Christmas Day

We had such a wonderful Christmas Day. We spent the morning just relaxing, and opening presents together. Grandma Hare and Aunt Cour D'Alene skyped us while we opened presents. Then we went to church which was such a nice way to spend our Christmas morning. I wish every Christmas was celebrated on a Sunday. It makes you focus on what's really important.

We skyped during part of the Flanders and Hare's Christmas parties. It was strange to be away from everyone for Christmas. But knowing we'd be home soon we didn't miss it very much. We were just grateful for this quiet day we got to spend as our little family. It really was a perfect way to spend a Christmas.

I wish I had a better picture of my decorations. I didn't want to go buy expensive stuff since I would just have to leave it behind. But I loved my garland and wreath I made from the bottom branches of our Christmas tree.

I love this picture. It's exactly what happened with all the presents. Raiyah taking her time to analyze each thing she opened, and Malakai just racing through to see all the things before deciding what to play with.

Grandma and Grandpa Hare visit to Virginia

We had a great time with Grandma and Grandpa Hare visiting. The first thing they did was let Ryan and I go up to Washington DC for the weekend by ourselves. It was so nice to get a break. I think Grandmama was reminding us how much we miss her babysitting for us all the time; the kids miss it too. When we got back we spent a day in Williamsburg checking out all of the Christmas decorations, and historic buildings.

We also took them to Fort Monroe. But the rest of the time was just hanging out. It was so nice to be with them.

This is the first year we have bought a real christmas tree. I don't think we can ever go back to the fake one we have in storage at home. It was so much fun going and picking out our tree, and getting it all set up. And walking inside the beach house with the smell of pine was just wonderful.

 There was a Christmas Parade in downtown Norfolk. As you can see by the kids' faces they were thrilled. There were lighted floats, Santa, lighted firetrucks, and just lot's of fun. It was strange celebrating Christmastime with no snow, and pretty warm days. But we had a lot of fun.

 We went to the parade with the Robertson's. They have one more daughter Gracie not in the picture. We loved getting to know the Robertson's they were great friends. The first day we arrived in Norfolk Chris (our church bishop) was willing to help us in anyway needed. He helped us find a place to stay, and calmed my troubled thoughts of showing up to a city with no home for my kids. :) Needless to say the first time he met us I was in tears because I was stressed from driving across country for a week, and then having no place to call home. But Chris and Heidi helped me to be positive and know that it would all work out. We taught their son Marshall in church. He reminded us both of my brother Matt. We enjoyed teasing him and getting to know all of their great kids. Marshall is also the one who taught Ryan to go crabbing. He was a modern day HuckleberryFinn.

Virginia Beach Aquarium

My parents bought us a pass to the aquarium when they visited. We really enjoyed visiting here with my parents, and many friends. The kids thoroughly enjoyed all the exhibits. There were room sized aquariums of sharks, turtles, and lot's of fish. We had fun with Becham and Kenyon Larsen on one of our fun visits.

Portsmouth Virginia

 We thought this "lightship" was pretty neat. Where they didn't have a place to put a lighthouse but needed lights they would just put a ship out to warn the other ships.

View of Norfolk from Portsmouth side

Historic downtown was very comfortable and fun to visit.

The Children's museum was exciting for the kids. There were some things that were really original and fun to play with. The kids had a great time.

December Happenings

As always we had a lot of fun hanging out with Whitings. We decided to make "graham cracker" gingerbread houses. Everyone had a great time, and it was a lot of fun to let this kids make their first of hopefully many candy houses. :)

These were taken at our ward christmas party in Norfolk. It was fun singing Christmas carols, eating good food, and getting to sit on Santa's lap.

I put this picture in only because of what took place at this bridge was really neat. But I have to say I was VERY dissapointed in the ceremony we went to for the new monument that was erected for it. We stayed for atleast an hour and the only thing we saw and heard were LOTS of different people giving LOTS of other people awards. It was pretty pathetic. But once I remember what this bridge is called I will inform you of why it is actually a very neat part of history :)

Braden Peterson (blonde friends sitting next to Malakai had a birthday party at the firestation. It was a lot of fun for the kids. At first you could tell the firefighters weren't too sure how to approach these little of kids. But then threy all got into it showing the kids all of their cool stuff. And it was really fun for the kids to see them in action. While we were there they had all four trucks called out at different times, and all but two of the fire fighters gear up right in front of them and jump in the trucks. It was really fun for the kids.