Merry Christmas!

I hope your day was as magical as ours. 

Kate got her big pony

a good reaction

first stilettos

Pillow Pets from NaNa

Three years ago I made a music video with my family LATE christmas night, HERE.  Ever since then we've talked about doing it again.  We finally did it again and had a blast.  Since my sister already has it on facebook, I'll post it here. Merry Christmas. 

Santa Party

2010 Christmas Tree

Looking for the right tree.

The tree is down. 

Waiting back at the truck

The children were very helpful getting the tree into the truck. Kate was especially helpful. 

Success. 

It was a beautiful, special day I hope I don't ever forget. 

Skating with Santa 2010

 We only go ice skating once a year when we go to my moms work Christmas party. It's become a favorite tradition. 

The kids always need a lot of help in the beginning.  

Grayson and Lydia took a lot of falls.  But, they kept getting up and trying again. I love how Grayson is concentrating so hard his tongue is out. 

Taking a break for donuts and hot chocolate. 

By the end of the night they were pro's.

We tried to keep Clair off the ice, but eventually she won.  She liked to be dragged between my legs, with her feet on the ice. 

Kate enjoyed many superman rides with uncle BoBo. 

We always leave wondering why we don't do it more often. 

Washington DC

Last week we enjoyed a fabulous trip with Jared Family to Washington DC.  I was worried that the kids were a little young.  But everyone loved it.  We are grateful for the opportunity we had to spend some quality time with Jared's Sister and kids. We only get to see them a couple times a year. 

We stayed on Pennsylvania Avenue, just a couple blocks from the White House. We did a tour of the White House, but we weren't allowed to bring cameras or purses or anything, so we don't have pictures.  

The weather was PERFECT while we were there. 

This was the first time any of our kids rode on an underground train.  It was a bit crazy getting all the kids through, but we survived and the kids loved it. 

Museum of Natural History: 

Air and Space Museum:

Grayson kept asking about when he could see the Wright Brothers exhibit. 

I never tire of seeing the Washington Memorial.  

Mount Vernon

One of my favorite places to visit in the DC Area is Mt. Vernon, the home of George Washington.  It has such a special feeling and the grounds are a mazing. 

We were so lucky to visit before the leaves fell. I don't think I'll ever forget how beautiful the day was. 

After our tour of the property the kids had a fun conversation with Martha Washington. 

James Town

Since we were in the area, we also visited the Jamestown settlement in Virginia.

It was fun to see how natives in the area lived.They had lots of interactive demonstrations to teach us their way of living.

Using bones to make tools.

The kids loved the feather and cob game.

We also got to explore replicas of the ships the settlers came over in. 

Everyones favorite activity was dressing in the settlers garb. 

If only Kate was as happy at our church as she was in the settlements chapel.