Christmastime by the Water, in the Woods, and at the National Mall!

More from the holidays!

It was a full season and this post features some of our favorite memories from December.  The second weekend of the month, we went to the National Harbor for a picture with Santa, and rides on the Capitol Wheel and carousel.  Later that week, the girls and I rode down with my parents to another delicious lunch with the Miles family, and the day after that, we went into D.C. for our annual Old Ebbitt Grill meal and National Tree visit.

Starting by the water...

 Other than the green screen, it was a pretty sweet picture with Santa :)

In line for the Capitol Wheel

 Little lady with big glasses

 A ride on the wheeeeee-l

 Beautiful views and lots of sweet fun

 From the wheel to the tree...

 to the train...

 to the carousel!

 

It was one of the unusually warm December days which made for a long afternoon at the National Harbor and lots of special memories.

More Christmastime fun was had the Friday before Christmas at one of the coolest homes, on a beautiful property with woods, a barn, and lots of animals, owned by one of our favorite families, Steve & Mava Miles. Steve is my mom's cousin and this was our second year taking part in the beautiful luncheon they put together for their ridiculously cute and sweet college kids (Maelee's "BFF," Madie, and big brother Wil), Aunt Mae (Steve's mom and my Nanabug's sister), Randy (Steve's brother), plus my folks, Too-dad and Mary Catherine, and Tom & Viv.  While we missed our own Steve (he had a big conference call that couldn't be missed...), it was a very special afternoon filled with delicious food and sweet memories.

 Mava set up a beautiful table just for our little ladies and 

Madie was so sweet to sit with them!

 Lilee petting the kitty statue with Wil :)

The beautiful and incredibly talented chef, Mava, with the scrumptious pies!

Key lime and peanut butter.  Yum.

 No nap for this little gal but she had a great time!

 Especially with Belle, all dolled up and ready for rides!

Maelee was over the moon to go for a ride on this sweet pony!

Of course, Lilee had to have a turn, too.

 Meeting Remy, Madie's handsome horse.

 

  The girls were tickled at these adorable, and very generous gifts from the Miles family!

Made with love by Madie at the Build-a-Bear Workshop :)

 Four sweet kiddos

What a family.

Such a fun day! The next day, we went with my folks into D.C. to see the National Tree and enjoy a late lunch/early dinner at Old Ebbitt's Grill.  Once again, the girls had lots of giggles for Nana & Pop-Pop at the restaurant and especially liked the trains around the tree.

 

 That face!

 

Maelee's attempt to not blink...

Yummy food, fantastic company... this tradition is always a great time! Onto the tree!

  

 Little Missy not as content to be carried...

 

It was one of the more crowded and colder visits to D.C. this Christmas but still well worth it.  One of our favorite holiday memories. And there's more to come!

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