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...

Happiest Place on Earth...

We just had one of these best trips to Disney World...EVER!  While this trip had been planned and discussed well in advance, we left out one small detail to the girls...our friends were going with us.  They were so surprised, confused, and super excited when we got to our gate and saw them already there.  It was so fun!  We knew it was going to be happy vacation when the girls even had a great time on the plane and the Disney bus to the hotel. 

What?! No First Class seats?!

We stayed at the new Art of Animation Resort, with rooms right next door.  It was perfect for us...a private bedroom with its own bathroom, a living area with two pull-out beds, a kitchenette, and a second bathroom.  Sunday morning we got ready for our first day.  We decided to start at Magic Kingdom...it's a classic!  

Our hotel...

Let's go!

Happiest Place on Earth...

 

Main Street, USA...

 

 

Thunder Mountain...

Space Mountain first-timers...

 

After we had our fill of the Magic Kingdom, we headed over to Hollywood Studios.  We wanted to ride Toy Story Mania.  We also took the big girls (Logan, Lilli, and Carsyn) on Rockin' Roller Coaster.  So fun!

Hollywood Studios...

On Monday we started out our day at Hollywood Studios so the girls could see Beauty and the Beast (we were hoping to see their dance teacher's son who is in the cast).  I also took Carsyn and Logan on the Tower of Terror.  Afterward we went to Epcot.  Daddy, Drew, and Tony went fishing, and Kirstin and Lilli hung back at the room.  Daddy met us in Mexico for lunch...empanadas were delicious!  A little later Kirstin and Lilli found us.  We had so much fun walking around World Showcase, getting pictures with the characters, and riding Soarin'! 

Maren...

Carsyn...

Logan...

Love them...

Just the girls...

Epcot at night...

Tuesday morning we started the day at Animal Kingdom.  We went on the Safari ride and Expedition Everest before going to Dinoland and the Festival of the Lion King.  The big girls LOVED Expedition Everest, and Maren got picked for the parade during the Lion King...so fun!

Tree of life...

Expedition Everest...

Maren stole the show...

We went back to our hotel rooms after Animal Kingdom to rest a bit and change for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom.  We were so excited.  I had been waiting all day for the free cookies, cocoa, and cider!  The kids got to meet Merida from Brave, and we got to ride any ride we wanted with practically NO waiting!  And it snowed!

All ready for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party...

Family photo...

 

Matching Merida...

Dumbo!

 

Tired, but ready for the parade...

Wednesday was our last day at the parks.  We decided to start at Hollywood Studios (so we could make Drew ride the Rockin' Roller Coaster) and ride Toy Story again.  We had so much fun!

Cute girls...

Rock'n'roll...

After Hollywood Studios we took a boat ride over to Epcot.  We ate fish'n'chips for lunch, got pictures with some characters, and rode Soarin' again!  Oh, and we also saw Santa!  We ended the night in Germany eating dinner at the Biergarten.  It was so fun...all you can eat buffet and watching the girls dance the Polka!  Great end to a great trip.

Santa and Mrs. Claus...

Eeyore...NOT impressed...

 

 

Guten tag...

On our last day, we checked out of our rooms and went to Downtown Disney.  We were all bummed to be leaving!  The truly was one of our best Disney trips ever!  We are so glad that our friends came and shared the experience!

We heart Disney!