The Capitol

Monuments

BFFs

Holocaust Museum

Our Trip to Washington, D.C.

We hit the road before Christmas and took in the sights and sounds of our nation’s capitol city.  Here is a list of the things we did and saw with accompanying pictures.  Trip. Of. A. Lifetime.

Friday:  National Air and Space Museum, Bureau of Printing and Engraving, Holocaust Museum, Lincoln Memorial

Saturday:  Tour of the Capitol Building, Portrait Gallery, LDS Temple, Washington Monument

Sunday:  American History Museum, National Archives to see Declarartion of Independence, Constitution and The Bill of Rights, Georgetown, Jefferson Memorial

Monday:  Natural History Museum, Supreme Court and Gaylord Ice Festival  

Gingerbread Houses

I tried yet again to make homemade gingerbread houses.   Why, oh why, can't I get it right? It is the most wonderful smelling creation  in the world and it is so yummy. It feels so "pioneer"ish. They are fun and  they stay intact until the royal icing fails to hold it all together and the mountain of candy  causes the homes to cave. Oh, well. It is always a fun night!

Staring Contest

Our Little Elf… Bobert!

The little Elf on the Shelf finally came to visit our home this year.  How excited we ALL were for his visit.  He watched over us during the day and got into a little mischief every night.  He was working on the naughty list for sure!  Here are some of the things he got into at the Button house this year!  

 He liked to suggest things for Mom to make.  Like snow cream!

 He found the pickle (the REAL one- see above his head to the left!).

 He is a little trapeze artist!

 He wanted to remind the kids of good oral hygiene!

 Elf likes to do a little internet surfing.

 Toiletpapering the tree!

 Playing dress-up with Barbie.

 He likes to watch movies… like “Elf”!

He likes Bubble bath!

Garett’s Overnight Necessities

It cracks me up that every time one of our kids gets invited to go to a sleepover, they pack their belongings in grocery bags.  We DO own suitcases and backpacks- but no, no-  a grocery bag is quick, easy and disposable!  I love how Garett even remembered the essentials, four cans of soda!

Stella’s

Marissa and I needed to go on a little date together…. so…. since a new bakery opened in Wauconda, we felt obliged to support the local economy.  The owner attended the French Pastry School in Chicago.  So cool!  The cupcakes were delicious and Tooks and I were thrilled to find a new place to satisfy our sweettooth(s)!

Fermilab

We have been studying atoms and radioactivity for science as part of Tate’s science fair project this year (more on that later!).  We got to attend an Ask-a-Scientist and tour of Fermilab’s National Accelerator Facility.  T-O-T-A-L-L-Y amazing.  I cannot even say how cool it was.  We got to attend a lecture by a scientist about how computer data is harvested and stored.  Then to see the accelerator and what they can do with particle energy blew my mind.  Oh, and I think the kids enjoyed it, too!  They had refreshments at the end.  They had Garett at “Oreo”!

Thanksgiving

Parasailing

It wasn’t until we came home that Kevin told us the story of how two parasailers crashed into a Florida building a few weeks ago.  Apparently the line snapped. That was comforting.  :(
Nonetheless, we had a wonderful time and we really couldn’t get over the view!  It was truly spectacular.  

Cruise with Tate

I was so excited to go on my trip this year with Tate.  What Mom would NOT want to spend a long weekend with her soon-to-be-too-cool-to-be-with-your-mom teenager.  Tate had LOTS of options of places to go.  Though Monticello and Williamsburg were high on MY list, they did not even make his top three (go figure!).  So…. Bahamas.  Here we come.

We got to hang out in Miami Beach for half a day and I got to introduce Tate to Serendipity 3.  This is a personal favorite as Kevin and I had seen the one in New York and had gotten their frozen hot chocolate (famous!).  We spent one of our days at Royal Caribbean’s private island and one day in the Bahamas.  We dressed up for dinner every night and Tate deserted me to go hang out at the Teen Club every night after dinner.  We went snorkeling and parasailing (see next post!).