MLK Weekend

It's nice to have a long weekend so soon after the Christmas holidays.  We had a very productive three days, but also took some time to have little fun.  On Saturday we went for brunch in Arlington and then went to see On Your Feet at the Kennedy Center.  It was a GREAT show, far better than I expected. Simone decide that she liked it even more than American in Paris.

Checking out the theater.

After the show.  The musical ended with a confetti burst -- wouldn't want to be the clean up crew.

After the show Simone couldn't resist these music figurines in the gift shop, so she bought one with some of her Christmas money.  Her favorite was the white treble clef, which now resides in her room.   

And now it sounds like there is some snow in the forecast for this week, so we may have some snow days ahead.  We've already had 3 this year--sigh--could be a long winter.

Happy NEW YEAR and 2017 Wrap Up

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF OUR FAMILY and FRIENDS!!  Yes, indeed, we made it all the way past midnight to ring in 2018.

So, it's certainly been awhile since my last post.  But most of you know that the last few months of our 2017 were especially exciting for us--and very, very busy.  So a quick--ok, maybe not so quick-- recap before we launch into 2018!!

After a Thanksgiving weekend in PA with family, we moved into the Christmas holidays packed with fun.  First up was Simone's winter piano recital.  She played an excerpt from the Nutcracker and did a great job.   Way to go, Simone!

Simone and her piano teacher.

 The following weekend we had Simone's winter chorus concert and drama club show.

And then, before we knew it, we skipped across the pond for an amazing 2 weeks to celebrate the holidays European style.  We had a whirlwind tour of various Christmas markets in Copenhagen, Warsaw, Rudesheim & Mainz (Germany), and Strasbourg& Colmar (France), with a final stop in London on the way home.  It was our first ever holiday trip, and although we must confess that we missed some of our usual family Christmas traditions, it was an AMAZING experience -- one we'll never forget.

Our hotel lobby in Copenhagen.

The first of LOTS of delicious holiday treats!

Market in Warsaw.

Outside a cafe in Rudesheim with cousins.

Hotel in Colmar.

Gorgeous Strasbourg lights.

Santa gelato in Strasbourg.

A view of the market in Mainz.

Walking home after a lovely mass on Christmas Eve.  Yes, a full mass in German in a nearly 700 year old church.

With cousins on Christmas day.

At Christmas dinner.

Market in Rudesheim.

 The magnificent cathedral in Strasbourg -- a highlight of the trip for us.

Taking a walk in Eltville with cousins.

Market in Mainz.

Table for Christmas Eve dinner at Uncle Jim's.

Simone lost a tooth on Christmas Eve.  The Tooth Fairy and Santa on the same night!!!

Christmas morning.

Outside the restaurant for Christmas Day dinner.

After Christmas dinner with family.

Market in Wiesbaden, Germany.

Streets of London.

 Lots of London lights...

In Trafalgar Square.

It was so wonderful to spend such a long time together really taking in all the joys of Christmas in a new (and delicious) way.  It made an already special season truly exceptional.  With all travel, however, it's also wonderful to come home, which we did just in time for the new year.

We got back to some bitterly cold weather in Virginia, unpacked, and got ready to wrap up the year. The day after our return, we went to see a musical --An American in Paris-- at the Kennedy Center.   

Waiting for the show to begin.

And last but not least..

Our final event of 2017

a cozy dinner party at home with some dear friends to ring in the new year.

And tomorrow, we go back to work and school after a long winter break.  We'll be trying to keep warm as we plot some adventure for 2018!