Christmas in the Capital

 We spent a day in Washington, DC with friends, checking out some new places and a favorite, the Temple. We stopped there first on Friday night to see the grounds and life-size nativity scene and to listen to the narration as we tried to recite along with it from Luke. We love this time to celebrate Christ's birth as we think of how he came to the Earth in such humble circumstances.

Inside the the visitor center we sat for a few minutes to watch a video presentation on missionaries. I hope the kids know how hard we're working to prepare them for the opportunity in the future. We opted out of waiting in line for the creche display and we were too late for the handbell concert that evening. There is so much to do there in that small area.

On the way out we found the perfect tree for A--it was just as sparkly as her favorite t-shirt which she had worn for the occasion.

As always the temple stood in its normal light. There are no fancy decorations there which is at it should be. It is always this luminous.

 That night we arrived late at the H family's awesome rowhouse in southeastern DC. We enjoyed delicious food, I got a haircut, the kids played on their rings, the grown-ups chatted for long hours, and then we headed to the National Mall.

Note to self: don't feed the seagulls for a multitude of reasons. Little boys with chips to throw love them but everyone else despises the gulls' presence.

 All along a visit to the National Tree was our goal. Cut down in the Colville National Forest, just about an hour from Dan's home in Eastern Washington, this tree travelled a long way (and drinks 33 gallons of water a day) to have its place here in front of the Capitol.

 We admired the hundreds of ornaments created by children for this tree. Our favorites were made out of tin cans, plastic spoons, vinyl records, paper plates, and pie tins.

Next we made our first trip to the US Botanical Gardens. It is simply so beautiful inside. When A walked through the door she threw her arms wide and proclaimed: "This is my heart! This is my life!" I knew she was my daughter because I was similarly overwhelmed by the beauty. It smells good. The misty air feels good. Everywhere you look some beautiful plant form is growing up, pushing it's way out towards the walkways. It's hard not to reach out and touch everything. 

This is J thinking of his grandmas who both grew up in sunny California surrounded by oranges at this time of year.

At Christmas the Garden Court is roughly set up like the Mall, with miniatures of the Supreme Court on one end, the Washington Monument in the middle, and the Lincoln Memorial on the opposite end, with the White House and the Jefferson Memorial also on display. These miniature replicas are made of natural materials: acorn tops, seeds, willow, pine needles, and bark.

Most popular at this time of the year in the Gardens is the train display which is constructed uniquely each year. I didn't get any awesome shots of the entire train display to give you an adequate sense of scale, but I was equally impressed by the miniatures in that room, surrounded by the tracks with a running train. While the younger visitors watched the train run along their path, the older visitors marveled at the Worlds Fair themed display, featuring pavilions and structures from past worlds fairs, all made out of plant materials. 

 We walked through the rest of the individual spaces of the gardens. It's amazing that so much is enclosed in that area. As usual with our kids we did the speed version of a visit. I think we saw everything (that was open) in fifteen minutes. Note to self: spring and summer are natural times for my return trip, because there will be a return trip. 

I handed over the camera to J to get some shots of what he saw.

Our third stop was to the National Arboretum, also a place we will go again to see the bonsai and hike the trails and stroll through the herb garden. But in the winter (and especially on a warm day in the winter) the old Capitol Building columns are a great destination. Two hundred years ago when the Capitol was burned they saved the foundation stones and columns and transported them here. The person who came up with that idea is a genius.

 It's a perfect spot to play hide . . .

 . . . and seek!

 Before leaving we set out on a little walk in the woods, which was good for everyone's soul. We climbed on logs, found frogs, and stretched our legs for just a little more exercise. No one came out muddy which was a surprise.

The only bad part about these visits is that they end. 

It's a good thing we already have the H family on our calendar for a visit again. What would our life be without old friends like them? I don't even want to consider that notion.