We went on two holiday getaways this Christmas! Here is the recap of our trip to Williamsburg and Hillsborough.
Holiday vacation
I hope you all had a very lovely week with your family and friends. We did two trips, one before Christmas and one after. I’m ready to relax and settle into January now!
Busch Gardens + Williamsburg
On Friday the 22nd, we took the children to Christmastown at Busch Gardens. The theme park is decorated with many holiday lights with all Christmas themes. This was my first time going! I actually haven’t been to Busch Gardens even in the warmer months since I was in high school. We are already planning a trip back in the summer.
Arrival
The park opened at 2pm, and we got there just as the gates opened. We should have gone on one or two of the big coasters to avoid the lines, but instead we were hanging around. Mazen and I waited too long to ride a 30 second Grover roller coaster 🙂
Pantheon
We noticed that the wait for the Pantheon roller coaster was short and Thomas had the best ride of his life. By the time it left, the line was too long to go, so I’ll have to wait until summer!
Children’s Rides
Neither of our boys do thrill rides, but Birch went to the Himalayas and they did a few shorter rides together.
Bundle up
We expected a “warm” day that topped out in the 50s, but we also knew we’d have to plan on wearing tons of layers. It was ok from 2-6 and then it got really cold. Woolen socks and hand warmers were essential. I had on 4 layers.
Gourmet dinner in Germany
We had a very theme park dinner with two pizzas and a beer, watching a merry Christmas show and warming up.
Games we didn’t win
Thomas tried very hard!
Train ride + light tour
The highlight for me was the train ride throughout the park. The lights were spectacular!
Donuts for dessert
Williamsburg Lodge
We spent the night at the Williamsburg Lodge, which I got for free using a free Marriott award I got from opening one Marriott Boundless Card last year.
We had breakfast at the hotel – avocado toast for me!
Big Boy Pancakes:
Colonial Williamsburg
After breakfast we left the hotel and went to Colonial Williamsburg to walk around. We got to see Thomas’ aunt and cousin who live a few blocks away.
Ice skating
The boys saw the rink and wanted to try it out. Mazen has rollerbladed before and ice skated without a problem. Birch did very well too! He also spent some time on the plastic bear sleds.
Find a pile of dirty snow = make snowballs
Observation of Santa Claus
We ran into one of Santa’s helpers who was on his bike and passed out his babies!
Lunch at the Cheese Factory
Video recap of our trip
via Instagram!
Christmas in Cville
We went home on Saturday and spent a day at home getting ready for Christmas. We took the boys to see Wonka and we loved it.
We spent Christmas Eve at Thomas’ parents enjoying Christmas pizza!
Christmas Creativity
Mazen really got into the holiday spirit, making it special for Birch. He made this video after we all went to our family’s Elf bed on a sugar hunt.
And he even got some messages on his phone from Santa 🙂
Christmas morning
Christmas morning went great! The boys slept until 7 and we opened presents by the light of the fire. Birch got lots of Mandalorian themed gifts and Mazen got Legos and an Xbox!
We got puzzles – and new tires for our car – duh!
Chocolate Brioche French Toast
Boy was that good!!!
Home for the Holidays
After the house was tidied up and presents unwrapped, we hit the road for two nights in Hillsborough! My sister and her family and in-laws were there for our annual Christmas reunion.
We had ham, brussels sprouts, rolls, pears, corn pudding and more. I wasn’t the best photographer, but I captured the children’s table!
We had three pies and lots of ice cream for dessert – yuummmm!
Secret Santa
During the annual Elfster gift exchange I got this beautiful cocktail shaker (mine is plastic!) and an Athleta gift card for some new athleisure fun 🙂
The Christmas mouse
Adding some excitement to bedtime, there was a Christmas mouse running around the perimeter of the living room! Luckily I was upstairs when I spotted it.
Cousin Time
Between sweets and pie, the cousins played and played.
We said goodbye to them on the 26th 🙁
We had a low-key boxing day. Thomas and I worked out and enjoyed a lunchtime visit to the Colonial Inn while Mazen played with his neighbor friend and Mom and Dad played with Birch.
Orange County
Friends for life
In the evening some of my childhood friends came to visit.
Birch loved Uncle Hugh and Uncle Larry!
