Christmas ICE Exhibit at National Harbor

Lelia had a blast! 

 This was a slide made out of ice.  Sedona got stuck and didn't like that so much.



We went to the Gaylord for an annual Christmas themed ice exhibit.  This year the theme was The Grinch.  All of the rooms were filled with huge ice sculptures of scenes from the book.  It was 9 degrees inside the tent so they give you extra heavy parkas to wear while you are inside.  Sedona wasn't so fond of the cold so we only lasted inside about 15 - 20 minutes.

Chirstmas tree made entirely out of Peeps. 

We took a ride on a train inside the Gaylord hotel.  Daddy and Sedona sat together and Lelia and I sat together.  It was a sweet time with her. 

 We had ice cream at Ben & Jerry's BEFORE lunch.

Our Visit with the Solorzanos

My friend Sarah Meehan Solorzano is back in the states on furlough from her missions work in El Salvador where she met her husband, Jorge.  Once again I didn't take great pics but here are a few from our dinner.

Oops, Jorge's eyes are shut...should have taken more pics!! 

The kids were taking pictures with Sarah's camera all night. 

New Years Eve

We had such a great time on New Years Eve this year.  We went to the Gotts' house and had finger food as well as a chocolate fountain with fruit and other goodies for dipping.  I'm pretty sure that was the hit of the night.  It was also exciting because the Theils had never seen or played a Wii before.  It was hillarious and such fun for all of us!  We feel so blessed to have the friends we have.

 The game started very modestly, on the couch with little movement.

The game quickly got more serious. 

They were really getting into it.  I think Theil actually won.  Beginners luck? 

Rose, who is very laid back and very reserved didn't want to play.  We finally convinced her and not only did she get really into it, she beat everyone! 

Here's Megan with Thomas Theil and her son Preston.  You can't see it but she is 8 months pregnant and still playing with the kids and hosting parties at her house.  She's awesome! 

Lelia playing in thier playroom.

Cooking with Mommy

Lelia wearing her new monogrammed apron she got from Aunt Jill and Uncle Jeremy.  So cute!

Christmas Pics

Like I said on my previous post, I am embarrassed at how few pictures I took this Christmas.  We only got pictures of opening stockings and opening the tree with my dad.  No pictures of the time we spent at my mom's house.  So, when they send me some pictures I'll post more later.



Christmas Eve

I am embarrassed about how few pictures I took this year of our Chirstmas Eve and Christmas Day.  I did take a few of our time on Christmas Eve that we shared with our very close friends the Theils.  Unfortunately the only pictures I took were of the kids bouncing on the trampoline after dinner.  Here they are...

Training Shoppers

I took the girls out for some last minute Christmas food shopping.  They had so much fun pushing the carts and helping mommy choose food to buy.  The best part was Lelia signing Jingle Bells all the way through the store.  We got lots of laughs, giggles and "they're so cute" from the other customers shopping.  It was pretty fun. 

Snow Angel Practice

Frist Snow of the Year!

Getting ready to brave the cold! 

Lelia's snow angel. 

Sedona recovering from her snow angel. 

And, eating it!

Pebble Snack for Christmas Gifts

 They unwrapped all the Hershey's Kisses with surprisingly little help.



 Put the Kisses on square pretzels lined up on cookie sheets.

We placed the cookie sheets in the oven on low for 5 minutes.

As soon as they came out the kids put a peanut M&M into the melted Hershey's Kiss.  After letting them cool and harden we placed them in boxes to deliver to neighbors and other friends.  I got the idea from Laura at 10 Million Miles while she was guest posting on Raising Homemakers.