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Holidays:  Christmas Family Reunion in D.C.  |
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jaimigirl
Farmgirl in Training
15 Posts
Jaimi
Sequim
WA
15 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 14 2006 : 9:32:40 PM
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My brother and SIL are hosting our family for the week before Christmas. There will be so many "firsts". Praises to my Sister-In-Law Pamela , who is slightly trembling in anticipation.
What are some of the basics to running a home-ful of well meaning relatives? Ideas for sight seeing from West Virginia?
Thanks, Jaimi |
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asnedecor
True Blue Farmgirl
1054 Posts
Anne
Portland
Or
USA
1054 Posts |
Posted - Oct 15 2006 : 08:52:47 AM
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Are you going to be near Alexandria area and DC? We went two years ago to Alexandria/DC to have Christmas with my sister - before she moved to Alaska. She lived in Alexandria, not too far from old town. We took the train into DC - didn't have to worry about a rental car or parking and toured some of the Smithsonian museums, went on a night tour (bus) to all the monuments - it was 19 degrees, clear and cold - so nice to get in a warm bus. We went shopping in old town Alexandria - all decked out for the holidays. Went and visited Christ's Church - where George Washington use to worship. Went to Mt. Vernon - very cool during the holidays. Saw the Library of Congress - also decorated for the Holidays. We had a blast - so much to see. We were there for a week and still didn't see everything. I guess if you can get to Monticello - that is another great place to check out - we didn't have time. While we were there - my dad helped my sister with baking of stuff for Christmas morning. We chipped in for groceries for dinners - Mom helped with Christmas eve dinner, we all chipped in and helped in some form or fashion. DH's and my job many times was to walk the dog and keep her entertained.
Anne in Portland
"Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them" Eyeore from Winnie the Pooh
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - Oct 15 2006 : 09:05:03 AM
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Oh how fun! When I was a kid we all did thanksgiving together (18 of us) and it was a blast! Have lots of games, videos and stuff for the kids. We always played balderdash as a family. It was always so fun! Of course lots of food is always good. Not sure about sightseeing stuff up there but we would always take a trip as a family to see a movie together. Touch football in the yard is fun too. If you are in the country a big bonfire with hot cider, coffe and marshmallows to toast would be neat too. You could gather around and sing christmas carols! Hafe fun and let us know how it goes.
Jewelry, art, baskets, etc.
www.willowtreecreek.com |
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jaimigirl
Farmgirl in Training
15 Posts
Jaimi
Sequim
WA
15 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2006 : 9:56:31 PM
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Thank-you , for the great reply! I, too, like the idea of a warm sight-seeing bus at night. I'll find out where Christ's Church is, sounds wonderful. We'll be in Falls Church, near Alexandria. My brother is a lobbyist for local governments and used to work for John McCain when we lived in AZ. He invited us out for a "Damn The Federal Government" Christmas. I've thought to visit the Holocaust Museum as none of us have been. Again, thanks, Jaimi quote:
Originally posted by asnedecor
Are you going to be near Alexandria area and DC? We went two years ago to Alexandria/DC to have Christmas with my sister - before she moved to Alaska. She lived in Alexandria, not too far from old town. We took the train into DC - didn't have to worry about a rental car or parking and toured some of the Smithsonian museums, went on a night tour (bus) to all the monuments - it was 19 degrees, clear and cold - so nice to get in a warm bus. We went shopping in old town Alexandria - all decked out for the holidays. Went and visited Christ's Church - where George Washington use to worship. Went to Mt. Vernon - very cool during the holidays. Saw the Library of Congress - also decorated for the Holidays. We had a blast - so much to see. We were there for a week and still didn't see everything. I guess if you can get to Monticello - that is another great place to check out - we didn't have time. While we were there - my dad helped my sister with baking of stuff for Christmas morning. We chipped in for groceries for dinners - Mom helped with Christmas eve dinner, we all chipped in and helped in some form or fashion. DH's and my job many times was to walk the dog and keep her entertained.
Anne in Portland
"Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them" Eyeore from Winnie the Pooh
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jaimigirl
Farmgirl in Training
15 Posts
Jaimi
Sequim
WA
15 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2006 : 10:06:14 PM
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FOOD, Lot's of Food! I quite agree with you. My hat is off to those who can understand and acutually play a game of football, Touch or otherwise. I like the idea of playing together outside. My brother has a basketball hoop! Hot cider and coffee sound yummy. Thank-you, for reminding me that it is the simple things in life that string us together. Peacefully, Jaimiquote:
Originally posted by willowtreecreek
Oh how fun! When I was a kid we all did thanksgiving together (18 of us) and it was a blast! Have lots of games, videos and stuff for the kids. We always played balderdash as a family. It was always so fun! Of course lots of food is always good. Not sure about sightseeing stuff up there but we would always take a trip as a family to see a movie together. Touch football in the yard is fun too. If you are in the country a big bonfire with hot cider, coffe and marshmallows to toast would be neat too. You could gather around and sing christmas carols! Hafe fun and let us know how it goes.
Jewelry, art, baskets, etc.
www.willowtreecreek.com
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Oct 17 2006 : 07:50:40 AM
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I went to DC when I was 14 with my grandfather for a WW2 reunion. It was amazing! From my hotel room I could look down INTO the pentago! no kidding! I even have pictures!
We went to the Vietnam memorial to see my uncle's name and toured all the monuments in the vicinity (quickly! Too quickly! I would LOVE to go back!) We also went to the Air and Space muesuem at the Smithsonian. "The Spirit of St. Louis" is there which on of my great grand fathers and a great uncle helped build!
Also if you are interested in naval history- there is a naval museum down on the river that is really really neat too. You could even go to Ford theater where Lincoln was shot!
There is so much historical stuff to see and I am sure there is lots of shows and such too! Hope you have as good of a time as I did! |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2006 : 11:36:34 AM
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My main suggestion is to have a few things "planned" and then let folks do what they want othertimes--my husband has a large family, and they always have an "itinerary" and it drives me crazy. But, Oh, I love DC at that time of year!!! My best friend, Kristin and her boyfriend at the time was a diplomat's son, and I had Thanksgiving dinner with she and his family in the most gorgeous home I've ever been in--really festive diplomatic neighborhood, each house decked out in so many flags. It snowed that Thanksgiving, and she lived in Old Town, too, so we did a lot of quaint shopping and went into DC proper to visit the National Gallery and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History because we are both total fossil nerds. We also went to Adams Morgan to a really fabulous french restaurant, but I can't remember the name, and then on to an art house theater. Adams Morgan is such fun! Falls Church is more suburban, but I'm sure there will be enough to do wherever you decide to go. So much history and beauty in one place, I'm very jealous!!
Just think of all of the roads there are...all of the things I haven't seen....yet. |
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Holidays: Christmas Family Reunion in D.C. |
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Christmas Family Reunion in D.C.
