned (gulp)16, Nate turned 5, and Anna Grace turned 3.

Will celebrates turning 5

Emma Lane turns 1!

April and May found Scott and Amanda busy in the garage with soap box derby cars. This year we were able to help two other drivers enjoy the excitement of Race Day. The racing team "Wine Farms Racing" was born. A group of three dads and three daughters worked hard to get their cars ready for inspection day!

Three cars on their way to Inspection Day!

Two weeks later came Race Day. Just two days prior to Race Day, we celebrated Will's graduation from Kindergarten. It was wonderful, yet a bit sad. It was a moment of celebration as we were reminded of Will's accomplishments in Preschool, and it was sad as we said good bye to a terrific preschool teacher and the staff at Mainstreet UMC Preschool that we had grown to love.

Will and Mrs Tracey say goodbye

A Wonderful Preschool Graduation!

Race Day came with sadness and overwhelming disbelieve, as just 24 hours before, we suddenly and unexpectedly lost Scott's Dad. Shock and sadness were overwhelming as we were without the quiet, gentle yet powerful patriach of our family! Scott and Amanda bravely made the decision to participate in the Race, because in their words "Granddaddy would want us to". All racers had a wonderful day and again this year Amanda placed in the elite eight for her division.

Charlotte prepares for her first run down the hill.

Again this year, Scott gets a run down the hill!

The days, weeks, and months, since the loss of Scott's Dad, have been difficult, especially for Scott as he dealt with the loss of a parent as well as the leader of the family business. In our difficulties, we gain strength from God and he has carried us through. Just a few short weeks after Granddaddy's funeral, Scott and I again faced a difficult decision, as we had to euthanize my beloved cat, Murphy. Murphy had Diabetes for over two years and tolerated two shots a day without complaint, but suddenly he developed some unrelated problems and within days we discovered cancer. We said good bye to a seventeen year old friend who was much like Granddaddy, quiet, gentle yet filled with strength! On Father's Day this year, our family planted a tree in the yard in memory of Granddaddy.

Sooner then we could ever imagine, the summer was over and ALL the kids were gearing up for school . Amanda is now in her last year of Middle School and Ashley is a Junior. Will started Kindergarten this Fall(and mommy has still not adjusted to this).

Bad Hair day - and 1st day of School!

So this is "MY" desk, I'm not impressed

It hardly seemed like school had started, before we celebrated Thanksgiving and then Christmas. Both Holidays were bittersweet, but we enjoyed many happy moments with our families. We continue to feel so blessed to have great family nearby and are even more aware of how preciously short our time is with them. It makes the moments we spend together even more special.

Just prior to Christmas, Virginia received a blizzard snow storm that left us with 30 inches of snow. I love snow, but it isn't quite as much fun as an adult as it was during childhood, but it is still for me the act of nature that most closely demonstrates all aspects of our Heavenly Father - power, quiet grace and beauty!

Front Porch View



A path for the Dog!

My Polar Express and Drum Set!

This is alot harder than it looks!

Church Christmas Play

As 2010, already seems to be rushing by, we look forward to the many activities, events, accomplishments and happenings that are family will experience and I hope to bring them to you in a more timely manner! Blessings to all of our friends and family.