Friday, January 15, 2010

Another East Coast Adventure: Longwood Gardens

The DuPont family has left a legacy of beautiful museums, estates and hospitals in the Delaware Valley area. Longwood Gardens is one of our favorites, especially at Christmas and so we loved to get back out there and see the lights and displays.
My camera is not fancy enough (nor am I) to figure out how to capture the lights well but the grounds were covered with lights and give Temple Square in Salt Lake some competition!
The greenhouses had fabulous displays! I love these ornamental cabbages!
I love the natural decorations and the cyclamen!
We are on a search for these lanterns that were hanging in the rose greenhouse!
Taylor reaching out for the treesAmazing wreath with a variation of poinsettas
The conservatory has amazing displays in the open areas

The red is all potted plants
The ballroom in the conservatory is amazing - and has a gorgeous pipe organ that they hold concerts and caroling sing-a-longs in during the season.
Grandmom and the grandkids!
These silver branches and blue peacock feathers were stunning!
The fountain show is amazing year round. The summer is gorgeous too as you can imagine and they even have outdoor theater on a stage in front of the fountains. We need to head back in the summer for another visit!

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas....

Our white Christmas in Delaware was fun but very cold! John took advantage of teaching Taylor the art of snowman making. I taught her my favorite - snow angels! We borrowed snow pants & coats and boots from good friends so she was ready!




What do you think? Pretty cute (though we started to call it a snow rat...)Taylor thought it looked good enough to eat so she had to lick it !
Taylor and her cousin, Nathan, hanging in all this white stuff!
Our masterpiece on my parent's front lawn!My parents have a fabulous park on the other side of the woods behind their house. We bundled up to enjoy the paths and John even found a new business idea!

East Coast Holiday Adventures

Heading back east for Christmas after a couple of years was a real treat for us and we packed it in! Luckily we flew the day after the big storm that hit the whole coast and only had an hour delay in our flight (while others were stranded for days). So we got to enjoy the white Christmas snow without being stuck! We headed south from Philly/Delaware to visit friends & family in the DC area, the place I call home (still!).Taylor & my dear friend, Julie! So fun to catch up with her and her family!



A wonderful family home evening & dinner at Uncle Keith & Aunt Carol's house, a favorite tradition that I don't usually get to attend. Here we are posing with my sister, Squish and my very talented and creative cousin, Chelle.



Uncle Keith always has a program and Taylor decided to help lead the music.My aunt's tree is always fun to soak in and adore - it contains much of her doll collection over the years and gorgeous antique and glass ornaments - such a treasure! Luckily Taylor did not touch or break anything, she left that to her 5 year old cousin, William (luckily it was just a "basic" glass ball that broke!).I love this picture of my Mom & I with Taylor in front of my Aunt's gorgeous tree (except that my mom's crown fell out that morning! As soon as I figure out my photoshop program I got for Christmas, I'll fix it, Mom!)

Daddy & Taylor saying good night after a great party!

Friday, January 1, 2010

Friday, December 18, 2009

Enjoying the Christmas Season

We love Kisses!
Our first snow here in Houston in a long time!!!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

A Bit of the Christmas Spirit

Check out these links - true reminders of the Christmas spirit


How we love this tender time of the year where we all are a bit more selfless and thoughtful and happy and hopeful.

And here is a shot of our sweet Taylor & Jordan:

And Johnathan is doing great in the Dominican Republic, loving the people and the work. Life is sweet, and even more so at this time of year.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Kicking off the Season In Houston

As our Thanksgiving weekend wrapped up, we headed downtown to enjoy some of the festivities and the first Art Car parade at night. Here are a few shots of our crazy city.
Discovery Green is a new park downtown - check out these cool globes hanging from the trees!
And they have ice skating through the season!

And some interesting art

Christmas Tree Skirt Alternatives

A cute addition to one's wardrobe except being a bit drafty in the back - unless you wear it like a poncho!







Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Thankful for the Great Weather!

A perk of living in Houston is gorgeous weather for Thanksgiving weekend. So that meant fun times at the park in our neighborhood.
She is getting so big!

Kisses!
Jordan's nerdy look with John's glasses on

John still has it!

Happy Birthday Jordan!


We are so thankful for Jordan and were thrilled that his birthday was over the Thanksgiving holiday so we actually got to celebrate his birthday with him! We had a fun surprise party at the house the night he flew in. It was so great to have him home!
Chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter icing or mint icing - (from the Mitt Romneys brownies) - you choose!
Taylor loved his balloons and carried them with her all over the house!