Birthday

I had a great birthday and loved celebrating with these great kids. After they all took me out for breakfast, Grace and Lucy and I enjoyed getting a pedicure together. They took care of me all day long. I also loved talking to family and friends.

A Few Adventures

We spent one day during our Christmas break exploring downtown. We took the metro and then walked and walked and walked. We were all exhausted by the time we got home. We started at the Botanical Gardens and then we went to the American History Museum and the kids liked seeing Abraham Lincoln's top hat. We also walked over to the the National Christmas Tree and the White House.


The Botanical Graden had a train display and these buildings made out of leaves and acorns. We liked the capitol building the best.


Bowling on Christmas Eve.

We suggested many activities to the kids, but all they wanted to do was stay home. Noah informed us that holidays were not for going and doing things. Holidays were meant for us to stay home. So we played a lot of games, lots of Wii, lots of legos, and just enjoyed being together.

Christmas

We had a very relaxing Christmas break.



Noah built this intense lego set in just a few hours.



Grace took up sewing.

The kids loved their snuggies from Grandma Ogden

There's a snake in my boot!

The result of unbridled avarice.

Day 150

Maybe I should buy some tall barstools? But that might stifle Lucy's creativity, so I don't think I will.

Day 149

Tonight we went to a concert at the DC Temple Visitors Center. It was Jenny Oaks Baker playing Christmas songs and it was amazing. We loved it!

Jake pointing to a star that was projected on the wall behind the stage.

While we were waiting for the concert to start, Jake was a very busy 2 year old. He did pretty good once the music started.

After the concert we made our way outside. The kids enjoyed "slipping" on this patch of ice.

Day 148

Today Aaron took his last final. He has been studying and working so hard and we have not seen him for a few weeks. It is good to have him back.
To celebrate the beginning of his winter break, we went downtown to see the Christmas tree and train at Union Station. I forgot my camera, but found this picture online.

Day 147

Today for cookie Friday, Jake and Lucy helped me make a classic Christmas cookie, Peanut Butter Temptations! My kids love helping me make these because they get to unwrap all of the Reeses pb cups and sneak a few while doing it.

I was going to take a picture of the final product, but they disappeared too fast. Happy Cookie Friday!

Day 146

Today we had our first snow of the season! It started in the morning and lasted about4 hours. The funny thing is, they cancelled afternoon kindergarten, ended school 2 hours early, and announced a 2 hour delay tomorrow morning. I think the total amount of snow was 2 inches. I am not really sure why everyone was panicking. The great part was I went to the post office expecting long lines, but there was no one there because of the snow! I guess living in Nebraska for 4 winters has taught us not to be afraid of a little snow.

Days 132 - 145

We have been really busy the last few weeks with some really fun events!

Grace has spent the last 3 months training for a 5K. She is part of a running team called "Girls on the Run" and she has really enjoyed it. So on a saturday morning in December, in 30 degree weather, she and I ran her 5K. Grace did an excellent job and I loved running with her.

Brenna put this poster together and left it on our car as a surprise before we left for the run. Grace loved it and appreciated the support!

We got our Christmas tree.

Grace, Lucy and I had a great girls night out! We took the metro downtown and ate at a great salad place called "Chop't" We loved it. The we headed over to the Warner theatre to watch the Nutcracker!

It was so fun to spend an evening with my girls.

And for the past few weeks we have been potty training. So there has been m&m's at all hours of the day as an incentive for Jake. It is working and he is doing great!

Day 131

Today the house seems empty.

Day 130

We had to say goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa this morning. We loved having them and were sad to see them go.

But we still have Aunt Amy for one more day!

Amy and I were able to spend the day together and it was so relaxing. We went to Mt. Vernon and just spent the day talking and being together. I loved it.

Amy brought her beads and so the girls and I have been making bracelets!

Day 129

We started the day with Arlington Cemetary. It was cold anda little rainy but well worth the trip. After that we went to the Capitol building for a quick tour. The girls stayed downtown and enjoyed lunch on capitol hill. After a little difficulty with parking, we were able to spend some time at the American History Museum and then back home to prepare for the BSU game!

Day 128

Grace getting cooking lessons from Grandpa.

I loved having my parents in the kitchen with me on Thanksgiving.

Lots of game playing.


Lots of family around the table.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Day 127

Amy has arrived! We were so excited to have another guest join our party.

We spent the first half of the day grocery shopping and making pies. Then we headed downtown for a quick tour of the memorials and the Washington Monument. We had tickets to go to the top of the monument and the view was spectacular.

The Washington DC temple.

The White House.

We were all very cold by the end. We headed back home for warm soup and pie!

Grandma and Grace stayed home and had lessons in pie making.

Day 126

Today I spent the day shopping with my Mom. It was so fun. We did some Christmas shopping and had lunch and I enjoyed every minute.

Then we had dinner with Jeff and his family. After everyone was in bed, my mom and I had some more time together while we waited for Amy's plane to arrive at midnight!

Day 125

Today we went to the National Building Museum. They have a Lego display that we have been wanting to see. The kids were able to build their own lego buildings and then add them to the city. They had a great time.



After we were done building with legos, we went to Georgetown Cupcake. Yummy!

Day 124

Poor Grace. She woke up this morning feeling terrible. After a long morning at the Dr. to find out she has strep throat, she spent the rest of the day quarantined in my room. Even though she felt awful, and did not get to spend any time with our visitors, she remained sweet and pleasant the entire time.

Day 123

Grandma and Grandpa Bird arrived today! The kids made these signs to welcome Grandma and Grandpa at the airport. The much anticipated Thanksgiving week party has arrived!