Art + Christmas

"The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls" Pablo Picasso

There is no doubt that the DC offers an explosion of culture wherever one goes.  This week, for the kids it was the Hirschhorn Museum at the Smithsonian. This has become my favorite museum because modern art is (easy for me to look at, and...) always offering the observer something fun! We went to Ai Wei Wei's exhibit. Wei Wei, a Chinese contemporary artist, is an open critic of China's stance on government and democracy...which makes his art very interesting and powerful...and pretty easy to explain to the kids. They had fun trying to guess the meaning behind big bowls of "rice"  made out of fresh water pearls, and Han Dynasty pots with Coca-cola painted on them.  Sawyer liked the "naked sad man" in the hirschhorn the most and couldn't stop giggling and peeking about.

Steve and I celebrated our 9th anniversary with Thai food (and the kids)...and have decided that we probably need to find a babysitter soon. We miss having an abundance of teenagers in our daily lives. 

We also celebrated our smallest Christmas yet. Our friends Britta and Pax (fellow Washingtonians) came over for a northwest Christmas Eve. The next morning the kids opened their gifts from us, grandparents, aunts and uncles, Santa, and friends...which made a for a busy (and messy) morning. Natalie got her ukelele she has been dreaming of, and Sawyer opened his many packages of Lego Hero Factory packs.  Steve got his first scarf, so he finally fits in in the city..and I got my Lululemon gift card so I can fit in in the gym.  Later in the day we headed down to the National Christmas tree to see the Washington State tree and the pathway of peace.  It was an easy and fun day.

Hi, guess what I can see?  The Washington Monument from my bedroom window!

I miss you all. But I'm still having fun. love, Natalie.


Here are some pictures to share our memories:

Someone couldn't stop giggling.

Hirschhorn Musuem

Even Ai Wei Wei likes bikes!

Natalie FINALLY got to visit the capitol building.

Typical metro ride.

They couldn't be happier getting school pics of Sam and Nate Laas! 

Natalie collecting $ for the "Homelas" in our living room. She collected over $7!

Our makeshift chimney for Santa.

9 years!

Christmas Day at the National Christmas Tree.

Two happy Washingtonian kids after finding the Washington State Tree at the White House.

The liked eachother's gifts this year! Pink stuffed pig for Sawyer...an H&M gift card for Natalie.

A Ukelele FINALLY! 

Thanks, Aunt Jenny! This was his "dream toy!".

Sawyer's new leather badass coat! Just in time for kindergarden!

Mom finished another scarf.  Cozy kids in DC.