{12 Dates of Christmas} Dates 11 & 12

11. Read the Night Before Christmas as a family on our 'Christmas Eve'.

12. Opened presents on 'Christmas', our last day home before our vacation. Beau was an excellent present opener and he enjoyed all of his gifts. I enjoyed my gift of a new camera lens and got to try it out while we opened presents. Thanks Travis!

Then Travis made pancakes for breakfast. I hope a new Christmas morning tradition!

{12 Dates of Christmas} Dates 9 & 10

9. We drove into DC to see the national Christmas tree. Too bad I had to pee and couldn't find a bathroom. So the hot chocolate I had prepared to drink to keep me warm outside had to wait to be consumed until the ride home when I wasn't doing anymore walking.

Speaking of walking, Beau wanted to walk around instead of cruise around in his stroller. I'm afraid we're getting to 'that age'.

10. Sat on Santa's lap. I was expecting Beau to put up a fight, even cry maybe, as I put him on St. Nick's lap. Instead he did his best to ignore him. He would not look Santa in the face to save his life! I'm glad he ignored him opposed to crying.

{12 Dates of Christmas} Date 8

8. Drove to the DC Temple to see their Christmas lights and nativity and had McDonald's for dinner.

{12 Dates of Christmas} Dates 6 & 7

6. Watched some Christmas movies in front of a fire. The only way to do it.

7. Made a gingerbread house. Our first try collapsed so we tried a different style. Beau liked putting a jelly bean on the house and then one in his mouth and on and on that went.

 Beau was pretty sad when it fell down. He had worked hard putting on all those jelly beans!

Beau got really good at saying 'house'. He also had to see it first thing in the morning and he had to have it right by him when he ate in his highchair.

{12 Dates of Christmas} Date 5

Beau and I made Christmas cookies together.

He ate the M&M's and watched me to make sure I was doing it right.

He had to watch all the flour go in.

And put in the M&M's.

Enjoying the fruits of his labor!

{12 Dates of Christmas} Date 4

4. We went to the botanical gardens here in D.C. where they have a train exhibit that they open just between Thanksgiving and Christmas. We wish it was open all year! I'm so glad that our friends told us about it because Beau is the perfect age right now to really get into it. Beau and I went with some friends and then we went again with Travis another week.

We took the metro which we call Daddy's choo choo because that's what he takes to work. Beau had never been on it before and that morning, while I was getting him ready, I told him we were going to ride Daddy's choo choo. His eyes literally got really wide and he started saying choo choo over and over. He couldn't be more excited. He was such a good boy on the metro!

Aren't these the cutest little boys!

It was hard to get a clear picture of Beau because he kept jumping and running around! He almost couldn't contain himself. He kept saying 'choo choo' and 'there it is' over and over!

Mary Jane was all wore out from watching those boys go crazy for the trains.

Travis was able to get off early one day and we met him there.

Beau kept wanting us to squat next to him to watch the trains. When we would stand back up, he would pull on our pant legs until we gave in.

{12 Dates of Christmas} Date 3

3. We found a spot to take our family pictures. I got to use my present that my parents gave me last year, a tripod. Now, if only I had a wireless remote. Our first try resulted in a bunch of pictures with my back to the camera as I was still trying to make it back in time. I shouldn't have worn heels. Travis said he would push the button next time, holding Beau and all, and after that we got some good ones. Luckily, we were by a busy street and all the cars passing by kept Beau looking towards the camera. I will have to remember that for future family photos!

We found a tractor in the parking lot by the spot where we took pictures. Beau enjoyed seeing a tractor up close and personal.

Merry Christmas!