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.

"My Book About Me"

Today was the last program of the year for Will's Preschool(pictures to come later). After the program - the kids did a FANTASTIC job - we went to Will's classroom to collect him and his papers for the week. As Will was gathering his papers and saying his good-byes, his teacher looked at me and said "he had some really interesting answers for his book" Hmmmm, I thought, I wonder what that means!
As Scott and I looked through his book, we couldn't help but smile and than laugh. I think his "book" tells about a pretty AWESOME little boy(of course I am not biased at all!). Book Review:
William Kirby Bing Wine, age 4.
The best thing about me: love my family
The type of animal I would like to be: Lion
My favorite flavor of ice cream: Strawberry
If I could go anywhere in the world, I would go to: the beach
(and Mommy's favorite question/answer of all) When I grow up, I want to be a: husband!

There you have it, all the important facts about Will you never knew! Preschool is great, and almost 5 is a wonderful age! It is hard to believe that Will will be 5 in just three weeks! I can just begin to see high school peaking up over the horizon!!! Lord, please don't ever let me forget to enjoy ever single moment of everyday of his life, for it is flying by way too quickly!

"My Adventures with Jack"

Soon after returning to preschool in January, Will's class was told that they would each be taking a turn bringing home the class bunny! Now this class bunny is the perfect pet, because you see, he is stuffed! Along with Jack comes a book in which each child is to record the adventures they have with Jack.

Will has been very patient in waiting for his turn to bring Jack home, until the last two weeks. Last week, he sadly announced "I'm going to be last to bring Jack home, Mommy". Well, he was right, but his turn did finally come this weekend. We have had Jack the bunny as a house guest all weekend and we have tried our best to provide him with a few adventures along the way! He was read to, fed, cuddled, introduced to the cats, helped feed the cows, taken to church and taught the game of Duck Duck Goose. Not bad for a little bunny I'd say. Sadly Jack returns to preschool tomorrow! Thankfully all in one piece and still stuffed!!!

THE Day has finally arrived!

Yes, Tuesday was an exciting day for Ashley - she passed her learner's driving test and in the eyes of the state of VA is qualified to be behind the wheel of a vehicle - at least with a licensed driver by her side! When she was home on Thursday, she asked if she could drive me to work, and after some serious prayer, I said yes. After all, it was only her third time driving! I bravely strapped Will and myself into the seat belts and tried to convince myself that it wasn't going to be too bad!!!

I am sure, that if I had looked in the mirror, I would have seen my mother's face staring back at me!!! I remember the first times of driving with her and thinking that surely she was going to explode! Just seeing how nervous she was made me even more nervous and of course, I was not allowed to go over 35 miles per hour. So, despite my nervousness, I TRIED (I really did) to put on a relaxed face(I think I even managed to smile a few times!).

Ashley did pretty well, we made it safely and I have to say she remained calm in spite of my nervousness and Will's constant backseat driver instructions!!! I mean, he never stopped telling her what to do, and when and how to do it! I think she was just too excited about driving to let anything bother her(see the smiles below!).

Now comes the Future Chef!

As I said, Will has many diverse interests. One that has been growing for the past couple of years is cooking. He loves to help me bake cookies and cakes (mostly so he can lick the bowl and the spoon!) but more recently he has begun to take a real interest in helping to cook whatever is on the menu. We both watch the Food Network alot and any time he hears someone say "New York City", he always says "that's where Bobby Flay lives, mommmy".

Today was a chilly day and I have not been feeling well, so I thought I would try to make a pot of vegetable soup. Well, my little assistant chef insisted on making his own pot of soup(although he will never even try my vegetable soup). He cut up a carrot, some celery and used the potato skins to complete his veggie soup. Then he used just about every spice in the cabinet to add flavor to his pot of soup. After creating and stirring for quite a while, he decided it was time to taste. I warned him that since he didn't like veggie soup, he might not want to try it, but he assured me it was "just pretend". I believed him until I heard him announce "ooohhh, that's nasty!" Lesson for today- good cooks, NEVER admit their food is "nasty" and NEVER make something they themselves won't eat!!

Introducing the Next Food Network Star!

Future Hiker? Future Chef?

Will is becoming more and more a diversified little boy. While he likes rough housing and romping, he also has a very strong interest in singing, dancing, and cooking. While these talents have been emerging over the last year, imagine my surprise one day about a month ago, when Will announced that he wanted to go "hiking in the mountains". Well, the mountains for me are a challenge as my fear of heights prevents me from venturing too far up windy mountain roads, but as a mother, I want my child to experience all that he has an interest in. So, being the quick thinker that I am, I suggested his cousin Rob Anderson, who is an avid hiker and who also happens to be a good buddy of Will's. Well, every day or two, when we would pass a mountain area Will would point in that direction and ask "Mommy, Can Rob take me hiking in those mountains!"

Finally the day came this weekend when Rob took his buddy Will hiking!!! Rob chose a very "small hike" for Will's first adventure into the wilderness, but to Will it was a mile high mountain. For those of you familiar with this area, the group of rugged outdoorsmen, hiked up to Big Levels, near Stuarts Draft. Scott, Dave Anderson and Mark Anderson joined the hiking duo to complete the group. Rob's dog Mia also went along! Will truly seemed to enjoy the hike and the outdoors and when I asked him if he would like to go again he said "No mommy, Rob can take me to a different mountain next time!" A new hiker has been created!

Rob and Will along the trail

Rob with Mia

Rob, Mia and Will, hiking buddies!

The View from the top!