Happy Holidays!

Boy, I've been pretty bad at the blogging thing lately.  Even though I don't do anything interesting, I feel like I don't have much free time these days.  I guess part of it is when I don't actually have things that need doing, I'm trying to recuperate from my BJJ work outs, or simply relax from a rough week at work.  Also, I spend way too much time cleaning every weekend - from vacuuming to laundry.   I'm seriously considering downsizing just so I don't have as much floor to vacuum!

Anyway, to catch up, I had another business trip in October.  It was a three day meeting in Kansas City and I decided to drive 3 days there and 3 days back just so I can bring Millie.  Yes, I'm crazy.  I did have a nice scenic drive though through the mountains of West Virginia and Kentucky.  I also had a stop at Blackwater Falls, a nice walk through Hoosier National Forest, and a stop at the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.  I didn't do much in Kansas City though, despite World Series going on my first day full day there.  On the way back, I had a short stop at my dad's and drove back through boring Indiana and Ohio.

November was almost uneventful, save for a trip to see my family for Thanksgiving.  Dad, Rachel, and Alana didn't make it this year though, so it was a little sad not having everyone there.  My four year old nephew (and God son) drove me a bit crazy though.  He spent the entire time I was there trying to feed Millie everything he could and pulling on her tail.  The two of them together needed very close supervision.

Now into December, I had hoped to do bunch of holiday related activities, but so far I only got one night of such in.  It was the day of White House visit and since I was going into town and it was a nice night, I wanted to see the zoo lights.  Since my family couldn't make the visit as originally planned (thanks to my niece getting mono), I went with my coworker who was already cleared for the White House visit that night.  We took the metro from Reston and got to the zoo right before 5 when Zoo Lights start.  The lights were pretty, the laser show a bit cheesy, and the animals were no where to be seen in the dark.  They also had a nice display of trains and gingerbread animal homes.

Our tour time was 8pm, so by the time we finished up the zoo and got near the WH, we had just enough time to pop over to see the National Christmas tree.  Not sure what to say about that except it was very beautiful and lots of people were out to see it.

The White House tour was nice, but somehow last year's seemed a little better.  Maybe because it's not my first time, or maybe because the decorations were better last year.  Or maybe because the piano man wasn't there and we didn't get a free cookie and they rushed us out (being that we were the last group of the day).  Still, the Christmas decorations at the White House are absolutely beautiful and worth a visit at every opportunity.