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!

Happy Halloween!

Just a few quick pictures from last night's Halloween fun.  We shared a great family night with some wonderful friends.  After dinner at our house, the kids hit the street for trick or treating.   We had some really beautiful weather, and considering it was a school night, the neighborhood was pretty ambitious with its decorations, parties, and general festivities.  We definitely had a record turnout of kids!

Simone and Chase pre-trick or treat poses.

And the gang returns home with all their loot...

So much fun!! 

Finally Fall

At long last, it is really starting to feel like fall here. And one of our favorite fall traditions is Spooky Bingo at Simone's school.  We have been going each year since Simone started first grade, and though we've never actually won the bingo, it's a fun night nonetheless.  Each year she picks her costume -- this year she insisted on a toy soldier.

This year's 5th grade Simone (and her last Spooky Bingo) ...

...with her school principal.

And throwback to 2013...

1st grade Simone with daddy at her first bingo.

Our original bingo daubers that we've been using since our very first Spooky Bingo.

The last number of the night!

We made a pretty good bingo team, even if we didn't win.

Playing with a friend during clean up.

A pose on the bingo stage.

Sorry Simone, no luck tonight!

After bingo, we went straight to Noku Sushi for a late night snack.  Simone's favorite...

Today we had a brilliant autumn day exploring a little bit of our very own Loudoun County.  We headed over to Purcellville to enjoy lunch and check out their downtown.

Had lunch on the outdoor patio at Magnolia's. 

This station is at the very very end of the W&OD trail which we've biked parts of several times.  We've yet to bike all the way to the end but we will soon!

 Virginia wine country is such a lovely place anytime of year, but especially on a clear sunny autumn day with the colorful foliage.

Couldn't miss the tea store downtown.  Yes, we of course, bought more tea!

And finally, a shot of the stunning sky as the sun set on our perfect day.  

A Belated Birthday Party

This past weekend we road tripped up to PA to celebrate Simone's birthday with her cousins, per her request.   We combined a few of her favorite activities to construct a day full of birthday fun.

We began with a birthday lunch at a Japanese restaurant called Kome.  All the kids loved the hibachi and Simone, of course, couldn't resist the sushi.

Holding her newest second cousin, Emmy, at the restaurant.

Believe it or not, as often as we eat Japanese food, this was Simone's very first hibachi meal.

Special birthday dessert, compliments of Kome.

 Next up, we organized a birthday scavenger hunt at the local outdoor mall.  The girls had a BLAST with this.  Simone loves, loves, loves scavenger hunts and doing one with her cousins was icing on the proverbial (birthday) cake.

After the scavenger hunt, we headed back to her aunt's house for cake and gifts with the whole family.  

A very fun and successful celebration, indeed! A special day for our special little--that's right, I still get to say little-- girl!!

Birthday Number TEN

Ok everyone... it's about to get real.  Today Simone turned 10 years old!  I won't lie -- I'm having a tough time with this one.  It gets harder every day to think of her as a little kid anymore.  I'm not sure how we got to this point so fast, but I suppose we have a decade of some pretty awesome memories to show for it.

She has asked to have her birthday celebration up in PA at a future point, but tonight we marked the occasion of her actual birthday with a surprise dinner and ice cream with a few of her close friends.  They had such a good time, and as I watched and listened to their little tween conversation as they sat and at blizzards at DQ, I couldn't help but think of just how very few years of such sweet outings remain.  No fear, we will make the most of them all!!

At birthday dinner.  The girls unanimously decided on Thai.

A quick pose near the pumpkins after dinner. 

Ice cream for dessert!

End of the night selfie.

The last two shots are from yesterday when mommy and Simone went for an after school snack and then dessert to celebrate her very last day of being 9 years old.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SIMONE!! 

Mommy and daddy love you more than you will ever know!

(hang on tight for the next decade!)