Christmas vacation 2015 was wonderful. We drove down to Maryland in time
for Liza and Steve's famous Christmas Eve gathering, but before that we snuck in a showing of Star Wars while Bea and Miles saw Alvin and the Chipmunks next door with Lolo and Lola. Here's Bea in the lobby showing her enthusiasm for the next Kung Fu Panda movie:
and here's the family in Old Town Alexandria on Christmas Eve. So much fun!
We were able to attend a Filipino Simbang Gabi mass with my in-laws at their church on 12/23, which was a very beautiful event, and midnight (10:00) mass on Christmas Eve as well. Christmas morning and afternoon were lazy, present-opening hours with Lolo and Lola and the Dirksens, then at night we headed to cousin Ronnie's where I blew out candles on a cake and didn't take one photo!
On the 26th, we headed into DC to the Natural History Museum. Beatrice loved it! She is at the perfect age to enjoy the mammals and evolution exhibits:
She and Anthony went into the Butterfly Pavilion:
then we headed to the Hirschorn Gallery and saw some funky Modern Art:
B. does ultraviolet:
so does A:
At dusk we headed to the Obamas for the tree display. So beautiful!
and we found our CT tree!
That night we went to the light display at nearby Watkins Park and Lolo and Lola and we all enjoyed the funky glasses we got at Lowe's putting 3D santas, reindeer, and snowflakes around all the lights:
In between all the busy-ness, Bea and I got a couple books read, perhaps the highlight of any vacation to me:
Sunday we headed home but stopped in Philly for cousin Tina's holiday party:
Finally, we were back to home-sweet-home where, after unpacking and catching up with mail and groceries, Bea and I had a lazy morning sketching and reading at Victoria's Station. It had been far too long!
After a sleepover "Brodeur Christmas," New Year's Eve, and seeing the Fulcos on New Years, we caught up with Rachel on Saturday afternoon at the mall halfway between our homes. These two always make me smile:
And then we were off to meet BERNIE SANDERS in Worcester! These shots were taken while waiting in line outside, just moments before the senator shook my hand and asked "Who is this lovely young lady?" to Bea. She of course turned to me, so I answered and he said "Hello there Beatrice. Nice to meet you." Hopefully Bea can say one day that she spoke to the future President of the United States!
We only made it to the overflow room, but it didn't matter because we had our brush with fame!
Last but not least, here's a clip of one of several "talents" that Bea did for the Brodeur Christmas talent show. Her cartwheels have really improved! She also played "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" on the piano, and sang a solo version of "Joy to the World." My shy girl is not so shy about performing!
