DOVE FAMILY

December 9th- the Redskins played against the Ravens at FedEx field.  Yes, I know I grew up in Dundalk (Baltimore County) so I do have Baltimore in my blood.  But I also married a Redskins fan.  A serious fan.  This is the fan that wears redskins gear, drinks out of a Redskins cup and has a Redskins pillow pet.  He is a serious fan. My family are Ravens fans all the way-- so it was fun to have a battle of the beltway and battle of the family when the Ravens played against the Redskins!

Before the game!

Watch out-- they are getting rough in here!

They made Matthew put on the Ravens jersey when the Ravens scored a touchdown!  Can you see that he still has his Redskins shirt underneath?!

Sisters!  Love this picture and LOVE HER!

Everyone in the area has been talking about the tree lighting ceremony.  Since we are still pretty new here, we weren't sure how involved the tree lighting ceremony was.  Was it as big as the White House National Tree Lighting or maybe even Rockefeller Center?  Not really but all who lived in Severna Park, their friends and family came out on a beautiful night.  Although its not the bustling downtown scene of DC, Baltimore or Annapolis they do have their annual 4th of July Parade, Santa runs in the firetruck and of course the annual Christmas Tree lighting and Santa sleigh rides!

Last weekend we attended the Christmas Tree Lighting and it was such a fun treat.  The local Chamber of Commerce provided cookies, cider and apple juice to the residents, the local schools sang songs and even had a dance company provide some yuletide entertainment.  The streets were filled with families, friends and neighbors, police were out in full force helping direct traffic and the sounds of the holidays were all around.  Once the tree lighting was finished the crowd moved their way to a local shopping center to stand in line the a carriage ride with Santa & Mrs. Claus.  It was a great evening and something that was such a small treat really had a great effect to bring out the neighbors, family and friends to share the holiday cheer.

Severna Park Tree Lighting

Bagpipe performance at the Tree Lighting Ceremony

A local dance company of girls ages 3-18 came out and gave us a little jingle and jangle!

December 8th was the anniversary of dad's passing.  It has been a very busy last few weeks for all of us with the holiday season, work and of course life in general.  This past weekend and even this week has been a bit tough for me.  Since many of our things are still in boxes in the basement or garage, I have been fumbling through my pictures to find more of my dad.  Dad passed away in 2006 and I didn't have a digital camera back in the early years where I could save the pictures on a USB.  I want to preserve the pictures I have of him and have been in search of them.  I want to create an album that of him that I can share with the kids.

I miss him so much.  It's not just difficult for me now because its the time of year of Christmas.  I just miss talking to him.  Sometimes I talk to him at night, when I am driving and when I am church.  I get frustrated that I don't have the answers that I know my dad would have.  He just had this wisdom about everything.

It gets harder for me each year.
I am getting older, have lots of questions, decisions need to be made about the future and my family.
I miss hearing him sing
I miss hearing him tell me all the facts that may not sound like facts but sound pretty believable
I miss holding his hand

I also get angry that he isn't here to see his beautiful 6 grandchildren.  I know he is protecting them from above.  I know I shouldn't be angry that he isn't here with us.  I am just sad.....