In early December, Grace and I attended our annual Nutcracker performance. Only this year, I splurged and got tickets to the Nutcracker at the Kennedy Center. The costumes and the orchestra were amazing. We had a wonderful time and were so glad our friend Nicole could join us.
Since we always travel for Christmas to either Michigan or Massachusetts, we started a tradition a few years ago where we would have our own Christmas first. Mainly so that we wouldn't have to bring all of our gifts to each other to either MI or MA. This year we had a great change for our Virginia Christmas. My parents joined us for our celebration. We always try to make it a special weekend and we get very excited for Santa to make a special trip.
In 2010 we started a new tradition of visiting the White House and Capitol Christmas trees. The White House also has "Santa's Workshop" where you can see Santa. Last year the line was too long but this year, we decided to wait in the freezing cold to see the real Santa. Grace was sooooo excited to see Santa. She said he was so calm and sweet. We were all like kids in a candy store walking through Santa's workshop and seeing him. It truly was magical (and warm... it was very cold outside)!
The White House tree with the little state trees in the background.
I guess the cold was getting to little Abby - she doesn't look so happy!
LOVE this picture of my mom and dad!
The Capitol Christmas tree - gorgeous!
Then it was on to cookie making, gingerbread making (it fell about 30 minutes after we finished) and candy making.
We had a fabulous Christmas morning with Kerri and Mark joining us later that afternoon.
I love pictures of little ones seeing the presents for the first time on Christmas morning.
Santa brought Grace's treasured Kanani doll!
And Santa brought Abby's Bitty Baby
Santa left some crumbs that Abby didn't think should go to waste!
Having Christmas on our own special day really makes us realize that Christmas truly is a season of celebrating and giving to others. We make it what it is - a day to celebrate our faith and our love of family.
I'll have more on our Massachusetts Christmas in my next post...
And here are the girls and their Christmas pictures:
Abby - 3 years old
Grace - 7 3/4 years old
1 comment:
I love the idea of having your own Christmas with just the immediate family. It's such a special & intimate time of creating traditions that the kids will always cherish & remember.
So special to have your parents in town right before Christmas. I'm sure everyone enjoyed their visit.
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