After the show, Gramma introduced us to a restaurant which is conveniently located just next door in an old Victorian house. We all enjoyed some traditional dishes at the Irish Inn and a delicious Guiness Brownie dessert.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
'Twas the Night Before Christmas
Last night, Gramma and Grandad joined us for a play at the Adventure Theater in Glen Echo, Maryland. This year's holiday performance was "Twas the Night Before Christmas". As always, the production was fabulous and the boys were completely entertained (as were the adults).
After the show, Gramma introduced us to a restaurant which is conveniently located just next door in an old Victorian house. We all enjoyed some traditional dishes at the Irish Inn and a delicious Guiness Brownie dessert.
After the show, Gramma introduced us to a restaurant which is conveniently located just next door in an old Victorian house. We all enjoyed some traditional dishes at the Irish Inn and a delicious Guiness Brownie dessert.
Master Decorators
Saturday morning, our decorating team was busy working on our Gingerbread House. I was Head Icer and the boys were Co-Captain Candy Creators. 
They boys were very into the decorating this year and other than licking their fingers a few times, I don't think they ate any candy. Great work Nathan and Andrew!
They boys were very into the decorating this year and other than licking their fingers a few times, I don't think they ate any candy. Great work Nathan and Andrew!
Merry Madagascar
Last Thursday, we left work just a little early to travel around the beltway to Madagascar, errrr, I mean Maryland, to the Gaylord for the annual ICE! event. This year's theme was Merry Madagascar and the temperature that evening (about 60+ degrees) seemed to fit the theme.
Despite the warm temperatures outside, we bundled up to head inside to see the beautiful and fun ice sculptures.
Despite the warm temperatures outside, we bundled up to head inside to see the beautiful and fun ice sculptures.
Friday, December 16, 2011
I Spy.....
Lucy in the pile of clean laundry. I would have preferred she folded it, but I guess she was just trying to keep it warm. Thanks for your help!
Happy Birthday Dan!
On December 11th, we celebrated Dan's birthday with a surprise birthday gift...... 
a brand new TV for our bedroom!!!
Bye, bye to my 1st TV, this little 13 inch Emerson TV that I got in 1992 when I left for college. I guess it was time for a new TV, but what to do with the old one? It still works.... any takers? I have the remote! :)
a brand new TV for our bedroom!!!
Bye, bye to my 1st TV, this little 13 inch Emerson TV that I got in 1992 when I left for college. I guess it was time for a new TV, but what to do with the old one? It still works.... any takers? I have the remote! :)
Just Some Fun Holiday Photos
In early December, Santa also visited all the kids at Discovery Station. Nathan does notice that Santa has looked quite a bit different at the various places we've seen him. And he will sometimes even say thinks like ... "that was not the real Santa, because he did not have on real boots". But this Santa, he sure looks like the real one, don't you think?
This week, Nathan had to complete a project for kindergarten. He had to decorate a gingerbread man any way he wanted. I was struggling for ideas (yes... I realize it was his assignment, but I would need to help provide supplies) and then Gramma and Grandad gave the boys an early Christmas gift which provided the inspiration. The gift was the book, "Gingerbread Pirates". Turned out pretty cute, don't you think?
This week, Nathan had to complete a project for kindergarten. He had to decorate a gingerbread man any way he wanted. I was struggling for ideas (yes... I realize it was his assignment, but I would need to help provide supplies) and then Gramma and Grandad gave the boys an early Christmas gift which provided the inspiration. The gift was the book, "Gingerbread Pirates". Turned out pretty cute, don't you think?
Celebrating Christmas with Co-Workers
Second stop on party night.... the Sotelo's home for the Vaughan, Fincher & Sotelo party. Santa was a busy guy that night..... as he also made a stop at this party and he was kind enough to wait for us to arrive.
Merry Christmas from all of us (and our spouses)! It is nice to work with such a great group of people!
Merry Christmas from all of us (and our spouses)! It is nice to work with such a great group of people!
Christmas Party at Andrew's Daycare
After jogging and riding a train, we rested for just a little and then got ready for some Christmas parties. First stop.... Andrew's daycare.
Each year, Lanka hosts a wonderful party for the families, both present and past. Here is Andrew with Calvin, one of his best buddies.
This year, Lanka added a new aspect to the evening.... a short performance by the older kids in the daycare (basically the 2 to 4 year olds). The kids performed three songs... singing and playing their instruments. It was absolutely PRECIOUS!
Andrew was quite good playing the sticks; he actually kept a good tempo. And here he is belting out "Ho Ho Ho" from "Up on the Rooftop".
Shortly after the performance, Santa arrived with gifts for all of the children (Dan and I estimated there were about 30 kids there).
It's hard to believe that this is the 6th year that we have attended to this party. We are so thankful to have found Lanka to take care of our boys while we are at work.
Each year, Lanka hosts a wonderful party for the families, both present and past. Here is Andrew with Calvin, one of his best buddies.
