Halloween in Washington DC

 Welcome to Beautiful National Harbor Maryland

 Kumi giving Seth a hug

 Watching the show at the Children's Museum

 Happy Halloween 2010

 Pooh Bear at the Mall

 Poor and Eeyore

 Pooh in the stroller trick or treating at the mall

 Ring Around the Rosie with Shane, Kumi's Daddy

 Pooh Bear

 The US Capitol

 Ready to Trick or Treat

 Rich's postcard photo of the capitol

 Me and My Cuties at the Capitol

 Savannah's Favorite

 There's she goes

 Mommy and Nansy at a very tall monument

 Washington Monument

 Capitol in the distance on the mall

 Family photo on the Mall in Washington DC

 Daddy and his kids the day after running this city--MONUMENTAL!

Seth appreciating the Washington Monument

We had a glorious 4 days in the Mid-Atlantic region exploring MD, VA, and DC while Rich ran the 35th Marine Corp Marathon.  He did an awesome job at 4 hours, 36 minutes.  He had to run slowly and pace himself to avoid injury, so he did great and got to enjoy the sights too.  It was a very crowded field, so you could not go too fast anyone and the pack never really broke up.  This is his first marathon since Seth was born and he was not trained like he was for his last two marathons, but still was a winner in our book (all the time).  We were really happy because we got to spend quality time with our dear friends Misty and Kumi, who we love like family.  We even got to meet Misty's husband who we had only met via Skype from Japan.  We were so touched that he drove to DC for just a few hours to meet us despite a very hectic work schedule.  He took time out so we could all spend Halloween together.  He is as nice and warm and friendly as the rest of his family.  We love them all and can't wait to see them again.

After a long drive filled with traffic from South Jersey on we made it for dinner to Falls Church Virginia , where we were staying.  Misty and Kumi met us and hung out for dinner and then the kids played.  Luckily our hotel was in walking distance to some great restaurants.  The next day we went to National Harbor, Maryland.  It was so beautiful there with upscale restaurants and shops right on the Potomac.  There were places for the kids to run around and a sand sculpure garden where the kids ran and climbed.  We went to the launch pad for the new National Children's Museum which is opening in 2013 but they had toys and games and art for free and a storytime with an illustrator who dressed up as a blue moose and danced and sang and drew with the kids.  Then we went to Ketchup for lunch, which we thought was a burger joint, but ended up being much nicer and very yummy.  After lunch the younger two napped in the stroller and Misty, Savannah and I took a nice walk around the harbor, took photos, and shopped and then went to a coffee shop before meeting up with Rich who came back from the Marathon Expo over in DC.  We avoid the city due to a rally with two comedians that are very popular on Comedy Central.  Once Rich got back we drove back to Virginia and had dinner at Uno. 

The next day Rich was up at 4:45 a.m. for the marathon and left before the crack of dawn.  I hung out with the kids and went to Starbucks and to get some groceries and then Misty and Kumi met us for lunch at the most amazing Thai restaurant ever.  It was delicious.  The kids played and then Seth went for a nap and Rich came back and we later met Misty, Shane, and Kumi at Tysons Corner Mall for trick or treating and dinner.  Our children transformed to Eeyore, Pooh and Lilo and went through the mall and got some treats until the mall was closing and then we had dinner.  Our wonderful time together came to a close all too soon as we said good bye until we meet up again.  I feel so fortunate to have such special friends in my life and the miracle of adoption brought us together and we have a bond and closeness and just get along like we have always known each other and feel so comfortable.  I am so glad we were able to meet up in DC and share this time together. 

Before leaving town on Monday, we stopped in downtown Washington, DC so the kids could see the Mall and the monuments of DC.  Savannah saw the White House from the car and then we walked the mall and she saw the capitol and the Washington Monument and some of the buildings of the Smithsonian.  She also got to ride the Carousel on the Mall.   Seth slept for most of it, but Savannah loved it.  We had an uneventful ride back with no traffic and smooth sailing.  We stopped in White Marsh Maryland to get a late lunch and they had some NICE shopping there.  Next time we will have to spend more time there.  Then took a pit stop at my dad's to let the kids play a bit and grab a bite to eat.  We got home close to 1 a.m., but it was worth it.  It was a great weekend.  Now we are headed to Boston on Friday to see The Wiggles and start Savannah's Forever Family Day and Citizenship celebration.  Her acutal day is the 14th and 16th respectively.  And then we will got to NJ for Thanksgiving and San Diego the week after that and then we are staying put for awhile except for skiing, says Daddy.

On a funny side note, I took Savannah with me to the polls today.  I told her when I picked her up from school that we are going to go vote.  When we got to town hall she said, "Where's the boat?  I want to go on the big boat."  Well, Savannah, so do I, so I guess another cruise is in our future.