Thursday, December 26, 2013

A Mid-December Trip to the Washington DC Temple and Williamsburg

We were able to take the boys and head out for a long weekend, Dec 12-15.  We decided to go down to Williamsburg, VA.  We had been to Williamsburg many times when our older children were young, but it has been over 10 years since our last visit.  
Since we were leaving after school on Thursday, we arrived in Washington DC just after dark and were able to stop at the temple visitor's center to see the Christmas lights.   Here are some of our photos from that evening.







The center also had some nativity displays inside.  Evan especially loved these.  Our photos do not really do them justice, but he wanted to take as many photos as possible.  

Peru

Uganda

United Kingdom

Japan

Poland

Germany

Germany

China

Germany

China

Georgia

(can't remember)

Malawi

Finland

Venezuela

Israel

Tonga
We really enjoyed the opportunity to stop and see these beautiful displays.

We now head to the blue part of this post.  Here's a brief explanation.  Steve gave me a new phone earlier in the month.  It has a nice camera so I thought I would give it a try.  I guess I must have put it on a weird setting which turned everything blue, because these are the photos we got.  I'm still trying to figure out exactly how to use it.  But anyway, since I am too lazy and really don't have the know how to try to make these photos appear normal, we will take a little Williamsburg tour in blue......

The dining room/ball room in the Governor's Palace

The boys behind the palace

One of the beautiful arbors - The gardens behind the palace were immense 
and so beautiful...even in the winter.

Thomas Jefferson himself.....well kind of.  He gave a wonderful speech at a little gathering place.  They have regular character appearances at certain places each day so that you can plan where you want to be at what time.


Evan crushing some corn to make cornmeal at the Powell House.  The boys and Steve also got to play the harpsichord in the house.

Uhh-oh, someone must have made a bad choice...
At the stocks outside the courthouse

Inside the magazine.....Evan loved this place!!

In the colonial gardens

Steve, Nate, and Evan standing on the Palace Green with the Governor's Palace behind them

A game of Mancala in one of the out buildings of the Wythe House

Rolling a hoop at the Powell House

At Bruton Parish Church - notice the family name on the monument

Steve in front of Bruton Parish Church

A family shot in downtown Williamsburg

In addition to seeing the shops, houses, Capitol, and characters, we also were able to have lunch at the King's Arms Tavern.  It was sooo delicious.  The second day we were there was very rainy from noon on so we were happy to get inside and enjoy the delicious food.

Also at Christmas, Williamsburg partners with neighboring Busch Gardens which decorates their park in millions of lights and creates a winter wonderland called Christmas Town.  We went there one night and enjoyed some musical productions, some food, and some beautiful scenery.  It was so fun.

One of the really beautiful things about going to Williamsburg around Christmastime, is that you get to see the amazing wreaths and garlands that each house has.  I took a lot of photos of the artwork, but there are a ton more.  Here is my little gallery - in blue, of course.  Notice how they use fruits, herbs, feathers, and vegetables in the arrangements.  I just loved the creativity!!




























We had such a good time.  We will have to go back again soon. 
Thanks, Williamsburg!!



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