Beginning the Season at Macy's!

Getting the family into the holiday spirit by checking out Macy's Thanksgiving and Christmas displays. According to Macy's Christmas spirit-o-meter, Katie is nice, Wife is merry, Elizabeth is jolly, and Husband is ho-hum.

Believe?

Apparently, it's Christmas time in the city. Our first visit to Holiday Lane at Macy's in Herald Square in 2016, and the girls wrote letters to Santa. Katie's letter said, "Santa if you're real you've got to prove it."

Trademark Expo

On our way to the Smithsonian we were stopped by some people handing out fliers.  The New Yorker in me kept on walking but thankfully Husband listened to what they had to say.  Across the street they were having a trademark expo and there were supposed to be some great activities and information.  We decided to make a quick stop and the girls were so glad they did.  They received so many free goodies.  Thankfully their manners were in full force that day and I think because they were so thankful and appreciative when someone gave them something, they usually ended up getting extra.  Here were are posing with the Idaho Spud!

Jefferson and Washington Monument

Lincoln Memorial

Cousins are the best!

This is so Elizabeth!  A princess dress with some army gear on the side! 

My cousin.  We hadn't been together since we were kids!

My Aunt - (My mom's sister). 

Tree climbing in the suburbs

We aren't in the city anymore, kids!  Katie explained to all of us that we live in the city, which is an urban community.  They live in the suburbs.  However, given all the trees and nature, Katie began to wonder if the suburbs are more rural.  Elizabeth just wanted to play in dirt!

Washington, DC

Husband had a symposium with some high ranking official from the IRS, Treasury Dept. and DOL to discuss various policy issues and some upcoming legal changes in Washington DC.   The girls and I decided to join him for a couple days and take in the sites as well as see some family.  Katie really appreciated the sites since she is starting to learn about history and presidents, etc.   Elizabeth didn't understand why she could just go into the White House and say hi to Obama.   We all loved visiting with my aunt, cousin and her two children.  The girls haven't stopped talking about their cousins since. Katie is really beginning to get into History.  I have say that it makes this history nerd quite happy!

View from our hotel room

Teaching the girls about Civic Duty

We performed our civic duty and voted.  No, the girls didn't vote, but the election worker pitied them for standing in line for an hour and gave them stickers.  To quote Elizabeth "Mommy, that line was longer than Disneyland!"  We had to teach them the importance of voting.  In fact, they have accompanied us in voting for every election since birth.  I remember the first time I wore Katie because she was just a baby.  If I recall correctly, she decided it was time to eat right about the time I was trying to fill in the ballot.  Good times!

Family Photos

All that sun and play made everyone hungry!

BFFs- I have known this lady for over 20 years now!

Riding the waves with Daddy.

Katie had a blast riding the boogey board.  It is amazing how quickly she caught on for her first time.  Maybe she has some surfer girl in her after all!

No wonder I am still finding sand on the girls!

Playing in Sand at Moonlight Beach

Moonlight Beach

Our last day in San Diego was spent at Moonlight Beach.  I cannot even begin to count the memories I have of this beach.  I have had more bonfires, more volleyball games, built more sandcastles and played in the waves more here than anywhere else.  It was surreal to come back and watch the girls play here.  It was so wonderful spending the morning with my best friend and her family. 

Chocolate Shake for Breakfast?

So the girls were really excited because they saw someone order chocolate milk the day before.  I told them that since we were on vacation that this morning they could get chocolate milk instead of regular milk.  Hmmmm.  Well somehow there was a language barrier and instead of chocolate milk they were delivered two HUGE chocolate milk SHAKES!   Ice cream for breakfast?  It is vacation after-all! 

The AMAZING Paint the Night Parade