Let the Festivities Begin!

While we had a truly wonderful Thanksgiving Day at home, it was time to get out of the house for a bit Friday morning.  We didn't take any pictures, but we went to Occoquan to wander the cute shops.  I think it's funny that the last time we were here was last year the day after Christmas!  Apparently, it's a good place to stretch our legs.  Now, I have an in at Mom's Apple Pie Bakery, so we visited Bobbi and got coffee :)  We went in some fun shops and checked out some interesting construction on the river as they were extending a pier!  We came home for lunch and naps.

 Bampa taught Jackson to play War.  Let's just say it was a hit!  

 In the evening, Jackson got a special treat to come out on a grown-up dinner date and see the lighting of the big tree at Stonebridge.  He was SO excited to be big enough to join us :)  It was chilly, but we had a really good time kicking off the holiday season.  The event was pretty well organized, complete with complimentary hot chocolate, cookies, and light-up-spinning Christmas tree toys!

 He really was more excited than he looks in this picture!

 MUCH better seating up on Daddy's shoulders!

 There was a short performance and a little music before the tree lit pretty promptly at it's suggested time.  Last year, there were horrible lighting difficulties, so we all held our breath, and it paid off--the tree looked beautiful!

 Posing with the P.F. Chang's horse.  We ate across the street at Firebirds.

 After dinner photo :)

 Yesterday morning, we ventured out early to get to the United States Botanic Garden for the opening of the holiday train exhibit!  We tried to do this last year, but totally underestimated the crowd.  This year we were prepared!

 Trains up above!

 It was quite a bit smaller than a similar exhibit at the Chicago Botanical Garden, but it was also free ;)  This one also featured the Thomas the Train trains.  It was really pretty and well done.  

 Here comes Thomas!

 Lighthouses were the theme!

 There was a fun tunnel at the end.

 Graham got to go through too :)

 There were miniature replicas of the monuments, including Jefferson!

The one thing we did see last year was the huge tree!  We made sure to do that again :)  We headed home for lunch and naps, and then we had our last dinner together at The Bungalow Alehouse.  We had SUCH a good time, and luckily, we don't have to wait too long to see each other again since we will head to Evanston for Christmas break!!!