Breakfast.
Dessert.
There were lots of appetizers and Brad's smoked BBQ in the midst of our day. Our house wasn't the place to be if you were trying to start any New Year's resolutions pertaining to weight. I have my glucose test in the morning for my pregnancy...just hoping the sugar wears off by then!
In DC at the Washington Monument.
At the National Christmas Tree
The WWII Memorial
Back to the White House...the progress on the inauguration platform...they were lifting 4 inch thick bullet proof glass while we were watching.
Inside the Pentagon...you're not allowed to take photos in the building except in this designated area of the lobby with two cheesy backgrounds shown below.
At the visitors center at Mount Vernon, the home of George and Martha Washington.
In front of a Gingerbread replica of the manor done by a former White House Chef. 
Whew...it's been a busy few days. I'm looking forward to relaxing in the New Year...at least until March!
Here's to the next 11 years, sweetie! They are never boring, that's for sure! Looking forward to the adventure.
I hope I never see this memorial enough that I grow callous and find it less emotional...today was extremely moving since there were a lot of Christmas presents that had been left at the benches of loved ones.
After a walk the Pentagon grounds we took the metro up to the White House. This is the Blair House at 1651 Pennsylvania Avenue, it is the official state guest house for the President of the United States...it was in the news recently because the Obama's requested residency in early January and their request was denied because the Bush family said it was already reserved.
Construction is underway in front of the White House for the inauguration. On the right in this picture is the platform where Obama will be sworn in and the structure on the left is being built for media coverage. Regardless of political affiliation it was neat to be in the midst of the preparations for a historical event.
Baileigh thought the White House looked small and that the National Tree wasn't that big either...compared to the tree in NYC. Geesh...tough crowd!
Baileigh's favorite was her Nintendo DS.
Brooke was happy and excited in general, but her Aquadoodle was a big hit.
The big family gift was a Wii and a lot of games and accessories.
Daddy got a Wii fit...this wasn't a hint, it was a request. I can't wait to see him trying Yoga!
Good old fashioned games were also popular this year with Mouse Trap, Operation and Connect Four.
Brooke got a piggy bank from Nana and spent the day filling it up with any coins she could find around the house.
We ended our day with a traditional ham dinner and a Wii game night. While it would be nice to live close to family and pile in the car and head to a grandparents house later in the day...there is also something nice about staying in pajamas all day and just relaxing as a family. Hope you had a Merry Christmas with your loved ones.
The Harbor area has a Gaylord Convention Center and several other nice hotels as well as a lot of shops and restaurants. It's a beautiful setting on the Potomac that looks across to DC and a few of the monuments in the distance.
There is an unusual sculpture in the marina...it essentially depicts a man buried under the sand who is trying to get out. The kids thought it was funny, the adults thought it was disturbing.
The main reason we headed to the marina was the fact that Santa and his reindeer do an annual water skiing show. There was also an appearance by the Grinch and Frosty on a wave runner.
The show...a little anti climatic, maybe I was just cold, but the girls thought it was fun.
The crowd in front of the Gaylord waiting on the show...there were several news trucks covering the show, including CNN (must be a slow news day).
We had a few hours at home for some down time and then went to church for a Christmas Eve service.
In front of "the flower tree" according to Mckenna.
We returned home for a late dinner and to open the official Christmas eve present. The girls are at the age where they don't seem to remember that they get pj's every Christmas eve...they genuinely seemed surprised!
The matching jammies.
They all ripped their clothes off and were ready for bed in record time!
I'm looking forward to tomorrow morning...all the girls are at such a great age and they are so excited. Here is wishing you a Merry Christmas!
