Polar Express Party

Alex threw a Polar Express party for a few friends to get into the Christmas spirit. Natalie and Ryan joined us for the movie and the decorating of gingerbread cookies.



Master at work.



More sugar.



Ryan decides to use ALL the green sprinkles.



Natalie looks happy (or is it all the sugar?)



Every gingerbread cookie needs some blue hair.



Nice and messy.



Yummy.



Ryan sure likes the Polly Pockets!

Christmas Show at Open Arms

Open Arms school had a Christmas show in the middle of December. Joe was travelling back from meetings in California, so Jen & Alex hooked up with Dave, Heather, and Ryan for dinner and the show. But first, there were pictures at the Yates' house.



Alex in her Christmas best.



Look at that cute kid in a suit.



Now that is a keeper.



They almost look a bit shy.



Here comes the Christmas ham.



That is our girl.



Alex mentors Ryan on the art of silly.



And now, the Christmas show.

The Smiths Come to Town

The Smith clan came roaring into town early December as they moved from South Carolina to Maryland. They stayed the weekend and everyone had a blast.




Alex & Jen prepare the fixin's for the gingerbread house.




Yep, mom's little helper.




"I am not a c(r)ook"



Alex gives a thumbs up to a late birthday present.



Snow is a novelty to folks from South Carolina.



Caroline, Alex, and Sarah play in the basement.



All the kids get in on the silliness.




Matthew discovers the doggie door.



Sarah gets dresses up to go out on the town - look out Clyde's, here she comes.





Tubby time!




Matthew loves getting clean.



Gingerbread house time.



Don't forget the front door.




And now for the finishing touches.



There went some of the shingles.



Fineto!



Now what?



Caroline snacks on the front steps.



The girls admire their handy work.



Story time.



Matthew is reading already.



"Goodnight stars, Goodnight air, Goodnight noises everywhere ....."

Putting Up the Christmas Tree

After Alex's birthday, we put up the Christmas tree. It is always so much fun to hang the ornaments from years gone by and reminisce about the past.



How adorable.



Yep, she is part princess.



What would Christmas be without a ham?



Great photo.

Zoo Lights - DC Style

On the 1st of December (Alex's real birthday), we hit the Washington DC Zoo to check out the Zoo lights. Sean, Miki, and Erin joined us for the fun.



Alex touches an armadillo shell.



Erin arrives in style.



Alex & Erin together.



Alex with her new friends, acting silly, waiting for the puppet show to begin.



Alex is rather shy, can't you tell.



Erin & Miki.



Alex provides her commentary to the show (for ALL to hear I might add).



Alex meets the big, but not-so-bad, wolf in the snow globe.



Who wouldn't want to hug a bear statue?