We have built gingerbread houses since our California days

Tradition for my kiddos

This year we gathered with the Hagedorn family and built them with rice krispies

Not sure why the switch, it sure was easier

The family theme was temples, thanks to a righteous missionary serving sister

 

 creation by A

 

 S masterpiece

 

 J used and many accessories as possible

 

M w/ the Angel Moroni and trumpet

a trip to the White House

Our family had the chance to tour the White House this past Christmas

These tours have become few and far between for our fam

I think our last inside tour was 4 years ago

Rob called from work one day and let me know we had gotten a time slot, yippee

The girls skipped school and we made a day out of it

The weather was beautiful and we were able to walk around the National Tree, tour the White House and stop into the US Botanical Gardens

If you ever come to D.C. during the month of December (I know a little crazy), you must stop by

This is one of the coolest things we have seen in town

The main lobby is covered in poinsettias, miniature replicas of all the national monuments made w/ natural materials are everywhere

The best part...the fairy garden

The girls and I were in heaven, every was just so CUTE

 

 

 

(The Smithsonian Castle)

 

(U.S. Capital )

 

 

 

 

 

Plan a Christmas vacation for next year, we offer free room and board and will go together to check out the Gardens

NYC Fun

This happened way back when, just playing catch-up this week :)

The tradition continues, I think my NYC count is now at 11...that makes me happy.  It will be a sad day if at some point when are not able to make the annual pilgrimage to the Big Apple.  This was a short 4 day trip, not even staying through the weekend.  The girls could not believe that we were not staying for church on Sunday.  Church at the temple has been tradition in the past but not this time.  Still made it to all of our favorite stops.  Thanks to a museum card from my parents for Christmas last year we stopped into 4 different museums this trip, all free!  It was great.

 Checking out the T-rex @ ToysRUs

 

 M & her boyfriend at FAO Schwartz

 

 Girls manning the aircraft carrier

 

 

 Future astronauts

 

 Walking with the crowds at Times Square

 

 Fun at Central Park

 

 

 Pit stop at Alice

 

Halloween Haunts

Introducing Hermione Granger and Harry Potter

 

Pulling out seeds

Aubrey went are Laura from Little House on the Prairie, I'm so glad we were able to recycle come costumes this year!

 

M as Hermione

 

Jo made an adorable Belle

the only and only Harry Potter

The girls hit the candy jackpot, staying out until almost 9:00.  Big girls wanted to get their fill, this was their last year trick-or-treating.

Our dentist was offering $2 a pound for candy.  They ate all they wanted Halloween night, which ended up not being much.  I splurged and had a tummy ache and headache for the rest of the evening.  They then filled a small container with their favorites and dropped the rest off at the dentist's office the next day and came home with a pocket of $ 

Go Vote

Have you been to the polls today?

Rob and I went last week, not sure if he was going to be around today

So happy that he's home

The kids want to stay up and see who wins the election,

we are planning on having a little party of sorts

If you're a California reader please vote YES for 37 if you are undecided or not sure

It would get my vote!

The truth about Prop 37

• Just a simple label—like in 61 other countries, indicating if our food has been genetically engineered
• Put on the ballot by a million Californians just like you
• Enables us to make an informed choice about what foods are right for our families
• Supported by consumers, farmers, nurses, doctors and a broad coalition