Inauguration Weekend...

What an amazing weekend! Friday after daddy got home from work, we packed up the car and started our drive East.  We made it as far as Morgantown, WV that night.  After a restful night at the Marriott on the campus of the University of West Virginia, and a yummy breakfast, we drove the rest of the way to our friends in Northern Virginia. The girls were absolutely thrilled to see their old friends!

The girls and Ame'lie...

Sunday morning we went to Mass on base at Ft. Belvoir with our friends before heading downtown.  We picked up our tickets to the Inauguration from Senator Brown's office, then did some sight seeing on the National Mall.  We were able to see a practice run-through of the bands and speakers for the ceremony on Monday.  We also went to the U.S. Botanic Gardens...always one of the girls' favorites. 

Got our tickets!

Look at these DC chicks...

Love them...

Listening to the bands...

 

 

So excited!

 

Botanic Gardens beauties...

 

 

 

Sunday night we went to the Army Navy Country Club for dinner...and BINGO!!!  We actually had tons of fun...gorgeous scenery, great friends, good food, and even a couple of bingo wins! 

The girls...

Bingo!

Dark and early Monday morning (we are talking 4:30AM), we were up and dressed and ready to drive to the Metro station.  It wasn't as crowded at the Metro as we had thought.  Having the tickets to the access gates that we had let us get a lot closer, but we were still standing room only.  Oh well, we could hear everything!  It was amazing to be able to take our girls to our Nation's Capital on such a historical day, and be part of an American tradition!!!  The girls were real troopers, and our hosts were the BEST!  And best of all, it was a lot warmer than it was four years ago.

On the Metro...

Bundled up and ready to be part of history...

Our slightly obstructed view...

Logan was not impressed ;)

Waiting for President Barack Obama...

The 44th President of the United States (somewhere under that red arch)...

 

So thankful to be present for the Oath of Office...

The girls thought they would walk in the parade ;)

 

 

This girl was asleep by the time we got on the Beltway to go home...

Cheer...

Logan has enjoyed cheering with her friends from school for the boys in her class.  Even though they haven't won a game this season, it has been fun!  Most of the girls on our squad are cheering for the first time, but they've all done really well!  We had another home game today...might be our last...so I wanted to get some group shots.

 The girls...

Girls and boys...

Go Irish!!!

We are so excited (and extremely nervous) for the BCS National Championship game tonight! Go Irish!!!  Not sure I will let the girls stay up that late though...

Carsyn's Epiphany Party...

Carsyn's class had their Epiphany party today at school.  Since I already had practice with Maren's hair...I think Carsyn's turned out better.  Oh well, they both looked cute and were pleased with the stars :)

Carsyn's...

Side-by-side comparison...

Just Another Saturday...

Logan had cheer this morning, and another game tomorrow.  Barry has drill this weekend.  And, we went to Mass tonight.  Yep...we are pretty boring ;)

Maren's Epiphany Party...

 Maren's class had their Epiphany party at school today.  She wanted fancy hair for the occasion...I tried :) She had fun and was happy with the results.

Maren's "star" hair...

 Maren and Lauren...

Back to School...

The girls went back to school this morning.  It was pretty cold, and no fun getting up...but, we definitely had a fantastic Christmas Break!!!

Happy New Year!

We had a pretty laid back New Year's Eve.  We all went over to our friends house in our pajamas to eat, drink, and play a little Euchre.  That's right...Euchre!  It had been a long time, but I must say I still have it ;) The girls had a great time playing and dancing till midnight!  Happy New Year!

Maren...

 

The kiddos...

The girls...

3, 2, 1...

Happy New Year!

A Little More Christmas...

We have really been relaxing this Christmas break (well, ever since we returned home from Disney).  We went to Mass yesterday, and today we went down to Cincinnati to visit with my aunt and uncle, cousins, and grandma before she leaves for South America.  Go Bears!

The girls before Mass...

The girls and Great-Grandma T...

Cousins...

Merry Christmas!

We are having a very Merry Christmas, and hope you are too!  Yesterday we went to Mass and then opened presents from each other.  This morning the girls were thrilled with everything Santa had left them...apparently he hasn't been paying close attention to their behavior, because they got way too much!  But we love them, and are so thankful to spend another Christmas together!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours...

The girls ready for Christmas Eve Mass...

Christmas morning...