Blog Rampage 4

2 January 2010 the Moreira clan (Burke and Alexandria contingents) visited the Washington DC LDS Temple and saw the "Festival of Lights."

It's a pretty big deal in Northern Virginia because 1.) everyone can see the Temple who drives north on I495, and 2.) the lights are incredible in person (and still pretty good by picture as well!)

From time to time the Visitor's Center has exhibits. During Christmas, they always show nativity scenes from different countries, which is pretty neat to get a cultural/ethnic flavor of Christmas from an international church.

Germany

China

The Netherlands

Ghana

Kenya

The United States. Because our Government is transparent?

The Temple from afar with Christus reflecting in the backround.

Us.

Nathaniel doesn't remember this part from the scriptures, but he is pretty sure it is not a sin to impersonate a "wise man."
The Blizzard of 2009 could not keep away the spirit of Christmas!

It was cold.
Really cold.

Next Up: The California Redwoods!

Blog Rampage 3

Thanksgiving week is a relaxing time around the Federal government. Everyone takes time off and most people who stay don't do anything (to be fair, I should say they do even less than normal).

Nathaniel took some time during work to capture some pictures from inside his building. Those these are not the best views in the building, they are views that he sees almost every day. Sometimes he sits back (or walks back, as it were) and reflects on the magnitude of it all. Other times, he just keeps walking towards the bathroom.

But you get the picture :)

This is the view from one of Nathaniel's co-workers windows looking to the left...

...and looking the other direction you see the National Air and Space Museum...

...and walking to the bathroom you see the Capitol building (no comments from the peanut gallery please)...

...and from a conference room where Nathaniel sometimes has meetings you can see the Washington monument! What a daily dose of D.C. Nathaniel gets every day!

Christmas morning Cristy decided to wake us up around 7 AM to open presents. For those of you who think we are "rich," please note that Nathaniel received his stocking candy in a snow boot. Also note that this was Nathaniel's best attempt at smiling--the less happy pictures were rejected due to lack of Christmas spirit.

Grandma Campbell's muffins are a yearly treat for the Burke Moreira family. Thanks Grandma Campbell (and all the Moms who passed this recipe on down the family tree!) Merry Belated Christmas!

Next up: The Washington DC Temple Festival of Lights with the Burke Moreiras!

Blog Rampage 2 (Below)

Long story short, we have a blog posted January 7th that you may have missed. Find it below!

Blog Rampage 2

So the blizzard of 2010 kind of delayed our "blog rampage," but now that Nathaniel is back at work and has lunch breaks, we should be looking at at least one every other day (until you start seeing snow in the blogs, then we're back on track).

Cristy and Nathaniel were the first from Grant's side of the family to visit little Hallie. She was a little over a week old when we arrived 20 November 2009.

Hallie got a cute little dress for Christmas (which I'm sure she no longer fits in :)

Cristy's smile says "I'm an aunt!" and Hallie's says "who is this new person?"

Nathaniel struggled to keep Hallie's little head upright...

...and Hallie struggled to figure out what Nathaniel's purpose in her life was.

Here Nathaniel learns how serious a new baby's sucker really is! Wow!

Cristy (ever so punctual) makes Liz a boppy for Christmas.

Go Cougars!

Cristy still needed to "test" the boppy with Hallie, just to make sure it worked properly.

When I see photos like this, I think babies wonder where they are and what they are doing.

OK so the lighting was off, but at least Grant stopped giving people bunny ears!

As soon as the visit ended Sunday morning :( the Moreiras traveled home and continued packing up their first apartment. Their move was only six days away! (Please notice the supplies in the background).

Cristy tried ever so desperately to look pregnant. She claims she is getting "fatter."

Nathaniel tries out some new furniture in the new apartment. He wanted to ensure that the shelves could hold a large amount of weight for a sustainable amount of time, so he rolled his fatness onto the lowest shelf, Unfortunuatly, Cristy was too fast with the camera.

The Blizzard of 2009 came on a Saturday (19 December) and blindsided the state. Little did we know the Blizzard of 2010 was right around the corner!

More ultrasound pics of the boy, Troy, who we did not name until a little later.

Next up: The view of DC from Nathaniel's work and a few pictures of Christmas morning.