Making Gingerbread Houses

This year's gingerbread house contest was a success.

Tucker's paintings

Savannah's friends

sledding at the Gray's house with Priscilla, Lydia and Leisel, and Abigail with the Curds: Alice, Meela and Juju

Neighbors

Catherine and Savannah Tucker, Colin, Catherine, Savannah

A Christmas Carol at Ford's Theatre

We attended a live performance of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens at the Ford's Theatre this weekend. It was the first professional live performance that we have take the kids to.  Everyone really enjoyed the performance and having it in THE Ford's Theatre was really

The World Largest Radio Telescope, Green Bank Observatory, WV

Not far from our Airbnb in Monterey, is Green Bank, West Virginia -- home to the Green Bank Observatory.  The Green Bank Observatory is the world largest radio telescope.  It is nestled in the hills to block as much electromagnetic radiation as possible.  The area is designated as a National

Weekend Retreat in Monterey, VA

We wanted to get out of the city for the weekend, so we found an Air b&b near Monterey, VA.  Monterey is a small town (population 138) in the mountains near the Virginia and West Virginia border.  It is a beautiful area -- exactly what we were hoping

Crystal Peak, California

We went on an off-road adventure with Grandma and Grandpa Knight to Crystal Peak, outside of Verdi, in California. The kids are all into minerals and they each found great samples of clear quartz crystals. Looking for the birds. We saw quite of bit of quartz on one of the

Oxbow Nature Preserve

We spent our last time with Gene and Bea at the Oxbow Nature Preserve, taking one of the most colorful nature walks you can imagine.  It was gorgeous, especially considering this is in the middle of a desert.

Family Pictures and Beth and Norman's House

Uncle Norman and Aunt Beth's yard was so beautiful, we decided to take some family pictures in their driveway.  We didn't rearrange anything for these pictures.  It looked exactly this perfect when we arrived...

Trunk or Treat at the Church

The Church hosts a 'Trunk or Treat', where the kids can trick-or-treat at the decorated cars in the church parking lot.  It was nice and quick, and the kids had a great time. We didn't have room to bring costumes, so we used costumes from my

Corn Maze at the Andelin Farm

We went with Scott, Phil and their families and Gene and Bea to the Andelin Farm Corn Maze in Sparks, NV.  It was tougher than we had thought.  We tried to navigate it without a map for a while, but after seeing the some spots over and over, we realized

Savannah's Baptism

Savannah decided to be baptized and wanted to do it with family.  So we flew to Reno, NV where her Grandma and Grandpa Aksland, Grandma and Grandpa Knight, and Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins could be there to support her. It was a beautiful ceremony, which despite only being attended by

Riding Around With Grandpa in the Yard

It's pretty amazing when you have a yard that is large enough to ride around in a Polaris Ranger and Polaris Razor.  Grandpa Knight taught the kids how to drive.

Virginia City, NV Tour with Grandma and Grandpa

Virginia City, NV is always a fun places to visit as a family.  We started with the beautiful Catholic Church: Then took a historic guided train ride. Tucker really likes mining and minerals, so we want to take a tour of one of the mines from the 1800's.

Visit to Reno

We've been eagerly awaiting our trip to Reno, NV.  First on the list: See's Candies. To be topped off with a trip to Scheel's with Grandma Knight. And their play shooting range: Years ago, we took a picture with the kids in this exact

Trick or Treat

Tucker and Savannah went trick or treating with some neighbor friends last night.

Carson Wins Again

This morning: Carson: "Dad, I forgot, but I got an email earlier this week saying that I won a $100 gift card." Dad: "Sounds like a scam." Carson:  "I did complete a survey a few months ago." Dad: "Let's look at

RockCreek Family Retreat - Salamander Resort

RockCreek held a family retreat last weekend at the Salamander Resort in Middleburg, VA.  The Salamander Resort is an upscale hotel and resort on 340 scenic acres.  It hosts many equestrian and other unique outdoor experiences. Angela and Carson participated in the Falconry course.  It included an hour long class

Scout Campout

Carson, Tucker, and I went on a quick camping trip in Oakton, VA, in the Scout Leaders yard.  The kids prepared their own foil dinners with hamburger, carrots, and potatoes and cooked them over the fire.

savannah

Savannah's Birthday Party

Happy Birthday Savannah!  We celebrated with great friends and a delicious cake from Safeway. Savannah also received special 'Birthday Sushi' from the lady that prepares the Sushi at Safeway. Angela and Savannah have gotten to know her since we moved here and so she told Savannah that if

carson

Carson - DC Library Summary Reading Program Grand Prize Winner

Carson won the Grand Prize for the DC Library Summer Reading program.  Believe it or not, he won these great Beats Headphones.

Savannah's Birthday Dinner

Since she was little, Savannah has liked crab legs.  So she had to have them this year for her birthday dinner.  We made the mistake of mentioning that we were there for her birthday, so the waiters delivered her a treat while singing an obnoxiously loud happy birthday song.

Cub Scout Hike at the Gerry Connolly County Trial

Tucker and Keith went for a hike with the Cub Scouts on the Gerry Connolly County Trail in Fairfax.  Part of the trail runs behind our house, but we went a few miles from our house.  It always amazes me that these beautiful trails are so close to home. It

Martha's Table Service Project

Keith is the Den Leader for a Cub Scout group at church.  This week, our family helped out with a service project making sandwiches and granola for homeless in the area.  They have a food truck that delivers the food to the Homeless.  Everyone had a good time and was