Virginia Christmas

We left December 7th to travel to Stafford, Virginia, to spend a week with Tyler's parents.

We flew out of Denver this trip.  Any time we travel Andrew likes to ride the suitcases like this:

We flew Frontier and got a great deal on tickets.  It was a direct flight and went very well considering how hard it is for a two year old and baby to be still for almost four hours.

We got in late Monday night.  Here we are saying hi to Grandma and Granddad.  Rachel painted this picture for Grandma because she likes all things piano.

We slept in Tuesday because of the two hour time difference and because the kids went to bed late.  They were bright and cheerful when they woke up.  Sylvia is happy to get her hair done.

The kids loved all the fun things at Grandma and Granddad's house.  The living room was pretty messy the whole time we were visiting because Andrew and Sylvia loved getting out all the toys.    

The weather got warmer and warmer the whole week we were there.  The first day was the coldest.  Here Daddy and Andrew are re-filling the bird feeders.  Andrew is a big helper!

Andrew found more cool toys!

Tuesday Grandma taught piano lessons in the afternoon so we drove up to pick up Granddad from work.  Tyler is standing outside Arlington Cemetery by the 4th Infantry Division symbol. 

After we picked up Granddad we went to the DC Zoo to see the lights.  It was very cool to see all the Christmas lights!  The entrance is behind us in this picture.

We even went into the reptile house, monkey house, and inside some other buildings to see the animals.  Andrew's favorite was the cute "Sand Cat" that was pacing by the glass.  Andrew tried to pet it and snuggle it.

A cool dinosaur! We had to explain that it wasn't real to Andrew.

It was bath time when we arrived back to Grandma and Granddad's house.

Sylvia had lots of bonding time with Grandma and Granddad. 

It's never too early to teach the love of music!

Sylvia slept in this pack and play in the guest room.  It was very cozy for her.

Both of the kids slept well at Grandma and Granddad's house.  Especially at nap time.  Andrew liked that he could slept in Daddy's old crib set up in Daddy's old room.

They loved story time!

Granddad and Grandma read Andrew lots of stories.

Andrew and Daddy in the van.

Wednesday we were able to visit the Marine Corps Museum.

This is the entrance.  The building is designed to look like the angle of the flag raising at Iwo Jima.  We learned this and many other interesting facts at this very cool museum.

The museum was a lot of fun for everyone.

They even had a big Christmas tree display.

The children's area had a little fishing simulator.  Andrew spent a lot of time here

Granddad fished too!

There was another children's area later on with legos and other toys.

Grandma played Legos with Andrew.

Another morning we visited a park close by.

It was beautiful weather and a perfect way for Andrew to use up some energy.

Grandma and Sylvia!

Andrew sprinted around this track too many times to count.  He also liked to play hop scotch.

It was a great way to spend the morning.

We couldn't believe this was December weather because it felt like spring.  Andrew was too hot running around and didn't even need his sweater.

That afternoon, after putting the kids down for naps, Rachel and Tyler left on a day date.  We went to Mount Vernon and toured where George Washington lived.  The Mount Vernon Ladies Association runs the place and does an excellent job.  They have a functioning farm on site and continue to do research to keep the home as historically accurate as possible.

See the sheep?

There is also a museum and visitor centers with tons of information about George Washington's lfe and many cool videos as well.

It overlooks the Potomac River.

This was taken on the path down to see the tombs of Martha and George Washington.

This is view from the entrance.  You can't take pictures inside the house unfortunately.  It was a great place to visit and we really enjoyed our day date.  We also went out to dinner that evening with Josh and James, two of Tyler's friends at Bonefish Grill.  Grandma and Granddad watched the kids the whole time and Rachel and Tyler enjoyed their special time together.

Another morning Tyler and Andrew helped Granddad cut down a tree.

And fix the little bridge.  Generations working together.

Friday was the Christmas party at church. We got all decked out because we performed!  (The kids didn't but they look so cute in their scarves!)

Rachel and Grandma played the piano duet, "Sleigh Ride" and Tyler and Granddad did a cup/jungle bell routine.  It was really fun and everyone was impressed by the cup routine.

Rachel's cousin, Erin, lives in the area and she drove over to see us too! We were very happy to see her again.

We also made Christmas cookies! This is Great Grandma Christensen's sugar cookie recipe and it is delicious.  Andrew liked helping.

Making Christmas cookies is a special holiday tradition.

Andrew is smiling in this picture because he just ate a big piece of cookie dough.

Saturday morning we went to the Quantico cemetery to help put wreaths on the graves but the morning didn't go as planned.  We were late because Sylvia was grumpy and needed a morning nap and then when we were there, Andrew was grumpy and so we had to leave early.

Later in the afternoon we frosted and decorated the cookies! Yummy!

Sunday night we went to visit the Washington DC temple.  It is so beautiful and there were so many gorgeous Christmas lights on the grounds.

There also was a Nativity scene.  Andrew wanted to see baby Jesus.

And he got to sit on a camel. Also part of the Nativity scene.

This was taken inside the Visitor's Center at the temple with the Christus statue.

They also had a special display of many different little Nativities.  Pictured below is one from Germany (where Tyler served his mission):

And Honduras (where Rachel served her mission):

Family picture

The lights really were spectacular, there were a lot of other families enjoying them as well. 

It wasn't cold at all! We sat outside for a while and felt very comfortable.

Andrew ran around a lot because it was an hour drive to get there.  He had a lot of fun using up his energy.

Little Sylvia is standing and soon to be walking.

Our last view of the lights.

That night we exchanged our gifts.  Andrew LOVES his new road/cars from Grandma.  He has taken it everywhere with him every day since this picture was taken.

Tyler and Granddad got smart watches.

Sylvia's first Christmas gear.  This picture shows her goofy personality.

We left on Monday and as we were driving to the airport we snapped a few pictures of some famous DC landmarks.  This is the Washington Monument:

And the Jefferson Memorial:

There are so many pictures from this trip.  Not included are all the great Christmas lights we were able to see at the zoo and around the neighborhood, most especially Granddad's lights, but those pictures didn't capture how cool they really looked.  Needless to say, we had an awesome time and did a lot of fun things together.  Thank you Grandma and Granddad for letting us visit! We will have fond memories of our early Christmas in Virginia!

One last picture, a group shot after church.