National Museum of Natural History

Over the holiday break, Alex & dad spent a day at the National Museum of Natural History. Cool stuff.



Dumb Dumb and an Easter Island monument.



Big elephant.



Dead elephant, er mammoth.



Alex admiring some gems.

Alex in the butterfly exhibit.

Yes, there were butterflies in the exhibit.

Brieschs at the Browns

Rob, Beth, and the boys were in the area - so to speak, over Christmas. They decided to take a break from family in NJ and drive down to hang out with the Smiths - so we joined the fray too. Of course, the only pictures we have to show are of the kids, go figure.



The kids playing around in the basement.



Every kid, except Lily, changed places.



Silly faces.



Yep, she is definitely Brown's daughter.

Like a chip off the old block.

Sarah & Lily.

December randoms

An assortment of pictures from December that didn't fit anywhere else - but I just wanted to get on the blog.

School pictures of the girls from Open Arms

A kindergarten production, note Alex is singing her heart out

Emma, Ethan, and Alex go to bed (but not to sleep) one night

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was here and Santa had arrived, just as NORAD's tracker had predicted. The gifts were a-plenty and the coffee was nice and strong. Alex distributed the gifts - which worked out great since most were for her anyway. Plus, Alex enjoyed "helping" Lily open her gifts -- which Lily had no use for of course.



Wanda is awake and good to go.



The gift opening begins.



'Who needs a gift when I can chew on this Christmas letter? That empty box over there is next.'



Mommy and Lily.

Keep drinking Coffee Aunt Nenny.

Mini-Miley.

Group shot by the (empty) tree.

Cote-Nance 4.

Wanda takes Lily's new toy for a spin around the dining room.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was upon us before we knew it. We had to get ready as the Yates Clan would be joining us for dinner. It was full-on holiday craziness - the Cote-Nance 4, Joe's sister, Joe's mom, the Yahtzee 4, and Heather's parents.

Wanda gives the girls get a bath before dinner.

Lily and Alex getting clean.

Gma Nance hangs out with Alex before the guests arrive.

Alex strikes a pose in front of the tree.

Al, Jackie, Ryan, Dave, Justin, & Heather.

Cote-Nances and Yahtzees.



Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house...

...Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

The funeral of Joe's dad at Arlington National Cemetery

On the 23rd of December, family & friends said goodbye to Joe's dad as he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. It was a cold, crisp, and clear winter day. LTC Donald R. Nance, USA (ret.) was buried with full honors. The ceremony was solemn and impressive. The 50+ Army soldiers executed the ceremony with incredible professionalism - a befitting send off to a Vietnam Veteran that served his country with honor and distinction. The Nance family thanks all those that came to offer their support.



The formation lines up.



The ashes will be placed in the caisson for movement to the grave site.



Family & friends line up behind the caisson.



A great shot of part of the escort troops with DC monuments in the background.



The folded flag at the end of the sermon.

Joe's sister (Jen) receives the flag.

Additional words of encouragement.

The final resting place.

Meier Christmas Party

John & Michelle threw a little shindig and many a T-Bird joined the fray. We dragged Joe's sister and mom to the party since they were in town visiting. Unfortunately, the Cote-Nance clan departed before the sangria binge drinking began.



Val really wants another one of these baby things.



Joe's sister (Jen) and mom.



Chas terrorizes the kids (since they are the only ones he can pick on).

Sara plays some soothing holiday tunes.

Mathew helps Val feed Lily her mush.

The party hosts.

Cote and Lily play on the couch.

Cote-Nance family picture.

T-Bird group shot on the stairs.