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Christmas Break Highlights

1. Outings with the family. I just love that there is so much to do in DC around Christmastime. We went and saw Christmas lights, drove to D.C. to see the National Christmas Tree which in Jenn's opinion was in a word "underwhelming," went after Christmas shopping and got some incredible deals like a pair of heels that was originally $80 for $23, drove up to the DC Temple to see the lights where I ran into my good friend Anna who's serving as a missionary there, and went to the National Harbor to see the gorgeous Christmas decorations and explore the harbor and all of the cute shops.






2. Christmas lights with the Buhlers. It's become a yearly tradition to go on a Christmasy outing with our good friends the Buhlers over break. This year, we went out to dinner at Cici's, and definitely became the most exciting table in the restaurant. We seem to attract a lot of attention when our two families go out in public together! Then we went to see the drive through lights at Bull Run. Amy and I swapped cars with Spencer and Kenna and had a blast catching up with Brody and Keary and looking at the lights with Cole and Ethan while sending snapchat videos back and forth with the kids in the other crazy car!

3. Christmas Eve and Christmas. I absolutely love Christmas Eve. I actually almost love it more than Christmas day. My mom and aunts and Grandma always prepare a delicious dinner. My sisters and cousins and I repay them by putting on a little Christmas Eve program followed by some caroling in the house and then to a few of Grandma and Grandpa's neighbors who always send us back to Grandma's with some treats in tow. There's nothing like having the whole family together to get in the spirit of Christmas! We then spent Christmas day exchanging presents, enjoying a delicious breakfast Mom made, Skyping with Matthew, and relaxing and Grandma and Grandpa's house!




4. Skyping with Matthew. Technology is great. On Christmas Day, we got to hook up Amy's computer to the T.V. in Grandma and Grandpa's living room and got to talk to Elder Frederickson for an hour! It was so fun to hear all of his stories! As an added bonus, we found out today that he got transferred to London, where I'll be for study abroad in 3 and a half months. No big deal or anything.,.

5. Visit from the Shipps. It's always a good time when the Kansas cousins come to town and the whole crazy bunch is together! We went jogging/hiking in Great Falls Park, had a rockin' New Years' Eve that consisted of Chinese food, The Office, confetti, and four bottles of Martinelli's sparkling cider, and enjoyed a chocolate tour in Georgetown.
 Chocolate Tour of Georgetown! 




We watched this guy kayak down a waterfall at Great Falls Park and were so impressed that we had to ask him for a picture! 

I  feel so blessed to have such a loving, fun, and supportive family to come home to! Christmas break was amazing. It could not have been more perfect!

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