The big, long Virginia & DC post...

Our trip was worthy of many, many posts, but knowing that I would not get around to giving all of them their due...they are being condensed into one big, long post. Sorry in advance for the numerous pictures.

Once we recuperated from our stressful flights, we were able to have a proper Christmas celebration. So what if it was already the 26th?

Sailor was pleased to see that Santa made sure all her gifts got delivered to Virginia.

He wondered where to begin?

We went with my parents to visit the Gaylord National Hotel in DC. They had a huge Christmas light and tree display. Honestly we didn't care what was inside because it was so incredibly cold & windy that night, that I just wanted inside regardless of what I got to see.

The giant hanging Christmas tree.

Doing our best to stay warm.

Sailor's one request during the trip was to go ice skating. Vanz was nice enough to take her twice.

Lots of other people had the same idea too.

Getting the hang of it..

We made several trips into DC, with kids and without. One of the days we took Sailor who thought riding the metro was a m a z i n g.

She thought it was really fun to stand up while the train was going.

Sitting with Daddy

But he got really tired..

So she switched to sitting by Mommy.

We went to the Smithsonian. Sailor was excited to see the actual ruby slippers from "The Wizard of Oz."

We also got to see the White House

and the Washington Monument

My future Democrat!

Vanz may have fielded a few questions in the press room (or not?)

Sailor insisted that she get a picture with the giant nutcrackers at the Old Ebbitt Grill.

My sister Emily picked us up from one of the Metro stops in DC near her house to eat at their favorite restaurant, Ravi Kabob. Vanz has not stopped talking about how much he loved his food. I think he misses that place the most of all. We were going to go back a second time, but Hobie went and got a fever and ruined it for us.

We paid a visit to Mt. Vernon with both the kids.

Did you know George Washington brought a camel to Mt. Vernon for Christmas? Neither did I.

Can you tell by Sailor's face that he smelled?

Pardon me?

Hanging out on Washington's porch enjoying the view.

Looking out on the Potomac.

Washington's final resting place..

Vanz really should have been a political science major. He loves politics. And he is the perfect Independent. He really follows both sides and there isn't a political show he doesn't watch. He was so excited to visit the Capitol. We went the day before the new Congress went into session so it was pretty quiet around the building and not a whole lot of people around. I know Vanz was really disappointed that he would not get to run into John Boehner (not really).

Listening intently to the docent.

Some of the amazing Capitol and Library of Congress architecture

There were so many other fun things we did that I didn't take photos of.

We ate a lot of really good meals. We had an amazing lunch and I had the best french toast of my life at Lightfoot restaurant. Vanz and I ate at Top Chef's Spike Mendelsohn's restaurant in DC . We shopped. We napped. We visited my Mom at work and took a tour of her building. We took walks in the trees and played in snow. And we played lots of Settlers. Some of us were a little better at it than others.

I think Hobie's favorite part of the trip was without a doubt his Aunt Emily, who he calls "Emme". He adored her. He still talks about her and asks to talk to her EVERY day. We all thought that was pretty amazing because Emily really likes animals, but not so much kids. Hobie didn't care. He loved her.

And so did Molly the dog.

We miss you family and VA/DC! Thanks for such a fun trip!