Christmas in Pittsburgh

Dale, freshly groomed, looking like a hot Christmas mess.

Our Christmas celebration this year was nice and low key.  To celebrate the holidays, we spent time cooking some wonderful meals including roasting duck and enjoying some fresh shrimp that my parents brought back from Florida.  Both were absolutely delicious.  We also went of plenty of walks and worked a little around the house, as we always do when my parents visit. Dale added another level of chaos as one would assume.  The pup was crazy and enjoyed helping us unwrap the presents on Christmas morning. 

Red Solo Cups for Mom and Dad!

GARTH! YES.

Ohhh Thank you for your help dale.

We had a few simple gifts for one another. My parents got me the Garth Brooks box set, which I've watched already like 5 times.  Oh my gosh, his concert at the Wynn is better than I ever could have imagined. I remember when I heard he was coming out of retirement to play in Vegas, I emailed Joel to ask about the tickets.  He called me out on wasting time and money, hhaha, see below. 

Marsh, Joel <Joel.Marsh@jacobs.com>	2/16/11
to me

A lot pricey, busy morning then I see!

From: Alyce Marsh [mailto:alycemarsh@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 9:38 AM
To: Marsh, Joel
Subject: Re: Bad day on the Portage

Hey Uncle Buck,

Here's Garth's tour dates in Vegas....  A little pricey.  Eeeeeeee

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 10, 2011—Garth Brooks has performed to sold-out crowds and rave reviews at the intimate Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas since December 2009. Tickets for the next series of highly anticipated concerts will go on sale on Saturday, January 15 at 10 a.m. PT. Tickets are $225 plus service charge and tax ($253 total).

Concert Dates: 
March 25 & 26
April 8 & 9
June 3 & 4
June 24 & 25
July 22 & 23

Concert times: 
Fridays: 8 p.m. & 10:30 p.m.
Saturdays: 8 p.m. & 10:30 p.m.

Haha, so that pretty much settled that. But luckily I got to watch the concert in the comfort of my living room, and Paul finally got to use his surround sound! It was a great time in Pittsburgh, and I'm so happy that they came out to visit!

Lyssa's Christmas present for Dale.

Washington DC, Day 2

Mom by the Federal Reserve!

Tourist Curty.

During our second day in DC, we again took the metro downtown to go to some of the War Memorials and the various sites of the city.  It was going to be a long day of walking, and we were just hoping that the rain would hold off.  Luckily a little moisture makes the pictures look that much better.  We got in our daily Starbuck and walked all over town.  

Vietnam Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

Our first stop that we saw along the way was the Federal Reserve, so naturally we had to get a picture with mom next to the building! My dad was pretty much dressed like a classic tourist. He had a backpack full of our lunches and drinks so we could spare a few pennies on our vacation.  We were laughing because I suddenly turned into the vacation planner and was taking my parents all around town - and I even packed them a lunch!  A little scary!

Our second stop was the Vietnam Memorial showcasing all of the names on the black wall.  This memorial still chills me, and the design is absolutely fantastic. They way they have it so everyone can see their own reflection in the stone is one of it's finest and most humbling qualities. It was sure beautiful. I also love how all of the memorials seem to line up with the Washington monument, the reflection pool and then the lincoln memorial.  They all play off one another in terms of space and views. It's amazing to think of those who worked to plan and design the tributes. 

Korean War Memorial

We walked to the Lincoln Memorial and then back to the Korean War Memorial, WWII, and then finally decided that our soaked feet had had enough of the weather.  My toes were absolute prunes, so it was about time to call it a day and make our way back to Pittsburgh.  

Each star represents 100 Americans who died or remain missing in WWII. 

I'm so happy that we were able to fit in this quick little trip to DC.  I sometimes forget just how close it is!  So, for anyone who would like to visit us, I now know of the perfect little hotel on the outskirts of the city for us to stay in!  

My home.

Washington DC, Day 1

Arlington National Cemetery

Beautiful wreaths. 

This year was a little different in that due to our wedding Paul had just a few remaining days of vacation, and we figured out that Christmas unfortunately would not be one of those days.  Paul had to work over the holidays, but luckily my parents were able to drive out and join us for Christmas.  It was going to be the start of a different tradition and a change of pace.  Of course, we spent a few of the days on the road traveling to Washington DC, because a Marsh vacation is not time to rest!

