Our Capitol Tour

We signed up through Senator Mikulski's office a few weeks ago to take a tour of the US Capitol Building today.  The tour began at 11am with a 13 minute movie and then onto a 45 minute guided tour of the Rotunda, the Hall of Statues, and the Crypt.  We had lunch at the Cafeteria, and then got a special pass to see the House of Representatives Chamber Room.  We walked underground through a tunnel which took us behind the Capitol building to the Library Of Congress.  We took some really pretty pictures on our way back to the car.

MERRY CHRISTMAS -2013

Our tree!

Amelia helping me make chocolate fondue on Christmas Eve.

We took a selfie in front of our tree!

There were snow flurries in the air on Christmas Eve.  Thankfully nothing stuck to the pavement. Doesn't Ava look beautiful as she leaves to sing at Church?

Snow on Christmas Eve.... AGAIN???  Only flurries this year...

Here are my beauties on Christmas Eve.

Jenna with the decorations.

My mom and I waiting for our family to come over.

Grannie, Jenna & Amelia

Jenna teaching Jaxson Candy Land under the dining room table.

My side of the family.  Dave is taking the photo.  (I have to remember that Andrew is bigger than me now and I can't hold him on my lap for photos anymore....)

Dave had already changed into his "leisure clothes" for this Christmas Eve photo of our family.  We were tired at this point and anxious to get the kids in bed so that Santa could come.  We had to wait quite awhile.  Ava was WIDE AWAKE.... 

And...CHRISTMAS morning!!  I was the first one up, waiting til 7:30 am for the girls to come down.  Here's the start of gift unwrapping!

Jenna got a stuffed reindeer from Santa!

Amelia got lite brix.

Dave and I on our way to Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Of note... my skin looks clear.. thank you medication.... I THANK YOU.

And a girl cousin/grandparent photo!  Many girls meant lots of play, lots of dress up and fashion show, and so many girls that the older girls were at there own table in the kitchen!

Dave, Steve & Fred

Dave & Drew in front of Grandma's tree.

Olivia and Jenna playing Bubble Guppies games on the computer.

A worn out Jenna on the way home last night.

And TODAY..  matching Jenna & Mary

Chimp car (version 2013) is on the road!

Grandma - This one is for you.... Just found this green bean casserole tonight in my oven.  Last I saw it, I put the onion crunchies on the top and was baking for five more minutes to serve on Christmas Eve.  Things don't ALWAYS go the way I plan in the kitchen. ;)

It's been a great few days!  Monday we baked tons of cookies, Tuesday (Christmas Eve) we cooked and prepared for my side of the family to come over for the evening.  We spent Christmas morning here opening our gifts, and then spent the afternoon and evening and Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Merry Christmas!

Our Gingerbread House Creations...

The Village of Henleyville

The temperatures tonight were right around 65 degrees - a perfect night to get out!  We heard we should check out the Henleyville Christmas Village here in Mt Airy which come to find out is about 5 minutes from our house.  A family has put up for many years quite a display of Christmas lights and decorations for anyone to walk through for free. 

 This is one of the displays. 

 We heard Santa was coming to pay a visit.  Here he is reading a "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to all the kids.  Ava and Jenna are happily right up front.

 Jenna pulled Santa by the hand to ask him to come take a picture with Andrew.  Mrs. Claus was there too!

After our photo, Mrs. Claus was telling Jenna that all the elves were back in the North Pole working hard on all the toys for the kids.  Jenna was listening to all of this VERY carefully.

Santa & Chorus

Andrew saw Santa this morning at his school!

Santa also visited Jenna's morning pre-k today.  Here's Jenna telling Santa she wants a stuffed reindeer for Christmas.

Jenna's Kiddie Hawks class with Santa this morning.

Jenna's Kiddie Hawks (aka Green School) is over until March of 2014.

Tonight was Amelia's Winter Chorus Concert.  She was nervous.  A first for my girls!

Reindeer Cookies

Jenna made Reindeer cookies this morning for her two pre-schools.

And ..... the finished product!!

AMELIA'S 10th!!

 Here's smiling Amelia before school this morning!  Ava has quite the unique way of making everyone smile and laugh lately. 

 Amelia opening her presents.  She really wanted the WII Vacation Game.  She got it!  She also got, shoes, pj's skeleton making kit and some really sweet cards from her sisters.

And this evening.  As requested.  Salmon, Couscous, brussel sprouts for dinner, and this cake!

This is actually from Sunday night.  Amelia and her Juniors Troop took a horse drawn carriage ride in downtown Frederick last night.

A little bit about Amelia now that she is 10!  Amelia is (I'm told) quiet at school and shy.  She isn't this way at home!  We call her the passive mastermind behind all that happens here.  She controls a lot, and I am lucky that she as the oldest sister is very much a rule follower, a pleaser, and not as adventurous as her younger sisters.  I remember waiting for Amelia while she was in Guatemala and every month eagerly awaiting her progress photos. What stood out most in the those photos were her eyes.  Amelia still has very expressive eyes and can use them in good and bad ways!!!  She doesn't really care what she is wearing, or what the fashions are as long as she is not wearing jeans or shirts that are uncomfortable.  She does very well in school, doing her homework on the bus so that she can come right in and get down to fun, which for Amelia is playing cube games on the Kindle or playing games on the Wii.  She still loves to write stories in her pads and draw pictures of silly animals, dolphins, funny faces and stories about her sisters.  She still loves playing with animals - stuffed or figures over any kind of doll.  She is very crafty and can easily put together any lego set she is given without hesitation.  She is our most eager traveler.  She would be happy out exploring anywhere we can travel, although when it comes to running around town she would rather use her new found freedom and stay home by herself.  Ava is still Amelia's best friend ever.  They are very close.  Amelia is a fourth grader, part of the school chorus for the second year, and is now a Junior Girl Scout. 
I love you, Amelia!  You are my shining star!