December 2015 in Kensington, MD/Washington D.C. Temple Mission

Happy December!

Life-size nativity on the grounds of the Visitors' Center

The Christmas lights are amazingly beautiful.  We never tire of seeing them.

We bought one string of lights to put on our deck.  We have thoroughly enjoyed them.  And now we have given them away.

This little patch of beauty is part of my walk to the Post Office.

Reflection of the temple in the Visitors' Center pond.

One day after our shift we walked around the outside of the temple.  And enjoyed new views.

Our neighbor, Stephanie Payne, is writing their names on their cute snowman doormat.

And then she wrapped their door like a Christmas gift.  It has been fun to see it everyday.

 I was sad that I didn't have my "source" this year for my wreath/swag.  However, we did enjoy our pretty, fake wreath. 

Amy and Jefferson Chandler came to visit on their way home to Portland.  I love it that they will play games with me.  They even got Michael to play ONE game.

Amy could really shuffle those cards!

I'm not sure just what to say about this picture.

Here they are flatttening the air mattress.

It was a very fun visit.

They went with us to a Christmas party and sang carols.

Our friends, the Plummers, just before they went home to California.

This sweet card was attached to a bag of cookies (long gone) and presented to the missionaries by one of the local Activity Day Girls classes.

Our cute little Christmas tree.

One last night of Christmas shopping before leaving to go visit Brad.

Also, enjoying a sucker from See's Candies.

We went to dinner at one of Jeffrey's favorite African restaurants (Nandos).  As we walked in, the young hostess said, "Oh, you look so cute.  I can hardly wait to be old."  We decided to take it as a compliment; but we have had a good laugh about it several times as we have retold the story.

Christmas tree in Brad's kitchen/dining room.  So cute.

Christmas tree in Brad's living room.  Santa came!

Making the Christmas rolls.

'Testing' the Christmas rolls

Christmas Eve dinner.  And after dinner, we had a lovely Christmas program.

It's nice to know that our children are carrying on Family Traditions.

- eating out and shopping for books -

 And having Christmas Eve programs.

Ring around the moon on Christmas Eve.

AND

Merry Christmas from Brad.

Merry Christmas from Modjeskis.  This book is wonderful for the Christmas Eve Program.  Notice the scarves around my neck, too.  And a beautiful Greg Olsen puzzle "Precious in His Sight". 

AND...Vikki is coming to see us in February!  Thank you, Stephen.

 Wonderful homemade birthday cards from the Wayne family PLUS a GC to my favorite candy store.

Large magnet family photos.  Hanging on our apartment door.

The yearly much-anticipated calendar.

Saying "Merry Christmas" to our wonderful children.

Doesn't everyone wear pearls (from the Modjeskis) and a sweatshirt with their pajamas?!

These were such cute candies.

(very thoughtful, Vikki)

Merry Christmas to Brad and Andy - adorable, super-soft blankies with little "Gypsies" on them.

If it's edible, Gypsy loves it; if it's a toy, forget it!

Preparing for hors d'oeuvres night.

Exhausted - just too much fun.

However, it was lovely to rest and relax for a few days.

We went looking at lights.  Brad knew all the best places to find them.

Brad has the most amazing aquarium.  It is so relaxing to just sit and watch the pretty fish.

One of the fish had babies - and one survived!  That is quite uncommon!

We love going to church with Brad.

Sunday dinner, using Brad's new fancy crock Pot.

That Sunday after Christmas was 70 degrees!

So, we went to the beach for the afternoon.

(notice the flip flops)

It was such a beautiful day and a beautiful beach.

We had a great time together.

So cute!

We're back in Maryland now, after a wonderful Christmas in Blacksburg.

My friend, Scharlott Ennis, and I went to the Visitors' Center to attend a concert and to look at an entire room filled with Nativity Scenes.  Then we walked around the grounds enjoying the lights and the beauty.

Life-size Nativity.

Picture of the temple, taken from inside the Visitors' Center.  If you look closely, you will see the Christus reflection in the center.

We also saw our friends, the Gardners.

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Out to dinner with our friends and neighbors, the Andersons.  We laughed a lot and had a great time.

A birthday party for our friend, Arletta Myers - a New Year's baby.

One of the visiting grandchildren, dancing for all of us homesick-for-our-dancing granddaughters.  We all loved it - and so did she!

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Some of my West Linn Book Club friends.

Our good friend, Virgil, as he helps Wayne get rid of the stack of wood at the side of our house - which fell and knocked over the fence!  Thanks, Virgil, Wayne and Jay!


My sister, Sandie, celebrating Christmas Eve with her family.

No truer words were ever spoken!  Love you, Sissy.


Dale, freezing, but happy (as always).


Elder Hayden Cannon, skyping with his family on Christmas Day.  Oh, does he ever look happy!


Abbey, worn out from Christmas festivities - with a new dolly.


Wayne and family


Britttany and Jay


Heidi thinks that maybe she should leave the Christmas music out all year long.


Sweet, sweet, sweet


Time to lock her away, Mom and Dad!


I wonder what he is thinking about?


Dinner and...




book shopping.


Max is making sure that his letter to Santa is indeed in this Santa Mail box.




A beautiful Oregon park.  I'm excited to go there.


Getting too big.

Is it just the worst to have a sick child?

Vikki and Jay

Sweet picture of cousins, Cooper and Max.

It's always fun until somebody gets hurt!

I love it when I get pictures of my children.

And their children.

I have truly enjoyed and loved the pictures of families this last month.

One of my goals was to make a 'temple afghan' while on our  mission.
I finished this on New Year's Eve.

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I feel I would be really remiss if I didn't talk a little bit about our wonderful opportunity of serving in the Lord's House, here in Washington DC.  We are so blessed to be serving in this beautiful place together in this amazing environment with so many wonderful people.  We have had some incredible experiences and have seen such delightful things in our nation's capital.  It is hard to believe that we have been here for over a year.

We love you all!

Remember who you are!

Lots of love and hugs from

Elder and Sister Cannon in Washington DC