Washington, D.C. {2024} - Day 1

With what had become a family tradition, but had gotten interrupted for a few years due to several factors, we began our journey to Hubby's (and NOW the girls', too) run in the Army Ten-Miler on Sunday with a trip up to D.C. for the long weekend, much like years prior - 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019...

After a FIVE-YEAR hiatus, oh, how GREAT it is to be BACK this year for the 40th Anniversary!

Finally, the weekend matched up with the girls' fall break, so we were excited to make a long weekend of it. Unfortunately, we are down one family member with B in his first year of college...

Reflecting on all of our previous trips, I really can't believe I'm writing that... It is bittersweet for sure, but I digress...

The girls attended a full day of school, and Hubby worked close to a full day yesterday, but we got a little behind with an inspector at our house, leaving early evening. We grabbed a super quick dinner along the way and made it to the hotel late last night (actually early this morning) around 2:30am!

Needless to say, we slept in before heading out to lunch at Oyamel...

It was so yummy!

From lunch, we headed over to the D.C. Armory...

to pick up the race packets for our runners!

We got to check out an old chinook on the grounds, as well!

At this time, it was about half time in the Clemson game, so we made our way over to one of the football watch parties for the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. Clemson Club. It was being held at local a sports bar, Dudley's...

and we were thrilled to find our people in orange, and another Clemson WIN!

After the game, we headed back to the hotel to rest up before dinner at Old Ebbitt Grill...

where the runners all ate pasta, and I had a delicious soup and salad!

The girls discussing the menu in 2016...

and laughing at photos in 2024...

It was another lovely dinner at Old Ebbitt Grill!

From there, we made one last stop at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial...

Last time the girls were there (aside from M's Beta Club trip this past spring), they slept right through it!

{D.C. Trip 2012}

{D.C. Trip 2024}

Good night, Capital City...

Race Day is tomorrow!

{Girls Trip} - Anne Wilson in Charleston

 Anne Wilson ~ The REBEL Tour

Well, now that was FUN!

What had been in the works since early spring finally came to fruition this weekend. The girls and I, along with my dear friend C, her daughter A, and friend E, hit the road early Saturday morning, and made it down to Charleston in time to grab an early lunch at Church & Union...

where we were seated out back on the patio...

but before we left, we snapped a few pics inside the restaurant...

that is housed in a former church...

After lunch, we made our way over to Waterfront Park to visit the beautiful Pineapple Fountain...

before walking over to...

the iconic Rainbow Row...

From there, we walked the historic Tradd Street...

down to the very popular King Street to do a little bit of shopping...

before heading over to our hotel to get ready for the main event!

We were really lucky to snag VIP tickets that granted us early admission to the venue...

and the opportunity to meet Anne Wilson herself! The BEST part was that I was able to keep this detail a secret right up until we got ready to go in. The girls were so surprised!

Up and coming Country Christian artist, Jordan Rowe, opened up the show...

and then, Anne took the stage!

It was such a FUN show!

One of the things we loved the most was the prayer wall...

where the girls both left a couple of prayers...

After an awesome night...

we headed back to our hotel to rest both our tired eyes and sore feet (none of us are used to wearing cowboy boots for extended periods of time)!

The next morning, we headed back into downtown Charleston to the absolutely darling Little Palm...

where we grabbed brunch...

and drinks, namely out of a big ol' disco ball punch bowl!

Needless to say, we enjoyed taking pictures of it and with it more than drinking all that was in there. After all, we had to drive back home!

After brunch, we made sure to take a few photos...

including my very favorite...

The decor was so good!

After brunch, we made one last, and very special, stop down along The Battery...

What a trip! I'm so thankful for this whirlwind getaway with my girls...

We love you, Charleston...we'll be back!