Washington DC - Day 2

Yesterday, was a very full day. About as much as this family of four can fit into a day.

We started out by heading into DC from our hotel which is about a 20 minute drive. We decided to take the shuttle from the hotel which later proved to be a big mistake. But the drive in was good.

We were dropped of at historical Union Station and managed to eat lunch there from 3 different mall type restaurants. One wanted a burger, another Chinese and Hubby and I had some Indian.

We then headed to the US Capitol. I have to say it was a pretty cool feeling to just walk inside the hub of our country. It is beautiful and so well-maintained. It made me very proud. The new visitors center is very nice but not what we expected. We took a short guided tour which was extremely informative and engaging. There is so much that the general public is not allowed to see.

We managed to see the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and walk through National Mall to view the Washington Monument. The Air and Space Museum is very cool and a great museum for younger kids because they can touch things and have interactive rides and movies.

We had to be back to our hotel for our party, though and it was getting very chilly, so we headed to our pick up point for our hotel shuttle.

We waited. No shuttle. Waited some more. Called. No shuttle. They said it was traffic. 30 more minutes. No shuttle. More calls. More excuses. Finally, an hour and a half later and a very heated call with my 4 year old screaming in the background somehow encouraged them to send another shuttle. I was just chilled to the bone. I am guessing we stood in about 35 degree windy weather that whole time.

It. was. not. fun. Anyway, we got our money back for that ride - yes we did.

It was a very quick change into our outfits. The kids looked precious. Hubby was not too into it and decided against wearing the entire outfit. Mine was incomplete but sufficed. I wanted to sew some fringe on it, but just ran out of time. The kids were so cute, though and they TOTALLY got into the whole deal. I actually did sew some fringe on B's dress which ended up looking good.

Below is the only family photo we got. Hubby has decided he needs this little beard right now. Whatever. I am not sure the 20's look is for me, but it was fun.

The highlight of this evening other than Hubby receiving a 10 years in business award was my children having the time of their life dancing the night away. At one point I could not find my daughter in a huge crowd of hundreds of people dancing.

Finally, we found her.

On stage. And she had this little posse of kids with her including my son.

Think she likes to be the center of attention or what?

We finally made it to bed about Midnight. This mama crashed into a heap in the soft cushy hotel bed.

I am up watching the Carolina Panthers getting whooped. Not a good thing. Bummer. We sported our shirts all day today except while swimming. We were so hopeful!

Tomorrow we're headed into DC again, not on the shuttle, to see some more sights. Later.

Souper Saturday - Chicken Vegetable Soup with Lime and Cilantro

One of my favorites - great for a slimmer start to the New Year!

Chicken Vegetable Soup with Lime and
Cilantro... and some other things, too.

2 lbs of skinless boneless chicken breast, cut up into 1 inch cubes

8 cups chicken broth (I use low salt, low fat)

3 cups of russet potatoes cut into cubes or shredded or small in size

1 1/2 cups of carrots, peeled, cut into rounds or small in size

1 1/2 tsp. ground coriander

1 - 15 oz. can of Golden hominy
drained and chopped

6 green onions - chopped

1/3 cup Fresh Cilantro, chopped

5 T fresh lime juice

1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

Salt to taste ( I used sea salt)

Optional - Green Tabasco to taste
and warm corn tortillas. Shredded Cheddar Jack cheese.

Preheat large pot on medium heat

Sprinkle chicken with salt and saute it in the pot with the coriander, cayenne pepper, carrots and potatoes until chicken is turning opaque and brown a bit. I do ADD A BIT of OLIVE OIL here.

Add broth, turn heat up to medium high and bring to boil.

Reduce heat to medium low and simmer until chicken and vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally, about 40 minutes.

Add hominy, green onions, cilantro, and lime juice and simmer for about 5 minutes just to blend the flavors

Add salt, tabasco and cheese to your liking.

Serve with Warm Corn tortillas

Enjoy!

Typing In the Dark

I am in Washington DC with the family and yes, I am typing this post in complete darkness while the rest of the family sleeps. It is the only quiet moment I've had all day and I am relishing in it!

Hubby has a convention here for the next few days with his company and we are joining in on the fun. The hotel is amazing! I have stayed at a couple other Gaylord Hotels when I attended MOPS conventions. They are really like small towns. Hubby was even kidding about how we should put an offer on one of the houses that sits INSIDE the hotel. They are the gift shops.

Here are some shots of the cool dancing fountain inside the hotel also. The kids had a blast with this. Kids just love hotels, don't they. Who am I kidding? I love hotels like this, too. I worked in the hotel industry for a long time - it has a certain allure for me.

Anyway, we have lots planned for the next couple days. Tomorrow is a free day so we plan to visit some cool sites and play around. Then tomorrow night we have a 1920's theme party to attend. I have costumes for the entire family! Gangsters and Flappers. I will definitely post some photos.

I think someone is stirring. shhhh. Nite Nite.

Rainbow

This amazing rainbow appeared yesterday after a storm, right outside my front door! It was incredible. I posted it on my FaceBook page and everyone local commented on how they saw it and how vibrant the colors were. One little boy was telling everyone that Jesus was coming back! It was so beautiful and I am afraid this picture just does not do it justice. But here it is anyway - a divine reminder.