Christmas 2014

Christmas 2014 Agenda

• Christmas Eve ginger bread house making with Willis Cousins
• meet up with Walkers and view the lights at the Washington DC Temple
• back home for nativity play with kids
• Christmas morning wake up and open presents!
• RELAX all day! 
• Christmas dinner with Grandma and Grandpa Walker, Uncle Joe and Aunt Vanessa!

A warm DC day

I love this city. Love it, love it. love it. Every time we go I marvel at how much there is to do, and that most everything is FREE. We had the good fortune of having a beautiful day in the December, so we headed downtown to hit up a museum, and see the trains and Santa at the White House. This day was perfection!

I've been using the timer on my camera a lot to get family pictures (above), but the candid shots that timer captures are priceless (below). Run, Clara! Run!

The newly renovated American History Museum. We highly recommend!

Hands down the best Santa and elves I have ever seen. In fact, I'm convinced the elf below was real. 

The family that plays together...

With two boys and two girls, the kids mostly stick to their gender when playing. It's funny to watch the boys in their room building lego, and the girls in their room having a tea party or doing dress up.  But nothing makes me happier than seeing this gang all play together.

And when I recently asked who would set the table, Clara, I mean Belle, eagerly jumped up to complete the task. I thought she did a great job!

Afton's 5th

This girl really, really wanted a birthday party with friends. But here is a little fact about me and December birthdays: it is really, really hard to muster up the energy to throw a birthday party during the  holiday madness. So what did I do? I called in the family reinforcements, made up some cupcakes and a cake, and arranged to have everyone go see Frozen at the same time. Afton was in heaven, and for the millionth time, I thought how lucky we are to have grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins all living so close by. 

Afton in her birthday tutu and crown which was passed down by cousin Grace. 

Watching this little girl grow up is such a joy. The easiest way to sum up Afton is that she is enthusiastic about life. She is a happy, inquisitive little girl who loves passionately. We feel so blessed to have her in our family!

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree!

Thanksgiving seemed to be super late this year, which threw my holiday planning off. Since we typically get our tree the day after Thanksgiving, it took every ounce of my will power not to get our tree before Thanksgiving. BUT, continuing on with our tradition of going to the farm and cutting down our tree, we selected a real beaut! The only downside to the trip was that I made Sam take off his glasses for a picture (curse my vanity!) and somehow they dropped out of my coat pocket while we were walking to the car. The good news is that he has an old backup pair, and is up to get some new ones in a month. (Hooray for insurance!) 

Family Pictures 2013

Since Andrew loves family pictures so much, I decided to be an obliging wife and get them taken again this year! Thanks to my good friend Merry for taking them!

Clara turns 2

This child. The little red head who keeps me running and constantly on my feet. Clara gives a whole new meaning to the title "tiny tyrant", but oh man, is she cute. She is only saying a handful of words (which is growing daily), but some of her other accomplishments include precariously climbing on walls and ledges, attempting (and achieving) backyard breakouts, standing in toilets and giving herself a "bath" with the toilet water, and on one memorable occasion, brandishing a kitchen knife.  More impressively, these fetes were all achieved in 60 seconds or under. A mom needs to use the restroom occasionally you know! Perhaps my favorite "Claraism" is when she gets a hold of something she is not supposed to, and the moment I spot her, her hands start to tremble as she frantically try to finish her mischief. This might include dismantling a lego toy of her brother's, or attempting to open a piece of chocolate and shove it in her mouth before I reach her. She truly is capable of accomplishing great things. 

But for all of that, we wouldn't change one thing about this child who we all adore! She adds so much happiness to our family. Happy Birthday 2 year old!!! 

Halloween

Jango Fett, Luke, Leia, and Yoda

Because Andrew has indoctrinated them with Star Wars since birth.

Because a family themed costume may never happen ever again.

Because I seriously thought that Andrew would dress up as Chewie...or Darth at the very least.

School 2013-2014

Sam and Luke: grades 4 and 2

 Afton: preschool- 3 days a week

Clara: home All. Day. Long. 

We're settleing into the new norm!

Willis Family Reunion

Every two years we have a family reunion with Andrew's family. In years past we have gone to a resort in Wheeling, West Virginia (The "WV" part should dispel any notions that this is an upscale resort), but this year my bother-in-law and his wife decided to mix it up for us. So instead of heading to the hills of West Virginia, we retreated to the hills of Pennsylvania.

The place we stayed was a B&B farmhouse located right on a lake. There were actually two lodging houses, but with our large crowd we overtook the place. And let me just say, it was heaven. Aside from a lake stocked with row boats, there was a pool, a barn full of animals, a game house, a few cool off site attractions, and wonderful staff who cooked 3 delicious meals daily. You wanna see excitement? Ring a dinner bell around this crowd. And possibly the best attraction for me...no Wi-Fy. It was so nice to be able to unplug for a week!

It was a fantastic reunion at a venue that we would gladly go to again in 2 years!

Heading down to the coal mines.

What family does a service project during their family reunion? Our family!

Dinner Bell!!