Kennedy Center

Mimi and Grandpa treated us to a night at the Kennedy Center to see Mermaid Theater of Nova Scotia's production of 'Runaway Bunny and Goodnight Moon'. We were all excited to see the puppet show. Here are the kids ready to go. (Even baby Mia had a new dress. She now has more coordinated outfits than I do!!!) Poor Julia, she's still wondering why she was woken up from a deep sleep napping upstairs. Don't you hate waking your kids up. it seems so counterintuitive, but sometimes you just have to.....
They were both giddy and excited by the time we got off the metro and boarded the shuttle. It's such an inspiring place to be- so grandiose. Just the sheer size leaves you awestruck......
The kids were having fun exploring the many lobbies. This picture about sums it up- joy and awe......
While we waited for our seating to begin we too the kids out on the rooftop terrace to take in the spectacular views of Georgetown, the Pentagon, and the planes leaving Reagan airport.
In our seats ready for the show.....
We weren't allowed to take pictures until after the performance. It was amazing for both adults and kids alike. The talented puppeteers and their amazing sets made the pages of two beloved stories come alive right before our eyes. Here are the star bunnies from each book.......
This is the set from 'Goodnight Moon'. If you ever get the chance to see this show or any by this theater, by all means go! And we learned it is 'the year of the puppet', so grab your socks, jump behind your coach, and put on a show of your own :)
On the way home we stopped at Pentagon Row for some yummy dinner, to watch the ice skaters, and to have ice cream- mmm!

It was still warm when we got off the metro and everyone was inspired to race home. And their off!
It was a night we will all never forget.

From PA to DC

After a fun-filled week in PA, we headed to Mimi and Grandpa's for the rest of our vacation. This has become one of our favorite places to visit. They have the privilege of living in Barracks Row in the city. Their house is the second one in the picture.There is so much to see and do. The Metro station is two blocks up the street which makes it very easy to get around. Is so nice to be able to go visit one of the museums for an hour or two and come back for naps. And all the sights are free, amazing!
We've fallen in love with city life- all the excitement, museums, cultural events, walking to stores, the people. Though I must say as soon as it gets really cold or rains my tune changes. It's no fun carting around kids in those conditions and I admire the city folk who do it. I always wondered why they gave you rain covers with strollers- this is why. I love all the views, too. here's one from the upstairs window.......
The weekend we arrived the weather was summer-like, in the 70s. It felt so good to be outside. Julia took advantage of the swing in the commandant's yard, while Mommy actually went running. It's been a LONG time....

Poor Julia, her big gift for Christmas was the Rose Petal Cottage, but we wouldn't let her open it because we were leaving so soon. Daddy put it together when we got to DC and she LOVES IT!

Mimi said: "I love your new playhouse Julia, what's your new address?"

Julia answered: "I don't have a dress. I'm naked!!"

Here's Julia making breakfast for baby Mia, while Anderson helps himself....I always have to laugh. In the rose garden outside their house is a missile. That's what you get with the military. Some families call themselves tree-huggers and we hug.....oh well. We definitely love our armed forces :)We've been helping the kids learn about all the monuments in DC. We were driving to dinner one night on 395 and they're all illuminated. We told carter we'd pass the Capitol next to look out the window. He yelled, "I see it, but I can only see the lid!"

Christmas Day

The kids were very excited for Christmas morning, though we don't think any of them really knew what to expect. They got up around 8 and were surprised by all the gifts under the tree. Carter got some new fighter jets and Marines to play with. He also got a magnifying glass, just like Sid the Science Kid- one of his favs. He had to take a closer look....What's a holiday without new shoes?
Time for a sugar break.....
Grandpa and Carter got new tools for Christmas. I think Grandpa might have more success if he starts with the Handy Manny set. With retirement looming around the corner, he's going to be broaden his home improvement repertoire from the 'hammer category'. Don't worry, Carter can walk him through it.
Playing Elefun, such a fun game....Julia and Mommy modeling new jewelry....Anderson's favorite gift was his new wagon, just like he has at school. he and Julia capitalized on the cupholder feature and were requesting breakfast in the wagon....
Carter trying out his new paint set...After lunch, we had some family over then hosted dinner with the Deily family. After dinner we headed to Brett and Erika's for Christmas with the Kramlich's and Schray's. The cousins had a lot of fun running around together in the playroom downstairs. We only see them a few times a year, but it's neat to see their relationships grow. The same way my sister and I played with our second cousins, our children can now so with their children. The bonds of family run deep.

