{Our FIRST Snow}

It came down for hours! I think it only ended up being 4-5 inches but we enjoyed it!

Oscar LOVED running around in it! 

Lucy had a blast playing in it! She made her first snow angel! 

Charlie wasn't so sure… he couldn't move at all in his snowsuit.

He kind of looked like a little space monkey, hehe :)

Daddy & Lucy both have red cheeks here, I love it! 

Snowflake in front of Mommy's face: Take 1

Sliding in the snow!

He came flying off and almost flew into the camera, but it was totally worth it to capture this face, haha!

Lucy decided to go down on her belly instead, thank goodness for ski bibs! 

Snowflake in front of Mommy's face: Take 2!

Too many good pictures not to include them all. We had a lot of fun with our first snow! 

The Day after St Nicolas' Day

So apparently our elf, Jeffy, thought that it was pretty cool that Saint Nicolas came and brought everyone a gift the day before. He decided to make today Jeffy's Day! Oh my, the gifts are piling up!

Saint Nicolas' Day

Saint Nic paid us a visit last night, and Lucy got her first play dough ever from him! 

She had a lot of fun playing with it and only tried to eat it a couple times… 

Base Christmas Tree Lighting

   

Blake left work a couple minutes early to come home and change and take us to the Tree Lighting Ceremony! They had cookies and coffee and hot cocoa. The local high school show choir sang carols while wearing their ugly Christmas sweaters.

Charlie loved to listen to the carols. He really loves music! 

How could I forget - they had warm pretzels too! 

We had to sit for about 10 minutes of "ceremony-talk",

then there was a beautiful prayer,

and a countdown to the tree lighting.

Lucy liked the countdown :)

 Then Santa arrived via Fire Truck.

Sirens, police escort, & all! 

(Reason #1 why Lucy says Santa Claus when she hears sirens)

 We waited in line for a long time to get a picture with Mr & Mrs Claus.

It got cold quick! 

Well here it is. The kids with Mr & Mrs Claus. 

 Mommy attempted to edit out the white tarp and dead grass, 

thats why it looks a little surreal! The kiddos did really well- 

Lucy was shy and Charlie kept smiling and staring at Mrs Claus! 

Merry Christmas, from Mr & Miss Claus!

Mr & Miss Claus

Lucy, as perfect as perfect can be! 

Handsome Charlie, chowing down on a tasty snowflake!

Merry Christmas!

{Charlie's Baptism}

Charlie had the unique opportunity to be Baptized at the Pentagon Chapel by Blake's Uncle Dan, who is the head Chaplain to the Joint Chiefs of Staff! We were so thrilled when Dad said he could Baptize Charlie for us because we have yet to find a church here in New Jersey that we like. Then he asked if we would mind having him Baptized at the Pentagon Chapel, as if we would say no!?! What an incredibly special day for Charlie! 

 Funny little boy- he wanted to eat the flower and was being super goofy about it! 

Charlie's Godfather, David, couldn't make it and neither could his Godmother, Celeste. 

 Sarah & Aunt Jaime were witnesses for his baptism. We are so thankful!  

 The Boys! Thank you so much Uncle Dan & Aunt Jaime & Sarah - for everything! 

 The Chapel was built in the spot where the plane impacted the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. 

It is beautiful and it is the best thing they could have done with that location. The memorial outside is breathtaking as well. I did have to hold back tears when walking down the hall that lead to the Chapel… it was lined with quilts from all over America. Beautiful handmade quilts. All red, white, and blue… with names on them… prayers on them… little children's drawings of angels….