Backlog of Holiday Photos!

Hi all -- sorry we are so behind in updating the blog. Rather than doing several blogs, we did one long one. We just posted the pictures and hope to add more text soon.

Below pictures from the National Botanical Garden and its holiday toy train exhibit.

It is getting closer to Christmas in Alexandria and Mom and Evie can't wait!

The family took a trip to Yorktown to visit Evie Ruth middlenamesake's house, which has been beautifully renovated by Katrina's cousins. The tradition has been for the kids to hold candles while singing the German version of Silent Night.

Christmas Eve in Fairfax Station at Ba's and Opa's with Aunt Amy and Uncle Karl.

Looks like Santa made an early visit to Fairfax Station but couldn't fit in the chimney so he had to leave the presents outside.

Christmas morning in Alexandria!

Christmas afternoon in Spring Lake with BeBe, Popi, Uncle Dave, Aunt Casey, cousins Julianna and Stan. Unfortunately, we had to leave early due to the upcoming snow storm before we could see Uncle Wally, Aunt Karen and cousin Molly.

During the holidays, Evie takes a trip to the National Air and Space museum and checks out some toy rockets!

New Year Day is here and that means cleaning out the closet. Evie found a new best friend, the Caddyshack gopher!

Evie's adventures with Bebe

Evie had a wonderful adventure with Grandma Bebe on Wednesday downtown in the city. First stop was the Museum of Natural History. Evie was very helpful in pointing out the museum to Bebe and instructing her to go park in the parking lot when no parking could be found on the street. The two explorers enjoyed looking at the dinosaurs but Evie loved visiting the butterfly garden the best, where they flew all around her.

Evie looks up in wonder and delight at the butterflies fluttering around her.


Then it was off to Union Station where Evie watched all the model trains chug on by. What a great day - thanks Bebe!

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

December is finally here, which means it's time for the holidays! The season kicks off as usual with our traditional attendance at the Scottish Walk parade in Old Town. Evie really enjoyed it this year (last year it was snowy and cold) - she loved the bagpipers, Scotty dogs in their fancy sweaters and kilts, and candy cane lollipops. Here she is saying "Wow" as the MacDonald clan walks by.
Nothing's better than getting free candy canes at a parade!
There's Santa in the background, "Ho, ho ho!"

Then after the parade, it was time to decorate our Christmas tree! Evie was very good at putting ornaments on the lower branches and even developed an interesting technique to put on the glass balls - she threw them on the tree and most of them ended up sticking (for the others, luckily our tree is on carpet so nothing broke!).

There is much to be thankful for...

The family had a wonderful, laid-back Thanksgiving this year in Old Town with Bebe, Popi, Opa and Ba. Dad made a scrumptious turkey which was so good that we didn't have any leftovers, and the rest of the food was delicious too, from the stuffing to the apple pie.

Evie is all smiles as she and Daddy toast the turkey they helped prepare together. Evie helped with the potatoes too by organizing Daddy's potato peels.
Evie proudly wears her Native American headdress with her pink and white feathers.
Bebe and Evie get changed in their PJs and practice their funny faces!

Happy Birthday Popi!

On the weekend of November 12, the family went up to Spring Lake to wish Popi a very happy 70th birthday (his actual birthday is November 14).

Evie is the guest of honor at Popi's toast.

But that didn't last too long as cousins Julianna, Molly and Stan joined her. I think Evie liked being the only one on Popi's lap.

The next day there was time for fun in the backyard as Evie pushed her duck around in her stroller.

Hmmm... who's on that phone (and she shouldn't have that phone next to her head with all that radiation going into her brain!).

Evie and Molly hold hands in the double stroller ride around the lake!

Dad lines up with his three brothers in age order with Uncle Patrick (a guest appearance from Los Angeles) leading the group, followed by Uncle Wally, Dad and Uncle Dave.

Evie goes trick o' treating for the first time...

Evie hit the infamous Lee Street in Old Town for her first trick or treating experience. She mastered saying "Trick or Treat" and "Thank you." but then it became a little harder as she couldn't resist the lure of her lollipop treats for the rest of the evening.

Evie poses next to her friend the witch. She was much more friendly than the witch that when Evie gave her a high five, started screeching. Whoops, didn't see that coming.
Daddy's friend the pirate skeleton peeks over his shoulder to check out Evie's booty. I believe she is on lollipop #2 at this point.

Evie helped design her little pumpkin so that Daddy carved 2 Jack O'Lanterns this year.