Carter announced he had had a great day and this picture about sums it up. They were worn out. (He lined up all his new toys around his bed.)
We are so thankful to all be together this year. And for good health, family, friends, jobs, freedom, and the joy to celebrate Christ's birthday with the people we love. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!!

Christmas Eve

The kids are having a great time in PA. I'm so happy they get to spend this time with their great-grandparents. It's tough being so far away.

Julia had a wonderful time baking with Mammy at night. She caught on fast and was a cheerful little helper. Mammy loved having the time to listen to her talk- which she does a lot of :) It didn't take long before she realized that this stuff tastes good, too!
She had pappy dressing baby Mia, too. Who knew he could put on a doll's snowsuit?! He happily dressed her many times.
We had to learn to bundle up every time we went outside.....
The kids were excited to see Aunt Melba, too. She 82 and is their great-great-great-aunt. The kids have developed a special relationship with her because she sends them a letter every single week. The amazing part is she's legally blind from macular degeneration, yet she still finds a way to hand write them letters! They think all mail comes from Aunt Melba. In our house that's almost the truth! We feel very fortunate to be able to come visit her. Here's Julia playing with the stroller that was hers as a child......
We love you Aunt Melba!
Anderson liked playing with Mammy's cane. We called him 'our little shepherd boy' with his lovey on his head.....
Having fun decorating the tree....
Anderson wanted to just throw the balls at the tree...and sometimes they stayed.
Getting a boost from Grandpa....
It has become a tradition for the kids to put up the train every year when we finish the tree. Anderson was so excited when we turned it on, he crawled around and around the tree following it :)
Mimi baking with her little elves.....
Cousin James is such a ham! His expressions make everyone laugh....
Julia reading the Bible to baby Mia during the Christmas Eve Candlelight service......
Carter's favorite part is lighting the candles at the end when we sing Silent Night.
One of the perks of being at such a small church, Uncle Dan lets them play the piano afterward.
We've had a wonderful Advent season. The kids have been so excited about celebrating Jesus' birthday. We pray everyone's Christmas was filled with family, friends, and a reconnection to their relationship with Jesus- the reason for this glorious season.

Crayola Factory

Easton is the home of Crayola and is only fifteen minutes from my grandparents. All their crayons are manufactured in a factory here. About ten years ago they created the Crayola Factory- a hands on museum for kids about all things crayola. With the frigid temperatures we decide indoor activities were probably a good idea, so we were off for a day of family fun. The kids were so excited to be going.
As soon as you arrive, the kids receive a bag for all their goodies and four tokens they can use to choose crayola items from assorted machines (and they were already excited). The first part showed crayons through the years and the kids used their first tokens on crayons and markers.

While we waited for the crayon tour the kids had fun at the color wonder station. They had their choice of dozens of pictures and games.
Then we moved into the theater where we watched our guide make a batch of crayons right in front of us. He was great with the kids and made them feel a part of it all. Then he made markers at another machine and the kids received some 'hot off the presses'- so cool!

Then we moved into the creativity floor. I must say I was as excited as they were :) They both wanted to paint first and did a great job with the block printing. They even have huge dryer machines they can put their artwork through so it's ready to go.
Carter liked the puppet-making station and made a cool tiger puppet.
They both loved the ball machine. When you drop the balls into the start they wind through a huge maze up to the ceiling over their heads, in and out, up and down, and finally they come down the rainbow wall.......
They even had walls you could draw on :)
At the end there was a painting station. They melted crayons into 'paint' and had long paint sticks for the kids to use. Each color was it's own station in a large hollowed-out crayon. As it dried it hardened again. All of us loved this activity.
At the last stop the kids could use their tokens to get a package of model magic. They had tables with all the tools you could imagine. Daddy and Julia made a cool necklace.

On the top floor of the building is the Easton Canal museum. This was like icing on the cake. They started out with a hands on exhibit where they were charged with getting their boat and cargo from one side of the room to the other using the locks and canals. They both jumped right in and figured it out. We liked it so much we did it twice. Then we went through the rest of the exhibits explaining what life was like on the canals and learning about the boats, families, and mules.
It was a day we will all remember :)