Christmas in Virginia

Since we spent Christmas in Colorado, we had our own little mini Christmas in Virginia before we left.   Paige made a chain to count down the days until Christmas.  She really struggled with the idea of just doing one link per day, so on the day we did our VA Christmas we just let her go wild and rip the rest of it.

Opening presents.  Paige was so serious about it.

Jake got me a new Nook!  I was so excited.  I was happy with the one I had, but this one (the new touch screen) is WAY cooler.  Jake's the best.

All Work with Some Play

Right now I'm working on a project with the National Air and Space Museum. A few times a month I go to the museum to collect data. Of course since I have the most awesome job in the world, I get to see some cool things too.

These are some pictures taken at the Udvar-Hazy museum. This is a Cessna plane that I got to sit in.

Best job ever.

Gringerbread Houses

Our friend Emily has an awesome tradition of making gingerbread houses each year.  This year we got together to make the gingerbread houses while the boys were toiling away at their law school exams.  

Paige was so intent on putting candies onto the house... at least until she discovered how delicious candies are.  Then she was QUITE intent on eating the candies.  

Christen, Emily, and Michelle.  These girls are the BEST.

Paige posing with our creation:

Thanksgiving

I made a turkey!  Growing up I loved helping my mom make the turkey (I love basting turkeys while they cook!).  This year we invited some friends over for dinner and I made a turkey (obviously I'm pretty proud about that turkey).

Paige liked to see the turkey cooking through the oven door.  I had to leave the oven light on for most of the day while it cooked because Paige kept asking to see it.  For months afterward she kept saying "the turkey's in the oven!"

Halloween

We didn't do a whole lot for Halloween, but we looked good doing it! 

Our costumes.  Daddy was a pirate, Paige was his parrot, and I was the box of treasure.  

We're posing here with Gabbi (Little Red Riding Hood).

Here's our cute little parrot: 

Wearing your other costume (our cute little lady bug):

Paige, Alex, and Henry hanging out in Halloween shirts.

Cohen & Cohen Mock Trial

This semester Jake competed in the Cohen & Cohen Mock Trial competition. Basically, he was given a scenario, and had to prepare his case and take it to court. Here's a picture of him, being all lawery in the GW moot court room:

He did really well in the competition! He advanced all the way to the finals. His team ended up not winning, but he was still a finalist so he got to do the last round in front of a real judge. I got to see most of the competition because I played the part of one of the witnesses (each team had to prepare and call two witnesses). I was so impressed by Jake's skills and am so proud of him for doing so well!

Homestead Farm

When went to Homestead Farm again this year to check out the pumpkins.  Here is cute little Paige sitting on the pumpkins. 

It was tricky to get her to pose on the pumpkins, but I managed to get one shot!

We also saw some animals (what's a farm trip without animals?).

Abby, Henry, Paige

Gabbi, Abby, Alex, Paige, and Henry

What's in here?

We also went out and picked some apples.  

Paige and Henry hanging out together:

Paige insisted on carrying the bag.

So darn cute!!

LOVE this little girl.