This year, Lanka added a new aspect to the evening.... a short performance by the older kids in the daycare (basically the 2 to 4 year olds). The kids performed three songs... singing and playing their instruments. It was absolutely PRECIOUS!Andrew was quite good playing the sticks; he actually kept a good tempo. And here he is belting out "Ho Ho Ho" from "Up on the Rooftop".
Shortly after the performance, Santa arrived with gifts for all of the children (Dan and I estimated there were about 30 kids there).
It's hard to believe that this is the 6th year that we have attended to this party. We are so thankful to have found Lanka to take care of our boys while we are at work.Choo Chooing with Santa
After the jog, we quickly changed clothes and headed to Manassas to meet our train.... the Santa Train.
The boys were alittle disappointed to not be able to ride on the 2nd level of the double decker train car. But it was a great place for the carolers to go and sing for us! Thank you VRE for organizing and hosting this event. Our boys love the opportunity to ride a real train!
The boys were alittle disappointed to not be able to ride on the 2nd level of the double decker train car. But it was a great place for the carolers to go and sing for us! Thank you VRE for organizing and hosting this event. Our boys love the opportunity to ride a real train!
It's the Jingle Bell.... Jog
Last weekend, I volunteered to help Liberty Elementary School with its first Jingle Bell Jog.
While I was inside helping, Dan and the boys got some exercise jogging around the track.
Andrew.... you are going the wrong way!!!
After burning some calories, everyone came inside to refuel with some donuts, bagels and cocoa.
While I was inside helping, Dan and the boys got some exercise jogging around the track.Andrew.... you are going the wrong way!!!
After burning some calories, everyone came inside to refuel with some donuts, bagels and cocoa.
A Living Nativity
On Saturday night, we bundled up and headed over to Southview Community Church in Herndon to celebrate the true meaning of this holiday season..... the birth of Jesus Christ. This church hosts a really special and unique Living Nativity that you walk through and can read the Christmas story as told in the bible.
And what Living Nativity wouldn't be complete without animals in the manger?
Thank you to the members of Southview Community Church for organizing and hosting such a wonderful event that allows us to focus on what this holiday is really all about.
And what Living Nativity wouldn't be complete without animals in the manger?
Thank you to the members of Southview Community Church for organizing and hosting such a wonderful event that allows us to focus on what this holiday is really all about.Running for Chocolate
On Friday, December 2nd, Dan and I took the day off from work to enjoy one of our newest annual holiday traditions.... shopping for Christmas together without any kids. We miss having a stroller handy to carry our packages, but we enjoy the time together and have found that it is a fun and productive way to dent the shopping list. But this year, we combined this tradition with another event, which may or may not become an annual tradition - the Hot Chocolate 15K race at the National Harbor.
Since we had to be at the National Harbor VERY early on Saturday morning for the race, we decided to cash is some points for a free stay at the Marriott Residence Inn (thanks Marriotts Rewards Visa!) and splurge on a delicious dinner at Grace's Mandarin restaurant.
Staying at the National Harbor turned out to be an EXCELLENT choice, as the traffic getting to the National Harbor in the morning was HORRENDOUS. Despite some significant logistical issues with the race itself, Dan and I had fun and completed the 15K (9.3 miles) in just over 1 hour 34 minutes. This was also a record distance for both of us! We celebrated our achievement with some chocolate fondue, then packed up and headed home. Thanks to my parents for helping with the boys so that Dan and I could enjoy this time together.
Since we had to be at the National Harbor VERY early on Saturday morning for the race, we decided to cash is some points for a free stay at the Marriott Residence Inn (thanks Marriotts Rewards Visa!) and splurge on a delicious dinner at Grace's Mandarin restaurant.
Staying at the National Harbor turned out to be an EXCELLENT choice, as the traffic getting to the National Harbor in the morning was HORRENDOUS. Despite some significant logistical issues with the race itself, Dan and I had fun and completed the 15K (9.3 miles) in just over 1 hour 34 minutes. This was also a record distance for both of us! We celebrated our achievement with some chocolate fondue, then packed up and headed home. Thanks to my parents for helping with the boys so that Dan and I could enjoy this time together.
Decorating Our Tree
Over Thanksgiving weekend, Dan set up the tree and Uncle Matt came over to help us decorate it.
The boys took their jobs very seriously this year and by the time we were finished, the bottom of the tree was extremely well covered.
The boys took their jobs very seriously this year and by the time we were finished, the bottom of the tree was extremely well covered.
Parade at Reston Town Center
While half of Northern Virginia was out shopping taking advantage of the Black Friday deals, the other half joined us at Reston Town Center for the Holiday Parade. How can you blame them.... it was a beautiful day for a parade.
And while it doesn't even compare to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, it was a ton of fun. We had a great morning listening, waving and watching the parade go by. I hope to make it to New York City one day to attend the Macy's parade. But until then, the parade at Reston Town Center will have to do.
And while it doesn't even compare to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, it was a ton of fun. We had a great morning listening, waving and watching the parade go by. I hope to make it to New York City one day to attend the Macy's parade. But until then, the parade at Reston Town Center will have to do.
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