December

Why yes, I know it's the end of January but I wanted to remember.  As you read, most of January has been spent being sickies or out of town, I just haven't had a moment.  So here on this blog, the Christmas season really can last all year.  You're welcome.

We did some shopping in Old Town Alexandria and enjoyed the colonial inspired decorations.  We didn't really get the chance to enjoy the decor last year (with a newborn and all) so we wanted to be sure to get out and see it.  We especially liked the use of fruit in the decor.  It's very colonial.  Oh, and pineapples are a symbol of welcome and hospitality. 

Isn't that unlike anything you've ever seen before?

After all of that shopping, we did some wrapping.  Of course, Leo likes to help.

I was asked to help with the ward Christmas party nativity.  We ended up making 6 foot tall, 3 dimensional stable animals and a backdrop.  Turned out amazing.  Believe me, I was just the labor, I don't think I could ever have imagined that you could do that with boxes and paper.

Camel

I took a trip into the city with a friend to attend an interfaith holiday concert at the Jewish Synagogue.  It was quite the experience.

The moms got together to do a night out.  For first time moms, it's a pretty big deal to be able to get out without the babes.  Special thanks to Heb for letting me do that.

Went to girls night out at a Los Tascas, a tappas restaurant in Old Town with the moms.

Oh, and I got to spend time with this darling little guy.  Just had to throw it in.

We made gingerbread houses one evening.  One of my favorite holiday traditions.  The Blake's brought all the fixings over and we built our houses.  Some were more sturdy than others.

And of course, Leo loved the Christmas decorations. 

 We had a nice Christmas dinner before we embarked for Utah.

Leo right after his first steps.

Us and the Blakes at dinner

So there was the holiday season in Virginia. 

Photos

I love pictures.  I do.  I want them hanging all over our home.  In them are memories and people we love.  I feel much more urgency to take pictures since having Leo.  If we don't take one today, he will be a different baby tomorrow.  We are always changing. 

Now, I don't want you to get the idea that I am a crazy picture taking mama.  I heard an story once about a woman who had scrapbooked every single day of each of her children's lives.  It took hours to create pages but she felt compelled to have one for every day.  Her home was taken over in scrapbook supplies (poor husband in that situation) and there were books upon books.   See, I'm not like that at all.  I don't have even one scrapbook.  

But I do like to remember the things that make me happy, to record them and to see them. We are made up of our experiences.  Who we are is what we have done, to some extent. 

So why this tangent?  Well, we just had our pictures taken by our friend Jenny Lewis.  We are so happy with them.  I stole a few from her blog to share here.  I can't wait to get some printed up and to design our Christmas card.   Go visit her site for more pictures.   http://jenniferjlewis.blogspot.com