Christmas

Christmas Eve and Christmas morning were nice this year. David's parents spent the night so they could be here bright and early when the girls woke up. 

We dressed up for the Nativity on Christmas eve, opened presents in the morning, and had a nice breakfast with homemade cinnamon rolls. 

We spent the rest of the day playing with gifts and some of us rested. 

December Highlights

December is always a fun month. This year it felt especially festive and not rushed at all. 

We went to the Old Town Manassas Christmas parade. It was really long and cold and crowded so we didn't make it to the end to see the Santa float. 

We also decorated, made cookies, wrote Christmas cards, attended the Ward Christmas party, and had a gift exchange with friends. 

Baby #3

Over Thanksgiving, we let all our family and friends know we were expecting baby #3 on June 12, 2013. 

We are so excited. The picture below is from the 20-week sonogram. We are waiting until the baby is born to find out if it's a boy or a girl. It's been fun to wait and think about welcoming a new little person into our home. 

November Highlights

Sophie got her hair cut. She always looks so adorable with the bow and short hair. The girls always think she looks just like a little puppy when she's freshly groomed. 

Dinner out. We like to go to Ledo's pizza, Chipotle, Noodles, or Cafe Rio with the girls.

Friends and Rice Krispies and lots of leaves. 

Lake House

For the past several years, we have gone to a lake house just outside of Charlottesville with David's parent's for Thanksgiving. His parent's neighbor's own it, and have graciously offered it to us for the holiday. 

It's so relaxing. There is no Internet or cable. We read, nap, play games, watch movies and are in bed by 10 p.m. every night. We've enjoyed the tradition and time away from busy life.

Halloween

Halloween is an exciting night at our house. 

Not only do the girls get to dress up and get candy, they also get to stay up until 8 o'clock! It's one of the only nights all year that they get to stay up past their bedtime. Early bedtime is a steady ritual at our house that won't be changing anytime soon.  

Leah dressed up as Rapunzel and Sarah was Dorothy. 

Lisa came out to celebrate with us. She took the girls to a few houses and then handed out candy and held Sophie back from the door. David and I took them around to a few more of the neighbor's houses, and then  the girls decided they would rather hand out candy. 

They finished the night admiring all the other costumes and generously handing out candy.

Leah's Art

Leah started drawing people in October. The biggest one in the bottom picture if Mom. I'm not sure why I'm always the biggest...

I love them.

Cox Farms

David's work has a family event each year at Cox Farms, and it's always a great time. 

Leah insisted on doing the ropes course this year that ended with swinging on a rope swing at the end. She was uncharacteristically brave and loved it!

Horseback Riding Birthday Bash

For David's birthday we used a gift certificate for horseback riding at Marriott Ranch from our neighbor. It was nice to get out and doing something different. 

Afterwards, we enjoyed ice cream cake and presents with the girls and his parents.