(WARNING: These are some very long posts...)
VISITING WITH OLD FRIENDS
This adorable little girl's name is Sophia. Her mom was a Mia Maid leader of mine, who has three boys and this little girl. Lydia and Sophia are about six months apart and so Lydia has been so blessed to receive such cute clothes from Sophia after she has grown out of them. Thank you so much Sophia! It was so fun to finally meet you. Lydia and Sophia played great together. Maybe they will be pen-pals some day! :)
I also got to see Mallory Cashdollar, a friend from high school. She came over for dinner with her boyfriend that I have always heard her talk about, but never have met. It was fun to talk and visit with them.
I also got to see Mallory Cashdollar, a friend from high school. She came over for dinner with her boyfriend that I have always heard her talk about, but never have met. It was fun to talk and visit with them.
NATIONAL HARBOR
My parents were so good to us while we there we got to spend a lot of time together and not have to worry about Lydia. Rachel didn't get to go on the train with every one else because she had some finals to take, so Chris, Rachel, and I all went to the National Harbor together. It was really really neat and we had a blast! Such a fun place to visit!
There was a suspended, stain-glass Christmas tree, strips of light hanging from the ceiling to represent the Northern Lights, fountains and gardens inside, and they even made it "snow" inside. We got to see an incredible water show. I filmed the whole thing and then at the very end, my camera erased it..? It must have been too long for my camera to hold. The fountains shot so high into the air it was impressive. They changed colors and moved to a narration of the Bible Christmas Story and powerful musical selections.
Inside the Gaylord Hotel at the National Harbor.
The Gardens inside the Gaylord.
Us three just taking a picture...
There was a suspended, stain-glass Christmas tree, strips of light hanging from the ceiling to represent the Northern Lights, fountains and gardens inside, and they even made it "snow" inside. We got to see an incredible water show. I filmed the whole thing and then at the very end, my camera erased it..? It must have been too long for my camera to hold. The fountains shot so high into the air it was impressive. They changed colors and moved to a narration of the Bible Christmas Story and powerful musical selections.
Inside the Gaylord Hotel at the National Harbor.
The Gardens inside the Gaylord.
Us three just taking a picture...
That hand's not huge...we're just tiny! :)
...ok, so maybe that hand is huge!
AHHHH!!! Help me! He's going to eat me!!!
And they each said!...ok.
The Beautiful Tree next to the water at the National Harbor.
And this is how big it is!
The dancing Christmas tree was Great! The music played all through the whole little town.
CAROLING
Gabe and Lydia got to ride in Grandpa's wagon.
My mom makes her famous yummy rolls every year and takes them with jam, to neighbors and friends.
VISIT TO THE WASHINGTON D.C. TEMPLE AND LIGHTS
We had the wonderful opportunity to attend a temple Endowment session with my parents while we were there. The Washington Temple is absolutely gorgeous. I hold a unique reverence for this temple seeing as it was the one that I visited most as a youth. It stands for truth and righteousness above the trees of Maryland. It is a common landmark used for traffic reports because it is a light upon the hill and it stands bold against the darkness so that all can see of its beauty and purity. I am so grateful for the blessings that proceed from the temple and ultimately from our Father through the temple. We are blessed to have the privilege of performing the sacred ordinances that we do inside these walls. As if it needs more light and beauty, Christmas time brings people from all over the area to visit the temple and the visitors center because of it's peculiar spirit and extraordinary beauty. Thank you to Nicolette, who babysat Lydia for us so that we could invite Christ into our lives in a way that few other places can.
not sure what face I'm making, but I do know that it was cold and windy.
This is usually a live nativity, but the night that we were there, they were just manikins. Still beautiful though.
The Visitor's Center was arrayed with beautifully decorated trees.
These two are just the greatest!
This was my favorite Nativity set at the Big Nativity display they host every year.
DECORATING THE CHRISTMAS TREE
The cutest Christmas tree ever!! I have known this Christmas tree through every Christmas since I can remember! Love it!
Gabe and Lydia got to ride in Grandpa's wagon.
My mom makes her famous yummy rolls every year and takes them with jam, to neighbors and friends.
VISIT TO THE WASHINGTON D.C. TEMPLE AND LIGHTS
We had the wonderful opportunity to attend a temple Endowment session with my parents while we were there. The Washington Temple is absolutely gorgeous. I hold a unique reverence for this temple seeing as it was the one that I visited most as a youth. It stands for truth and righteousness above the trees of Maryland. It is a common landmark used for traffic reports because it is a light upon the hill and it stands bold against the darkness so that all can see of its beauty and purity. I am so grateful for the blessings that proceed from the temple and ultimately from our Father through the temple. We are blessed to have the privilege of performing the sacred ordinances that we do inside these walls. As if it needs more light and beauty, Christmas time brings people from all over the area to visit the temple and the visitors center because of it's peculiar spirit and extraordinary beauty. Thank you to Nicolette, who babysat Lydia for us so that we could invite Christ into our lives in a way that few other places can.
not sure what face I'm making, but I do know that it was cold and windy.
This is usually a live nativity, but the night that we were there, they were just manikins. Still beautiful though.
The Visitor's Center was arrayed with beautifully decorated trees.
These two are just the greatest!
This was my favorite Nativity set at the Big Nativity display they host every year.
DECORATING THE CHRISTMAS TREE
The cutest Christmas tree ever!! I have known this Christmas tree through every Christmas since I can remember! Love it!
Lydia and I trying to put an ornament on the tree together.
Gabriel was so cute. At first we could barely get him to hang an ornament on the tree. Once we handed him the ornament, he just wanted to play with it. But after he hung one, he wanted to hang one ornament after another after another. He thought that it was pretty fun. He looked adorable in his little train pajamas. What a fun time we had getting to know this little man a little bit better!
Lydia chewing on an ornament that I made in Elementary School.
Nic and Ranae-Hey
Lydia opening her gift from Grandma and Grandpa
This little book has to be Lydia's new favorite! It lights up and plays music when you open it and she just dances away.
THANK YOU MOM AND DAD SO MUCH FOR LETTING US STAY WITH YOU! WE HAD A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS SEASON SPENT WITH THE ONES THAT WE LOVE.
THANKS NICOLETTE AND RYAN FOR WATCHING LYDIA AND SPENDING TIME WITH US DURING A BUSY TIME FOR YOU WHILE YOU CLOSED ON YOUR HOUSE AND ALL.
THANKS RACHEL FOR PUTTING UP WITH US USING YOUR COOL NEW LAPTOP AND IPOD TOUCH. AND FOR SPENDING TIME WITH US DURING YOUR BUSY FINALS.
WE LOVE YOU ALL!
1 comment:
YAY! you finally posted! :) Looks like you guys had a WONDERFULL holiday! HOw long were you there for? You guys sure did a ton of stuff! I thought that those were pics from the Gaylord hotel..last year at this time I was checking out the gaylord lights in Texas too! haha....i love your pictures especially the one of your funny facial expression and the getting eaten one! That is too funny! I also really liked the pictures of Lydia and her daddy walking together. I can't wait to take some "Peyton and daddy" pictures! I am so glad you all made it safely back and I hope you have a FANTASTIC new year!
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