Our Christmas 2008

We had a quiet, but nice Christmas this year. Paula and Isabella came to do the annual Christmas Whitehouse tour. This will be the last year, since Ron will be moving on to other positions this coming year. Jacob came home for a couple of weeks from his AIT (Advanced Individual Training) at Ft. Gordon. I think he has been doing some decompressing (That means allot of sleeping). Phillip and Paula came up on Christmas afternoon and we loved watching Isabella open a few presents. The following morning Phillp and family left bright and early (5:00am) to head to Conneticut. As they buckled Izzy into her car seat, She opened her eyes, looked at the house, waved her hand, and said "Bye Bye Paca". What a cutie she is.

Isabella and Paula came to the White House Staff open house with us this year. It is always fun to be allowed to take in the cameras. The theme this year was "A Red, White, and Blue Christmas".
Izzy decided that smiling was going to be limited this visit. Coaxing smiles out of her was the challenge.

The live flowers are always pretty. This is the Red Room.
The red, white and blue theme was very cool.

See, there's a great smile.

Izzy and Gma looked very pretty together.

Cute little girl!

Nice view, huh?

Izzy's fun-meter had pegged shortly before this picture. We had to break out some peanuts to get her back.

Three pretty ladies.

Izzy loves smelling the flowers.

Gpa got to show her around (and show her off).

Winter at the White House.

Jake doing his best to feign surprise and excitement for his Mom and Dad.

Gpa does like new shoes, (even if they're just like the ones he already has).

Tex loves getting his Christmas stuffed animal. The squeeker lasted about 2 or 3 minutes.

Tank takes up his usual overwatch position, in the middle of the floor.

Tex is insanely intense.

Mom with her big baby. (He really is a sweetheart, albeit a big, clumsy, messy, sloppy one.)

"I heard there was going to be ham and stuffing; well...."

Izzy got a new purse from Gma.

She was starting to figure out the whole present thing pretty well.

She did love the shopping cart and the food!

Izzy and Paca (that's what she calls him).

Fox and Tex have decided mixed martial arts is their thing.

"Why can't I come in there? What, that old chew up the toys thing? Just let go of it Mom."

King of his domain (at least in his own mind).

She's been shopping with her baby.

"I'm so cute, aren't I?"