Philadelphia

Tom has still had things to wrap up at work though we have got a lot of playing in.  He finished one afternoon so we decided to go spend the day in Philly.  Found a cheap hotel out by the airport then got up the next morning to go into the city.  The shuttle bus driver suggested we leave our car and take the train in.  It would be cheaper than paying for parking in the city and definitely more fun!  So he dropped us at the train stop and off we went.  It dropped us at the Reading Terminal Market where we wandered a bit and which was just up the street from Independence Square and the Liberty Bell.

We invested in a piece of chocolate covered bacon so we could at least say we had tried it.  NOT worth the $3.50

                                           Tom had me strike the pose on the street

 The last time we were here the kids were little, it was summer and there were tons of tourists.  It was so nice to just walk up to the bell and right into Independence Hall.

 I'm wishing I had read nothing but American History during our time in DC.  Too late now! But the history is really just a little overwhelming.  THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE and THE CONSTITUTION!  Ben Franklyn, George Washington (and his rented house up the street) and Jefferson.  Just sitting around in this building working on a couple of documents.  Mind blowing

 As we get ready to head home to Utah I'm looking for paint combinations.....I like this one.

                                    Happened onto the Betsy Ross house but didn't go through

 The shuttle driver also told us about this little alley that is the oldest neighborhood in America.  We HAD to go find it.

 How charming are these places?

 I'm also putting shutters up when we get home.....hence......

 So then, we came around the corner and found THIS place!

 Gorgeous!  And like stepping back in time!  1911 to be specific.

So we slip into this little back room and come upon this......they're making chocolate.  Like grinding it for hot chocolate and special teas.  WHAT?!!!

 So we watch him grind these beans down with a stone and I have a hot chocolate that is oUt Of tHIS WORLD!!!!

 Had to buy a little box of chocolates for Tom to take to his white elephant party.

 I just love it when serendipity allows you to find such a heavenly place.  We spent a good long while there chatting with the chocolate masters.

 Had to stop for a Cheesesteak.....

 ....and  check out the visitor's center  (Rocky and the Mummers)

 It was a great day and we had a relaxing ride back on the train before driving a little out of our way to see Valley Forge.  Took a quick drive through the grounds but they were getting ready to close it off.  Still gorgeous.

Feeling the Love Weekend

So I'm not sure how you could cram more fun into one weekend but somehow we managed to do plenty on this one.  Mauricio had finished up his schooling and was waiting for Olga and the kids to arrive from Columbia so we met him for dinner before they took off on their Christmas vacation. Loved looking at all the decorations downtown. 

 Saturday morning we got up early and went to Arlington Cemetery to help again with the laying of the wreaths.  Kathryn went with us.  We met up with the U of U Alumni group again this year.

 It's a lot of fun but mostly very moving to stop, say a prayer over the person and lay a wreath down for them.

 We left there and Nic and Tom headed to the Air and Space Museum and Kathryn and I came back to our place for a cup of tea before going to the small group Christmas party at Beth's house.

 She had a beautiful spread, mugs for us to decorate as well as cookies & cupcakes.  We played games, visited and had a blast!

Meanwhile, the guys were having a good time as well......

 Sunday was volunteer appreciation day at NCC.  They had the Holy Crepes truck parked behind the church where we could go order something yummy.  I went with savory (veggies) but they had Nutella, chocolate and banana as well.

 Inside the church offices we could sit and have hot cider or chocolate and we got to visit with a bunch of people.

 We each got a gift card to Ebeneezer's and Pastor Joel and Nina also gave us and the other leaders a $25 gift card to Amazon.

Sweet Min

 THEN!  Later that night, we went to the Wizards vs Jazz basketball game.  We had bought tickets already because we wanted to go but then they moved the church leader party from Joel and Nina's house to the game when someone offered them his company's suite!  So we went and enjoyed the company of the others in the suite, had some yummy food and got to introduce Nic to a bunch of our friends.

Yep, we're there...Me and Nic just down from the two people standing at the top.

SUITE ACTION.....and Tom with a full mouth.

Dinner at McCoys

 So Kim and Mitch had wanted to throw a dinner for us with Jorgensens and Clovers before we leave.  Of course, at the planning of said dinner we still thought we were leaving before Christmas!  So anyway, we keep having these awesome going away shindigs and here we sit.  Embarrassing!

 Look at that cake.  Seriously, how yummy does that look?  And it was just as delicious as it looks.....and had so much chocolate in it I couldn't sleep until 2 AM!

 Look at his darling reindeer made with Dylan's foot and hands.  Yeah, I may have been a little weepy.

 We had a blast and we love these people like family.