Daddy's Home

Duane surprised us on Friday with a ring of the doorbell at 8am. We were supposed to pick him up at 5pm that evening. I hear Austin yell "DADDY!!!! It's a CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!!!" He'd rented a car, got a dozen donuts and was ready to play all Christmas holiday!! We're so glad when Daddy comes home!!!

First Snow of the Season!

Let is Snow, Let it Snow, Let it snow!
So December 16, 2010 was the first snow of the winter! Of course the kiddos got out of school and hour early and were sledding for a couple of hours. Yay! Now if I just didn't have to drive in it....

Ash's Preschool Christmas Program

"So come along with us on this Happy Birthday Jesus Christmas celebration! We'll sing of candy canes, jingle bells, and animals on a silent night...so long ago."
This was Ash's line she did a great job saying at her super cute preschool program. This is her last Christmas program in preschool and I must say I was a little sniffly. The kiddos performed and sang wonderful Christmas songs and then went into the big room to meet a visitor!!! Santa and Mrs. Claus and we ate delicious cake and punch. I love you Ash!

State Dept Christmas Party

Jeff Culver our dear friend, President of Diplomatic Security

The State Dept party was hosted by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and "In Style" Magazine. They had a CANDY BAR there, where you could fill up a bag of all the candy you wanted. Austin's manna from heaven!


Hillary Clinton giving good tidings to all the family members of unaccompanied spouses serving overseas.

Ashley's favorite part of the evening, the thick, delicious hot chocolate!!!



We look forward to these Christmas parties hosted by the State Dept each year. Love mingling with other ladies in the foreign service. By the way, the cookies are delicious-the famous "White House" sugar cookies. YUM. Was it very diplomatic of me to bring one home in my purse?

Christmas Piano Recital

This week I had my 11 piano students perform their beautiful Christmas songs. Way to go performers!!

My sweet piano student Langley Pado! We're getting ready for the Christmas recital.

My buddy Alix from Utah State. Their family just joined the Foreign Service and now live in No. VA! Yay!

Merrifield Garden Center's visit with Santa! He made the kids pinky promise they'd be nice to on another.

Santa Visit

We had a jovial Santa we visited this year! Austin being 8 and Ash 5 (we visited him on her birthday). Austin asked for a laptop and Santa in return asked Ausitn for a laptop. Ash asked for a Ken doll and Santa thought she said she wanted to read a Kindle. Poor Santa. Legos and Barbies are what's coming from the North Pole this year!

Ashley's 5th Birthday

Ashley turned 5 on December 6th! Her birthday began with Daddy skyping her that morning and she got to open her present from him--a special sparkly gel from Sephora that made her shimmer! Then a ChikfilA party with all of her buds. Gavin, Jack, Austin (a boy from school) and Coleman. And her only sweet little girlfriend Amanda. Definitely more boys than girls. She had a ball! Happy Birthday my princess!