Another busy week ushers in 2006

The holidays themselves are quiet, but in between, we seem to go, go, go!

We all enjoyed a quiet, rainy Christmas at home. We all enjoyed good presents, and Bert made us a great dinner. The next day, we picked Ann Marie up early at the airport, and she stayed the next 3 days with us. We saw the Holiday displays at the Capitol and the National Botanical Garden, we saw the bonsai trees at the National Arboretum, we spent one day at the American Indian museum, we went to the movies and we did a little shopping/exchanging. Packed a lot in 3 days, and dropped her off again early the morning of the 29th back at the airport! And, we would have done more, but it was pretty cold for sightseeing. On the 29th, Rachel had arranged for us to visit the White House and see the holiday decorations. My first visit inside the White House, and it was very nice! I really enjoyed it. We met a very nice secret service man who knew tons about the house, and was thrilled to talk to us about our questions, so that was great. He was a Washington state native, of course! We came away with new ideas for our christmas tree next year, because our favorite tree was the one covered with white lights and fresh white lilies! Very nice, and smells good too. Friday Rachel and I got off work early, so we found a little time to look at wedding and bridesmaid dresses. Still haven't found "the one"! New Years Eve, the kids went out to a party, but Bert and I enjoyed a nice dinner and quiet evening at home. We deserved it after the busy week! Cleaned up the house, and put the christmas decorations away. Isn't it true that we love to decorate for the holidays, but the house never feels as clean and tidy as when the decorations get put away! Sunday we went up to stay at a lodge in the West Virginia mountains to go sledding. Too bad when we got there the snow wasn't thick enough to sled! then it started raining Monday morning, to add insult to injury, but we had a nice getaway, and a short hike in the rain to see the waterfalls the park is named for. It was just like a hike in the Northwest!