Christmas 2013!

 Monday was the first day of Christmas break. Paul had to work in DC all day, but the kids and I played, cleaned, and had a play date with some friends. When Paul got home, I made fried rice for dinner, and he taught FHE on Christmas in the Book of Mormon. The girls were little elves that night:)

Tuesday was Christmas Eve! We took it easy for a little while, but then realized we had a lot to do to get ready for dinner guests that night, and grandparents the next day. Paul led the house cleaning and kid watching while I did all the cooking and laundry. We took a break to get everyone cute, and had a photo shoot in front of the tree.

 Happy sisters!

 So grown up!

 Cute little pixie!

 Handsome man!

 Paul and kids.

 Fort party!

 We made a batch of playdoh the night before.

 The girls helped me cut rice crispy treats into Christmas shapes.

 It was cold, but the kids wanted to play outside.

 When the work was mostly done, the kids got their promised reward: making snowflakes.

 I had cooking to finish up, so the girls (well, Grace) came in and caroled to me!

 The turkey was awesome, as usual!

 We had a nice, big spread, and invited our friends over to join us. My friend's husband moved to Florida at the beginning of Dec. to start a new job, so she stayed behind for the kids to finish out school, and then had tickets to a Yo Gabba Gabba concert in Baltimore on the 27th, so they stuck around here with no house and no husband for Christmas:( We had a nice time with them.

 Turkey, stuffing, potato casserole, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, rolls, and cranberry sauce, with chocolate layer pudding and rice crispy treats for dessert! Then we lit all the candles in the house and read/played the nativity from the Bible. We watched the 5-minute movie of the Nativity, then read Twas the Night Before Christmas. It was really nice.

 Our friends opted out of going to the ward Christmas Eve devotional with us. We went without much idea of what it was, then felt awkward in the chapel with our jeans and tennis shoes. Oh, well. Grace was a sheep in the nativity, there were some readings, musical numbers, and congregational hymns. It was nice, and lasted just from 7-8 pm.

 After driving to see some Christmas lights, the kids set out their letter to Santa, as well as cookies and carrots for the reindeer. Paul and I got the house clean, etc...

 On Christmas, Grace woke up at 7:15, then Charlie woke up soon after. Alice didn't want to get up when we tried her at 7:45, but we finally convinced her. They read the letter Santa left them, then we all went to the basement to find full stockings, and everything the kids had asked Santa for! Grace got 2 sets of magformers, Alice got a doll carrier (Moby) and dress-up shoes, and Charlie got balls and a magnadoodle.

 Charlie didn't care as much about his new toys as climbing up on the file box.

 We brought his high chair down to feed him breakfast while we opened gifts.

 Alice got some help from Daddy.

 Grace had a huge stack of gifts!

 Fancy dress coat from Mom Gabe!

 I got Paul a weather station.

 The aftermath. 

 BYU lollipops are sure to turn your tongue blue!

 Cinnamon rolls and clementines for brunch.

 Paul got me a book on prehistoric mammals: my favorite thing to see at natural history museums.

 Our first Christmas morning on our own was a success!

 Alice constantly wanted to play her new game with everyone. Candyland is a classic!

 Fun new crayons:) 

 Alice's favorite doll, Aurora, apparently didn't like the Moby, but Bobotch was happy to ride in it:)

 The Christmas Day dessert bar.

 Making fake snow to play with.

 Christmas Eve leftovers for Christmas dinner.

 Playing in the fake snow.

 Grandma Terisa got Grace three chapter books for Christmas. She finished all three that day.

 Mom and Dad Gabe arrived around 6:30. Charlie took an immediate liking to Grandma.

 And Alice immediately enlisted them to play Candyland.

 Our leftovers weren't leftovers to them!

 Candyland before bed, and then nice talks with Mom and Dad Gabe before we all crashed into our beds. What a great Christmas!

 Thursday morning, the playdoh gravel factory got opened.

 Grandpa stayed home with Charlie while the rest of us went to see Frozen. We loved it! Paul put in some work hours, then he and I did a little bit of after Christmas shopping.

 Meanwhile, everyone else played Candyland.

 That wasn't the only source of fun this weekend: Monopoly Crazy Cash, magformers, and a truck carrying a helicopter were also popular. Then Mom and Dad Gabe took us grocery shopping, and out to eat at Ruby Tuesdays.

 Do you think I like Charlie more than he likes me?

 Mom Gabe's job at BYU inspired her to purchase BYU sweatshirts for the whole family. We love this new development! We played Qwirkle that night, and heard about the birth of Lynne and Kit's baby!

 On Friday, Paul played playdoh with the kids before putting in some work hours.

 By noon, he was done with work, and we were on our way to DC together. It was our Christmas gift to each other, and made possible by Mom and Dad Gabe being willing to babysit. Thank you so much!

 Paul planned the Friday half of the date, and I planned Saturday. There was crazy traffic getting in to DC, so we decided to stay off the main roads, and checked out a little mall in Arlington until we could check into our 4-star Hyatt at 3 pm. We got a decent deal on priceline, and it was a nice hotel. Then we took the bus to Georgetown and ate at Golden Brown Delicious.

 Paul had a bright idea! We hoped this place would have everything fried imaginable, and do an amazing job of it. Well, the chicken was amazing, but the donuts and fish/chips were just okay, and that's all they had to offer. We were a little disappointed, but it was fun!

 We looked at some shops in Georgetown, including a paper store. I tried on the Santa mask.

 How does Paul look with a beard?

 Then we went to the Ritz-Carlton for free smores on baguettes. The lobby had a nice fireplace and huge Christmas tree! After that, we headed to a walking tour of the ghosts of Georgetown. The ghost stories were just okay, but we really liked seeing the architecture and going back into the neighborhoods and hearing some of the history.

 We saw the site of TV's DC Cupcakes on our way home, so we stopped for a picture. We did not, however, wait in the massive line to actually buy a cupcake! We did a little bit more shop browsing, then stopped for milkshakes at a 3-story McDonald's by our hotel. We were so tired from all our walking that we layed in bed and watched the BYU bowl game and food shows the rest of the evening.

 On Saturday, we got up on our own terms without being interrupted all night! We got ready, and walked to Starbucks to use a giftcard Paul got from work. Hot chocolate, a smoothie, hot breakfast sandwiches, and cookies used up the whole $20!

 Then we took the metro.

 We went to the Lincoln Memorial.

 And saw the Washington Monument.

 Paul really admires Lincoln. So do I.

 We were underwhelmed by the WWII memorial.

 The American History Museum was cool, with Julia Childs' whole kitchen!

 Nauvoo sunstone.

 President Gabrielsen.

 Then we walked past the beautiful old post office.

 And ate lunch at an Indian buffet. We had such a wonderful time together! When we got home, Mom/Dad Gabe left for the pharmacy (he wasn't feeling well) while we caught up with our kids.

 When they got back, Grace did a glitter tattoo on me.

 Some pics from Dad Gabe: Happy eater.

 Pulling pigtails.

 Standing.

 Playground Grace.

 And Alice.

 New outfit from Grandma Lu.

 Cupcake decorating set.

 Frosting.

 Messy.

 Chocolatey.

 Silly.

 Pretty.

 Story.

Last night, I made white turkey chili with leftover turkey from Christmas Eve, and Paul helped direct traffic at the DC temple lights. After the kids went to bed, we watched Design Star with Dad Gabe.
Mom/Dad Gabe left this morning to go see the new baby. We'll see them again when they come for President's Day!