Babies!

No, we are not having a baby. My older sister, Heather, and my sister-in-law, Necia, just had babies! Aren't they precious! We wish we could be there to see them, good thing our Hawaii trip is right around the corner! Congrats Heather and Necia!

Sadie Mae was born Dec. 14 to Heather and Bryan, and family

and Jillian Lois was born Dec 21 to Kyle and Necia, and family

Christmas

We've had a great Christmas. We went Tuesday to the mall so the kids could see Santa. Lexi told him she wanted a singing barbie and Jace told him he wanted a squishy booey hand - you know, those rubbery hands that you can throw and the hand sticks on the wall...you get them in quarter machines...we don't know where the name squishy booey hand came from.

Gretta, Lexi, Abby, Russell, Jace, Zach

Christmas eve we went to have dinner with our law school hommies, Allen's and Bohn's. It was a good night and great food! We headed home late enough that the kids fell asleep on the way home. Lexi is easy to wake...Jace, not a chance. He missed his Christmas eve jammies.

But he got them Christmas morning. Lightening McQueen and Tinkerbell jammies

New clothes from grandma and grandpa Bair

a new baby doll from Germ and Germp

The Poser

We finished Christmas night off with a fire and nativity and other Christmas stories and some Christmas carols. It was a wonderful day. Thank goodness we have skype so we could talk and see most of our family members. We are blessed to be able to celebrate this special day, the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ and remember and think of all he has done and the role He plays in our lives. I hope everyone had an awesome Christmas. Thanks everyone for the gifts!

Jewett, OH

While Virginia was being covered in snow, we took a little trip to Jewett, OH, which is where my sister's husband, Ben is from. It was nice to get away a little bit during the holiday season. I guess it just wouldn't be right if we weren't traveling. But, since we are not going home this year, we thought this would be a good time to get away and be with some family. We made it safe and sound, despite the snow and had a great time.

They had four little goats that the kids LOVED!

There was about 6 inches of snow, which worked out great for sledding. Lexi couldn't get enough!

We've sure missed Uncle Ben!

I think the kids are missing their grandparents right now, so thanks John and Kris for becoming their grandparents! Too sweet!

They had two dogs and we just couldn't get over the size of their St. Bernard, Sylvia. She was more of the size of a small horse. Lexi had fun feeding them dog treats while we were there.

Thanks so much Center family for having us! I've been anxious and excited for Christmas this year...we've never been by ourselves for the holidays. Sunday night while at the Center's we gathered around the piano and sang Christmas hymns, something we would be doing at my parent's house...one thing I LOVE doing! I had to hide my tears as I quickly became home sick and realized how sad I am that we will be to not be with family this year for Christmas. But, I guess that's all part of growing up. Time to start our own traditions. I am grateful that I got to see my sister and her in-laws. Thanks again John and Kris! I hope everyone has a very merry Christmas!!!


And this is what we came home to.

Kimmy wat wat & Ellen

Last Monday my little sister, Kim, and her baby, Ellen, flew in to stay with us for a few days. We had a great time. We got to go into the city a few days to show Kim a little of DC...all those pictures are on Kim's camera. But here are some of the ones I got.

Kim, Ellen, Lexi, Jace

Lexi was a big helper with little Ellen.

Friends!

Our awesome friends, Austyn, Dustin, & Brody, came to visit us last weekend. It is always a good time when the Smith's are in town! We are glad that we live close enough to them that we can see each other every once in awhile. We keep trying to convince them to move to DC! Thanks for coming to see us guys! We miss you already!

This picture was taken right before they left. It was snowing outside and we were hoping it would keep them here a little longer.

One day we went and cruised Old Town Alexandria. This was by the waterfront...obviously

Aw friends!

Aw, friends!

The kids were so cute together. Lexi and Jace loved playing with Brody!

One day Austyn and Dustin let me and the kids watch Brody so they could go to the Holocaust museum. We spent some time making goodies, which they all contributed. Brody thought Lexi was so funny, I had to put this video on here. Too Cute!

Dance

This past week the parents were able to watch their little tappers and ballerinas. I must say it was pretty dang cute. They did a little tap and a little ballet and the rest of the time was spent pretending to be different animals...glad to be spending money on that, but hey, at least they are having fun right???

Lexi and her favorite friend Gretta - these girls are inseperable

Rainy day = punch party

The weather here has been so nice lately, which is weird since it's November! Today was rainy so we had fun having a "punch" party. I had to go to the grocery store so I let the kids pick out what they wanted for their party. It's was scrumtrulescent!

We had "creme de la creme chocolate mousse"

"Princess Fairy-dust balls"

"Srumdiddly Strawberries"

Lexi hopes it will rain tomorrow...Jace just wants more pudding :-)

Trust him, he's a lawyer

It's official! He's a lawyer! Way to go Tyson...we're so proud of you!!!

Halloween!

We spent Halloween carving pumpkins and getting lots of candy...in the rain. The kids didn't seem to mind and it wasn't so bad since it was like 80 degrees outside.

Here's Lexi's family pumpkin

Tyson carving a Crane...we thought that would be apropriate

The Witch and Batman...yes, Jace wore this costume last year

We went trick or treating with all of our good friends. Here's the gang.

Jace really liked trick or treating this year and followed all the big kids to the different houses. It was pretty cute.

Abby Allen (Elizabeth Swan), Lexi and Gretta (the witches) - isn't this a great picture? Best buds!

Washington to Washington

My parents came to visit us last week and the kids and I got to show them around DC. We packed a lot of things in and didn't even scratch the surface. They just have to keep coming back to see more! The weather was perfect while they were here, most of the time we were in short sleeve shirts...it was awesome

Monday we went to Arlington National Cemetery. We did the tour bus that drops us off at the major spots there. This was at the tomb of the unknown soldier, which is guarded 24/7. I am fascinated each time by the changing of the guard.

Tuesday we hit the air and space museum...my dad could have spent the entire week here.

We also went to the archives building on Tuesday, but didn't get pictures there.

Wednesday we did the monuments/memorials. This is at the World War II memorial.

We went to the top of the Washington Monument

The Lincoln Memorial

Reflecting at the reflecting pool

The Jefferson Memorial

FDR Memorial

Dorothy's ruby red slippers from the Wizard of Oz

We also went to the crime and punishment museum, which was a lot of fun.

Before mom and dad left we went and picked out pumpkins.

Thanks for coming to see us mom and dad. We love you and want you to come back already!!!