Great Pop's Christmas Village

A very special Gleason family Christmas tradition

is Great Pop's Christmas village!

It's absolutely gorgeous -

and you would be hard pressed to find a more creative craftsman

than my grandfather!

Kate was absolutely mesmerized when we took her to see it...

and so was I!

A Very Merry Christmas Afternoon in NoVA!

Our Christmas afternoon spent with the NoVA Gleasons was very merry indeed!

Kate enjoyed opening more presents!

And Great Pop lovingly assembled more toys!

I love this picture of cousins Erika and Lee!

Quality play time with Great Pop!

Rock Band provided awesome family entertainment!

My very sweet (but very tired) family

at the end of our glorious Christmas celebrations!

Magical Christmas Morning!

Christmas morning was magical!

Kate had so much fun opening her presents and

playing with all her new toys!

Christmas Eve

We spent a wonderful Christmas Eve with Grandma and Grandpa George!

After attending a Christmas Eve service,

we enjoyed a yummy meal followed by birthday cake for Jesus

(a Gleason family tradition).

After Kate was all nestled and snug in her bed,

Tim and I got started on the toy assembly projects!

National Harbor

We started off our holiday weekend with a Christmas Eve play date at National Harbor.

The Christmas decorations at the Gaylord hotel were gorgeous -

Kate and Justin had a blast watching the water fountain show

and running around in wide open (and warm!) space!

Fun times with great friends...

what could be a better start to the holiday???

Kate & Two Miss Daisies Visit Santa

Enough said.

Downs Family Gathering

Sadly, Tim's grandmother passed away last week.

We were very sad to lose her and

found comfort in gathering with the Downs family for the funeral this weekend.

It was very special to get to see Rebecca with all 9 of her siblings and their spouses...

and we got to see Uncle Ted and many of Tim's cousins as well.

We are thankful for the loving family that is Grandma Downs' legacy!