Spaceships!

We spent a day in wonder at the Smithsonian Air & Space Udvar-Hazey hangar at Dulles Airport. Oscar really enjoyed everything to do with space. We also enjoyed catching up with friends of ours from Alaska that were in town visiting relatives.

Oscar's run in with the coffee table is closing up nicely.

Christmas Day

Santa came!

happy children

sleeping dog...our Christmas morning started early: 5AM!!!
Oscar woke up first and once he's up there's no going back to bed, regardless what day it is.

we had two trees so after we finished in one room we moved on to the next!

It was our first time having two trees, Dad brought them from the camp in Michigan, they were lovely and perfect. Amazing as this was his first time to our new house.

Eleanor & Ruthie (American Girl doll) thank Grandma for uniting them.

Oscar & his parade of new vehicles watch the movie CARS together.

He was so cute, kicking his legs up and down, a sure sign of his happiness.

10am...and Oscar is out cold with his new diggers & race cars!

What an early & exciting Christmas morning!

Christmas Eve

Grandma & Eleanor at church Christmas Eve. (See Poppa in the background?)

I had wanted to take a family photo before we left for the Evening Service, but we ran out of time. We enjoyed Alaskan prawns & white king salmon for dinner upon our return. Oscar fell asleep on the way home from church and so missed out on Christmas Eve dinner.

Snowmen

My snowman
Grandma Judi helping Oscar with his snowman.

Helping Poppa make his snowman.

A big snowman made by Poppa!

Our snowmen family, made on Christmas Eve day.

Baking Rolls

Grandma Judi & I baked rolls for our Christmas meals...Yum!

Holiday Magic at the Botanical Garden

We went to the US Botanical Garden to see the Holiday Magic train & miniature house display. What a treat! Oscar was in awe, he just stood there waiting for the train to come by him again!
Quick little ladybug train.

We climbed several flights of stairs to go on the jungle overlook walk.

It was hot up there but the view was worth it!

Grandma found a pitcher plant, Eleanor had fun pouring out the water inside them.

My favorite train, each car was named: Gingerbread, Mistletoe & CandyCane Express.

Handmade natural replica of the Capitol.

The Capitol on a beautiful clear cold day.

Sledding

Oscar had fun sledding!

Record Snowfall

Poppa, Eleanor & Clipper prepare to brave the snow.
Oscar & Poppa drove up and down our street
to make driving lanes as the plows haven't come yet.

Kristian shoveling off the truck while Eleanor & neighbor friend Eliza look on.

He did a great job clearing our driveway & sidewalks.

My Snow Angel

Winter Wonderland

We got over 2 feet of snow!

Wanna come over & grill? It'll be fun to look back on this come summertime.

We are enjoying being hunkered down, Mom & I braved the grocery store on Friday along with thousands of others doing the same, so we are well-prepared to relax at home. I am nursing a sore throat and am enjoying watching the birds at the feeder outside the living room window. Grandma is in the kitchen baking cookies!

Winter Storm 2009

The snow started Friday night at 9pm and fell all day Saturday and into the night.
Oscar stomping down snow in the driveway while Daddy shovels.

The van & house covered in a pretty white blanket.

Jasmine had a blast playing in the snow!

One of my fondest memories of her as a puppy is playing in the snow in our fenced in yard in Petersburg, Alaska.

Gingerbread House

Eleanor's class made gingerbread houses & parents were invited to help.

It was fun to watch her frost, decorate & sneak candy!

Classmate & friend Sam.

They were so cute together!

The final product.

Notice the wider gap in her smile...she pulled out her second tooth (lower left central incisor) the night before.

Gingerbread Men

Eleanor preparing to frost & decorate her gingerbread cookies.
Oscar is quite proud of his decorating!

Monumental Tour

Oscar after touring the Washington Monument for the first time.

He loved going from window to window to see the different views in each direction.

This is Poppa Ronnie's first visit to DC so we took him on the grand tour to see all the monuments. Grandma had been before and enjoyed seeing them again with her grandson. Eleanor was in school & Kristian had to work. I am learning my way around "the district" and finding parking places without meters

Oscar & Poppa at the WWII Memorial.

Wish Great Grandpa Fred could have made it.

Vietnam Wall

Approaching the Lincoln Memorial

Oscar and "the big man" as he calls him.

Poppa & Grandma Judi pose with President Lincoln.

Reflecting