Ivy, VA

Today is my 15th Wedding Anniversary!

Time just flies by when you are in love.... It seems like yesterday when we had our first date... Now we have two wonderful children and live in a fantastic place, Charlottesville Virginia.

The card my wife gave me today says it all and I want to share it:

"There is only one thing better than being
young and in love"

"Being our age and STILL being in love!"

It was 9 years ago that I moved to Charlottesville. Little did I know how much it would change things for my family and myself. Everyday I feel blessed to live in such a beautiful area of the country.

The photo above (I took 2 days ago) is the view from my front yard looking down the road. With the seasons it is every changing!

Charlottesville Real Estate is the same. It is ever changing. Every home I see with clients I try to envision the 4 seasons. It takes some time to be able to do this but the rewards are endless!

I hope you enjoyed this photo as much as I did taking it!

Every year my wife works on a fun project with the kids at our local school. She creates little gingerbread houses for them to decorate...

What she does is start with a milk carton and "hot glue" graham crackers to the sides.

Then she adds a ice cream cone (upside down) for a Christmas Tree....

We put these on a paper place that has foil over it and that's it!

Next we take them to our local school in Charlottesville and the whole class gets to decorate with candy, icing and anything else we can gather....

(this one got a little sloppy after the bus ride home!!!)

What fun!!!

Well it did take a little longer than normal but this is not a "normal" market.

We brought this fine home in Ivy to the market just last month and we are under contract!

This home is in the Meriwether Lewis School District and is on 2 private acres. We are sorry but this one is gone. If you want to see more homes in this area check out Charlottesville Real Estate

and you may want to ask about my Hot List!

About The Author

Charles McDonald, Associate Broker at RE/MAX Assured Properties and dedicated Buyers Agent is the author of this blog, and several other sites on the Internet. Charles and his team of experts in the Charlottesville area are always available to help you with your Real Estate needs. Call our team anytime at 434-981-1585 or to search for homes visit: Charlottesville Real Estate

Copyright © 2008 Charles McDonald, All Rights Reserved.

When it comes to decorating outside for Christmas, my wife and I have come to the conclusion that "Simple is Best".

We used to decorate way over the top but now we do simple displays such as the 2 deer on the side of our driveway:

A simple Red Ribbon on each deer and that is all! Of course the one grazing is animated...

We also have a few strategically placed wreaths on the outside of our home with spotlights to accent them at night!

The one pictures here is about 3 feet in diameter.

Oh and for another idea we put a smaller wreath on the mailbox.

Next is the front door. We have 2 topiaries wit lights and of course another wreath on the front door with a red ribbon....

This is very welcoming for visitors!

Here is a shot of the front of our home all lite up for Christmas:

Notice the CHRISTMAS TREE in the Window on the Right.

Not way over the top, we think that "Simple is Best!"

MERRY CHRISTMAS from the McDONALD's!!!

(we would love to see photos of your decorations!)