The O'Hara Family: January 2013

Christmas Day

As is the tradition of Tim's family, the kids awaited the "all clear" from their Daddy at the top of the stairs.

In fact, Santa had visited 2912 Dartmouth the night before.

To say the least, the kids were pretty excited.

Even Aven had to shake herself at her good fortune.

The kids noticed that Santa had brought new stockings, with Rory arrayed in a red dress and Aven as the ballerina.

Rory got her wish, her very own McKenna doll, the famed gymnast from the American Girl's collection.

And Aven's wish also came true, with new dresses and a crib for her favorite doll, Baby.

Once we had opened gifts from Santa and Sarah's family, we made our way to Chelle and Allen's new home, to exchange gifts with Tim's family.

One of the highlights were the lightsabers from Uncle Allen, complete with an extensive set of rules (e.g., no body shots).

It really was a holiday season to remember, with generosity in abundance. For those who missed our Holiday card, I've included the featured pic here. May everyone have a wonderful 2013!

Christmas Eve 2012

As we have for several years, we hosted Tim's family on Christmas Eve for their tradition of a dinner composed entirely of hors d'oeuvres. The kids got to open a few of their gifts from Grandma.

They were delighted to find new pajamas were waiting for them inside the gift wrapping.

Here they are composing their letter to Santa Claus.

National Harbor 2012

We've ventured to National Harbor in past years to celebrate the holidays, but this year we added a new tradition: a sit-down with the big man himself.

We also decided to spent the night so that we can enjoy more of the festivities, including the lighting of the massive Christmas tree in the atrium of the Gaylord.

We took a ride on the train, watched snow fall from inside the atrium, listened to Christmas music, and ...

... visited the "ICE" exhibit again this year, which had a Shrek theme.

Here my fearless ladies prepare for their frigid adventure.

And here they are having donned their fur-lined expedition gear.

Mommy was not ashamed to declare her love for the ice slide.

Here comes Rory.

And here comes Aven.

Getting into the holiday spirit

Eventually, Fall turns to Winter, and our house lights up for the Christmas and Hanukka holidays.

This year, both Aven and Rory helped their parents decorate the Christmas tree, our biggest tree yet.

Our house was warm and cozy!

The lighting of the Menorah.

We got an extra special holiday gift when Sydney blew through town. She and Mommy then flew to California together as a birthday surprise for Nonna.

Both kids had Christmas pageants this year, with Rory playing the part of a pig in the hit production of the Gingerbread Boy.

And Aven sang a few carols with her class at St. Clement's Daycare.

Seattle in B&W

While we were in Seattle, Pops was taking a new B&W digital camera for a test drive. Pops shot all of these pics except for the very last one, which Rory took!

Sleepless in Seattle

Rory was only a few months old when we last visited Seattle, oh how times have changed.

Seattle, on the other hand, was as rainy as ever. In fairness, this was the first of my four trips to Seattle in which I saw any appreciable amount.

The rain just prompted us to move the fun indoors, with Aunt Sydney leading the charge.

Pops supplied his share of fun as well.

It was a testament to Aven's will power that we managed to get so many pieces of candy onto the gingerbread house instead of into her mouth.

Grandmothers in November

We enjoyed a visit from Grandma and Opa Paul in early November, and ...

... We spent Thanksgiving in Seattle with Nonna and Pops.

The Soccer Star and Ballerina

Rory enjoyed a fun season of soccer.

And Aven had a great time as a ballerina.

The soccer star and ballerina gave our Saturdays a nice rhythm this Fall, as their activities took us to the Del Rey neighborhood of Alexandria, where we also enjoyed the Farmer's Market and several fun restaurants.