Nov/Dec Catch-up

I've been a horrible blogger lately...not that anyone cares much. But, since this is our family journal I guess I'd better update it.


For Thanksgiving we went to Virginia to be with my brother Paul, his wife Kim, and their daughter Rya. We had so much fun and got to see a lot of our Nation's amazing history. Thanks so much for letting us invade you!

Sadly, I was as bad at taking pictures as I am at blogging. No pictures of the girls together, of our amazingly delicious food and pies, of Kim and I at 4:00 AM on Black Friday, or our car on the way home with our Black Friday purchases crammed into the car with all of our kids, luggage, snacks, etc. We did get pictures of the places we visited though. We went to the Civil War battlefield of First and Second Bull Run (or Manassas if you're a rebel), Downtown DC (Including the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the Washington Monument, the White House, the WWII memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial), Mount Vernon, and Arlington National Cemetery. Although it was a bit chilly we had beautiful sun and were able to walk around without being freezing to death. Here are some of the pictures we did take (along with a few at home before and after): WARNING, PICTURE OVERLOAD!!!!!

This is Hannah playing with the towels. She thinks it is so fun. I put it on her head and told her she looked like Jesus's mother, Mary. So for the next few days she wanted to be Mary.

I started feeding Myah some solids last month. She didn't really enjoy it too much. She still doesn't. I can usually only get about a total of 2 spoonfuls in because she spits it right out. Oh well, it's not like she needs the nutrients. In case you haven't noticed, she's got plenty of food storage on her.

She looks like she's being tortured. I guess I am force-feeding her.

Since it was kinda close quarters in Virginia, Myah hung out with us in the living room until we went to bed (because she was sleeping with us). She often ended up sleeping on the couch. Gorby (my brother's dog) must have thought she was cozy and warm because we often found him cuddled up next to her. It was pretty cute.

Stonewall Jackson at First Bull Run where he got the name Stonewall. General Bee saw Jackson sitting calmly astride his horse and yelled to his men, "Look at Jackson standing there like a stone wall."

The Washington Monument. This is a lot bigger in person than it looks on TV. The whole Mall area is a lot bigger than I expected too. We did a lot of walking because we parked far away. The girls were so good as we dragged them from one thing to the next. We had to really hurry because it was starting to get dark. I wish we had had more time-there is so much that we didn't get to do and see. I guess we'll have to go back...without the kids!

The White House. This is as close as you can get unless you've got an "in."

Damon and Hannah in front of the White House. Poor Hannah and her cold, red little nose.

There was a big pile of leaves and Hannah had such a great time sitting and playing in them. I guess the cold wasn't bothering her too much. I was chilly though!

Myah all bundled up and still smiling after being dragged around for a while. She is such a good baby. As long as she's fed she's pretty happy!

My favorite President, #16 Abraham Lincoln. I really enjoyed going to the Lincoln Monument and wish that I would have had more time. I was surprised at how touched I was visiting these sites that honored our forefathers. The quotes on the wall as well as the beautiful sculptures really made me appreciate what these great men did for our Country. What an inner struggle Mr. Lincoln must have had with the Civil War and Emancipation Proclamation. I have a very deep respect for him.

Beautiful stained glass depicting the boy George Washington who couldn't tell a lie.

George Washington's home, Mount Vernon. Since we were there for the holidays we got to see the rarely open third floor. Pretty cool. I would like to have learned more about the house but they really rush you in and out because there was quite a crowd.


The view from Mt. Vernon. Beautiful! I would love to wake up to that view every morning!



Arlington National Cemetery. Another very touching place. This really makes you appreciate all of the men and women who have given their lives for our freedoms. Freedom isn't free, these people gave their lives for it. Especially touching is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers.

The front of the tomb says: Here rests in honored glory an American Soldier known but to God.

The "sentinels" that guard the tomb are pretty impressive. After we got home I had to research more about them because watching the changing of the guard was really fascinating. There is a sentinel on guard 24/7. Click here and here for more info.

Tomb with the Sentinel. These are some very disciplined and dedicated soldiers!

That is all from our trip. Now here are some more recent goings on. On Monday and Tuesday Damon took his National Boards. We are all so happy that they are finished. We'll find out in about a month if he passed. Hopefully we'll be celebrating then...maybe our dinner to Red Lobster last night was a little premature, but I don't think so. I'm positive he passed-he studied hard and is one big smarty pants. On another note, we found out last week that we are going to be stationed at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois (just across the river from St. Louis, Missouri) when Damon graduates next May. He'll be doing an AEGD (Advanced Education in General Dentistry) there and we should only be there a year. We're very excited to be going (and to know where we'll be going) and that our friends the Claytons will be stationed there with us. I'm very happy that we'll know SOMEONE when we move!

Myah has been learning how to sit up on her own. Although she is propped up on Hannah's princess couch (SHHH! Don't tell Hannah!) she can sit up for several minutes on her own. Our little baby is growing up on us. She's 5 months old now and weighs 18 or 19 lbs!!! She is still a very happy baby but unfortunately doesn't like to cuddle as much as she used to. It makes me sad, but at least she still likes me to hold her and play with her.

Our Christmas Tree! It is a pretty Scotch Pine (very prickly, which helps keep Hannah from touching it!) and we love it. This is our first tree since we've lived here because we are usually traveling for the holidays. The only downfall is that there is nothing on the top to attach the star to so it looks like it is going to fall off all of the time. Hannah loved putting it up and kept saying, "So pretty!"

Daddy and Myah after Church. Myah is wearing the Christmas dress that Hannah wore last year! What a big girl!

After church I was making lunch and Damon was getting the girls' clothes changed. I guess Hannah got away from him before he was finished with her and this is how he found her, topless (and bottomless too, she's only wearing tights) in Myah's excersaucer. What a character! This smile is classic Hannah these days. She doesn't really enjoy getting her picture taken and does this very cheesy (and very fast) smile. We're lucky if we catch it, especially if her eyes are open.

Hannah in her pretty Christmas dress. Cheesing it again.

Enjoying a cupcake at the Ward Christmas Party. As soon as Santa walked in the room she wanted to sit on my lap. She wouldn't even go near him, even when she found out he was giving away toys (including SLINKYS!) Luckily, Myah is a nice sister and snagged her one when she sat on Santa's lap.

Myah chillin' with Santa. I think her cheeks are rosier than his! Her belly might be bigger too! :)

We hope that you all have a very Merry Christmas. We miss being with our families but are looking forward to a quiet Christmas at home with our little family. Have a safe and happy New Year (if I don't get around to blogging before then).