DOVE FAMILY: January 2013

Welcome 2013!

Posted by Mary Grace (MGD) on Wednesday, January 2, 2013.

So at work this morning (January 2, 2013)- everyone wanted to know what is on my New Years Resolution list. Many were shocked that I don't come up with resolutions. Each New Year, I come up with my standard statement and do my best to live that way.

I tell myself that I am going to be a better person, be thankful for what I have, thankful for what I have achieved, thankful for my job, thankful my family, my health and my life. I will be forgiving and accepting for those things I can not change or have no control over. I will spend more time with my family and enjoy each day to its fullest no matter if its a good day, bad day, no matter if it brings hardships or heartache. I have grown up and matured a bit to understand that life is too short to worry about the little things and to enjoy and appreciate each day because we don't know how many more we have left.

May 2013 bring you good health, , prosperity that you can share

and much love and joy in your heart and around you.

Here is what we do with 1 inch of snow...

Posted by Mary Grace (MGD) on Tuesday, January 1, 2013.

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...PLAY!

The weather forecast called for 1-3 inches of snow this past Saturday. Well, thats all you had to say was snow and my kids were going crazy. Looking for hats, gloves, snow pants, boots. I mean really....it was a sight to see once they heard snow. That morning, the snow started to fall down and they were upstairs changing into their gear. There was hardly any snow, you could still see the roads, concrete and grass. It didn't matter to them- they were ready for the white stuff.

They were singing some kind of Christmas Carols. Our poor neighbors....

They were threatening to hit us with one of these....

And they went sled riding in about 1/2 in of snow

Snow Angels too...

Little Julia was hauling Matthew's butt around the backyard!

Love

Put your hands up Matthew! Look at that little girl pulling him!

The Year for the Redskins...Hail to the Redskins!

Posted by Mary Grace (MGD)

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Redskins were everywhere in the Dove household this year! We really want them to go to the Super Bowl...I mean really...well for my sake I hope they go to the Super Bowl because Dave is just over the top right now. I have a wonderful hubby that is just beside himself that they have made it to the playoffs and he has been so giddy about it!

Grammy didn't have a Redskins shirt- can you believe it? So the kids made sure she had one- especially since the Redskins are now in the playoffs!

Matthew received a McFarlane RG III figure and I'm not sure who was more excited...
Matthew or Dave?

My wonderful sister got me a cute Redskins hat!

And here he is.....the Redskins ultimate fan. Right here.....He also has the underwear, the pajama pants, sweatshirt, beanie, tshirt, beer mug....should I continue?

I failed to mention that Dave now also has a Redskins license plate....my oh my...

What a wonderful & blessed Christmas!

Posted by Mary Grace (MGD)

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Christmas in our new home was wonderful. The kids woke up bright and early and jumped on our bed until we went downstairs. They were surprised and excited to see what Santa had brought them both. After our early morning of opening gifts at home, we ventured out to my mom's house where all 6 grand kids got the star treatment of even more presents and the adults had our annual gift exchange. We had a nice brunch and just relaxed and had the kids play with some of their new toys for a little while. Then later that afternoon we piled in the car again and drove down to Calvert County to visit with Dave's mom, sister and her husband and his son. We had a nice family dinner and exchange presents with family.

We are very blessed to have such a wonderful family. I am thankful each day for everything that we have, our work, our family and our health.

Julia Christmas morning- tore into her stocking to find Snow Caps and more yummy treats!

Daniel & Dylan at my mom's house waiting patiently to open more gifts!

Yippee Presents!

Lola & Julia

Auntie Debbie and Julia checking out Julia's new boots!

Julia playing with her new dolls and camping set while the boys just looked on

Here we go!

Julia, Matthew, Grammy & Auntie Debbie

Lola & Her 6 grandkids!

All 6 kids sitting for a picture!

Matthew on Christmas morning!

They tore into the presents Christmas morning pretty quickly!

Look who paid us a visit....

Posted by Mary Grace (MGD)

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That Santa...I just don't know how he knows each year where we will be so he can stop by and check on the kids. All 6 grandkids were pleasantly surprised by his visit. Even Julia didn't scream and cry like she has done in the past. She didn't sit on his lap and she didn't talk to him but she stayed in the same room! Bikes, Easy Bake Oven, Clothes, Laptop, iPod, Cars and much much more...made it on the lists for Santa from the grandkids

Alex with Santa!

Matthew & Santa

Julia....and Santa with mom in the middle! This was much better than in years past. She was able to stay in the same room with him during his whole visit!

You are never too old to sit on Santa's lap!

So...you got an iPod in that bag of yours??

I know...look at her face!

Sweet Amaya with Santa Claus!

Gaylord National at the National Harbor

Posted by Mary Grace (MGD)

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FINALLY- David had a weekend that he wasn't on call and he didn't have to work. It was nice that it was right before Christmas too so we took took advantage of it and headed down to the National Harbor. I have been down there before for a conference however, Dave and the kids have never seen how big it was and I have never seen it for the holidays.

This place was so beautiful for the holidays. Along with doecrations, music, train rides, dancing fountains, an evening laser and light show, they also host ICE which each year is a different theme of sculptured ice and slides. This year's ICE show was Shrek and my two are not really into Shrek so we opted out of the ICE show. Since it was so cold out, we didn't do ICE this year so we just made our way to the Gaylord and checked out the sights.

It was bustling with visitors who were staying in the area and those who were just walking through to check out all the decorations and of course waiting for the laser, light show and dancing fountains. We had dinner at PIENZA all while watching the show. It was spectacular and we had such a great evening together as a family enjoying the holiday season. Next time when the weather isn't as frigid, I would love to walk around the streets of the National Harbor, check out the sights and of course take the kids closer to the water.

Outside of the Gaylord National in National Harbor

Beautiful Hotel & Conference Center!

The Woodrow Wilson Bridge and the Potomac River

The Dancing Fountains- this was a big hit with the kids and YES ...
many of them loved getting splashed on!

The train was a little small but very cute and always had a long line of kids.

The loves of my life!

They had a cute Ginger Bread making house....
a little expensive if you ask me so we made Gingerbread men and a house at home :)

As the night continued on -- bright twinkling lights started to appear throughout the hotel

Love!

The light show was just beginning! The kids soooo sooo want to stay here for one night next year so they can watch the show and "people" watch outside of the balcony looking over the tree and atrium.