12/27/07 Washington D.C.

The day before we returned to L.A., we spent the day in D.C. Here's Athena enjoying one of her favorite animals first hand.


And here she is riding the same Merry-Go-Round I used to love as a child. We wanted to get a shot of her on the same zebra I'd ride on, but Athena, probably wisely, insists on choosing her own path.


And here she is on the National Mall refusing to share her cookies.

12/26/07 - Discovery Center/Party

Well, how to follow-up a family Xmas with its orgy of child consumption? Luckily, their Nana has two friends with a childhood discovery center in town. Athena realized her childhood dream of experiencing a bubble from the inside.




Zoë was just a little nonplussed by the whole thing.


And much preferred putting on a puppet show.






And playing with toy cars


And art...


Athena enjoyed playing in the pretend farmhouse with its plastic veggies.


And ye olde rustic water pump.


As well as playing "One of the Village People Raises a Basket"


That evening, Nana and Bobo arranged a party. I forget the official reason but it was basically a "Nite of Look At How Cute My Grandkids Are."

They even got new dresses for the girls. Here's Zoë's:


And Athena enjoying an authentic Italian dessert with Mommy.




The daughter of the restaurant owners kept trying to sneak off with some of our girls' toys.


Luckily, Zoë thought the girl was just playing hide-and-seek and kept following the girl as she tried to make off with the loot.


Still, for much of the party, Athena and Zoë enjoyed sneaking off and exploring the restaurant. They especially loved this brightly painted chair.

Xmas 2007

Ah, the magic of Christmas morning, we even have our special Xmas pajamas.

Zoë spends the morning as usual, playing with her new best friend.





Then it's a flurry of present opening. Zoë loves her new cap.



And Athena gets some help from Aunt Judy with her mini-Etch-a-Sketch.


Here's both the girls surveying their haul.

Xmas Eve 2007

Xmas Eve is always a big dinner where all the Gettysburg gang gets together. Today Nana's modest cottage was bursting at the seams with our ever-expanding clans.

Of most interest, at least to Zoë, is Parker's toddler Nate.






Nate looks a little reluctant here at the prospect of playing "doctor" with her.


And here's Nate and Zoë with Nate's mom Parker.


At least she made some time for the other fellow in her life.



Athena spent much of the evening hanging with Mommy.




Hey, what are those two up to under the table?


And here's one of my favorite pics of Zoë, enjoying the gift of a baby iPod from Nana.

12-15-07 Athena's School Show

Here's some pics from Athena's Christmas show. Many of the older kids are in a traditional Japanese music class and performed a piece. Hence the kimonos. Everyone, though, went on stage for a rousing rendition of "Peanut Butter, AND JELLY!"

12-13-07 Athena's Secret Santa

Athena's school had a Secret Santa party in the gym. Here's Athena waiting patiently to get a present...


Finally, she gets to pick one.


But then, even more waiting...


Finally, she got to open it...


Then, a party. At first, everyone kind of felt bad for the kid who got a rectangular piece of wood, until I showed everyone that it was actually a very loud train whistle. Luckily, the boy was willing to loan it to Athena.


I forget where she got the sunglasses. Perhaps from her friend Fiona (standing behind her).