Mormon Temple

On Christmas Eve Tuf and I went to a 4pm Christmas Eve Service and then on our way home we went to the Mormon Temple. It is hard to believe this is our 3rd year going to this. Such a beautiful display.

The BSU Tree!!!!

Idaho Christmas Tree

On Friday, December 23, Tuf met me at work and we walked around DC for some holiday cheer. First we walked over to the Holiday Market. I was only able to go there 3 times this year :( and this was Tuf's only time. After the Holiday Market we stopped in for a warm beverage at Starbucks before we walked over to City Center. Outside of Starbucks was Bao Bao the giant panda cub from the Zoo

Next we walked through the very beautiful City Center.

Then we walked the mile over to the Capitol to see the Idaho tree! It has been 13 years since Idaho had a tree on the the front lawn of the US Capitol, so I have to soak it in, because I probably won't be in this area for the next Idaho tree. And on this night it wasn't raining so we were able to enjoy the tree.

Capitol Christmas Tree - IDAHO!

This year the Capitol Christmas tree, aka the People's Christmas Tree came from the best state in the union - IDAHO! The tress is an Engelmann Spruce from the Payette National Forest. So blessed that while I am in DC that an Idaho tree is here! The last time a tree came from Idaho was 13 years ago. So, hopefully the next time a tree comes to DC from Idaho, I will be back in Idaho :) 

On Monday, December 5, Monika and I went to the Christmas tree Reception hosted by REI. The event was at the Wunder Garten. We had a lovely evening chatting with a couple who works for the Parks Service from Vermont.

The decor was Idaho potatoes - I thought it was actually a very clever idea.

On Tuesday, December 6, we went to the U.S. Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony. A brief history of the U.S. Capitol Tree - the U.S. Capitol Tree dates back to 1964 when the Architect of the Capitol, J. George Stewart at the suggestion of the House, John W. McCormack, established the yearly tradition of decorating a tree on the West Front Lawn. Since 1970, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service has provided the tree.

Love the tree in front of the beautiful U.S. Capitol! You can not tell from this photo, but it was raining and not a light drizzle but at times a downpour. The program was short with Paul Ryan, the U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives hosted the event including the lighting of the tree with the help of Isabella Gerard, a 5th grader from Boise who won a contest with her poem about Idaho.

Monika and I trying not to drown.

Monika and I were suppose to go to an event after the lighting, but with all the rain, we were done - so we walked to Union Station to get on the metro to head home.