John F Kennedy's eternal flame

My parent's drove to Pittsburgh, then we took a quick rest before jumping in the car to check out the sights in Washington DC!  My mom hasn't been there in quite a few years and I knew that my Dad was going to love the memorials and the various tributes scattered throughout our Nation's capital.  I found a great hotel outside the city close to Arlington National Cemetery and right next to the metro. When we checked into the hotel, we were given the wrong room number and I kicked on the room number, and for some reason my key didnt work.  So I went down to the front desk to get it fixed, they re-programmed the key... and sure enough it worked, and I confidently let myself into someone else's room!!! WHAT!? Thank goodness they weren't up to something! My mom, dad and I sure got a good laugh out of that one!

The first day we took the metro to the Arlington Cemetery. My parents and I were going to be taking the metro to get around just like the good old days. They were about to experience what it's like to be at the whim of public transportation.  Welcome to my life for the last 6 years. 

The tomb of the unknown solider.

The Cemetery of course was beautiful. One of my absolute favorite places in all of Washington DC.  It is just so astounding that such a place exists and the respect and beauty of the grounds are breathtaking. We walked through the various tombs up to the Tomb of the unknown solider to watch the changing of the guards.  I'm so glad that we made it in time to see this chilling ceremony. It was quite an honor to be a part of it.  

Changing of the guards ceremony.

The last two times I saw it, I was with Joel when he visited me in Washington DC and then Lyssa and I went back for a quick visit before I headed off to Pittsburgh.  This is an absolute must on any of my visits to the Nation's capital.  It's so powerful. I'm so thankful of our military and their families. What an amazing sacrifice and service to our country. 

After the cemetery, we took the metro into town to catch a glimpse of the White House at night as well as a bite to eat.  It was a great first day to our quick visit!

The White House glowing at night.

Thanksgiving in Wisconsin with Dale

Dale flying coach, and my yellow travel pants.

One of my more adventurous moves included taking a brand new puppy on a plane to Wisconsin after having him for only a week and a half. What I was thinking, I have no idea. I gave him a little Benadryl in his favorite Little Cesar's kong and threw him in a fabric basket to put under the seat in front of me. I was pretty sure he was going to bark the whole way - but much to my relief he fussed around to get comfortable and continued to look up at me with sad eyes through his carrier the entire trip.  Also, I should note - Dale was not potty trained at this point - so much of my layovers were spent in the girls bathroom trying to get him to pee on pee-pads while he was trying to sniff the stall of the ladies next to me.  It was a ridiculous display.

Lyssa getting some lovin' from her new nephew.

Who can spot the pooch?

Luckily we made it in one piece and Mom picked me up at the Green Bay airport and was utterly shocked that I had a dog with me hahah! We thought we would never see the day. Dale took a pee and got to ride shotgun on our way to Appleton.  We went to show Kathy and the Anderson family the new pooch.  They were in love with the crazy terrier, and got to take care of him for a bit while we went to grab a crate and puppy essentials. 

Something I thought I would never see, my dad reading next to a dog.

Dale enjoying the snow of Wisconsin!

The next morning, mum and I got our hair did and I met up with Lyssa after school to cause some trouble in Seymour per-ush. We danced like crazy and came back to let Dale outside for a midnight tinkle. He was pretty concerned when I rolled down the hill with him - hey, I was just trying to bond. Then I let the pooch sleep with me in the futon and woke up to his rustling under the covers by the feet terrified that Lyssa was sleeping at the foot of my bed.  Needless to say, it was another classic adventure and my parents were entertained. 

Tristan teaching Dale a few new tricks, like how to be taller. 

The following afternoon was Thanksgiving, and we were fortunate to spend it with the Nagel family at Sue's house.  Dale came too, he's already spoiled. The food was excellent and I had to chance to catch up with their rapidly growing kids and Grandpa VB.  It's too bad the Packer's didn't win, but hey, can't have it all. 

Venison sausage. Seriously, to die for. (well the deer anyway)

No luck hunting, but it sure was fun!

That afternoon we went up north so I could do a little hunting in the woods with Dad. It was the second weekend of the season so the darn whitetails tend to wise-up by this time and only feed at night. However, we went out every morning and evening to try to get a glimpse of fresh venison. Nothing. We saw a few squirrels but unfortunately not a deer this year.  I'll have to try my luck again next year - skunked two years in a row is not a great sign.  Luckily Dad got a few with his muzzleloader so we had some meat for fresh breakfast sausage. So delicious.

Our peaceful back yard in Seymour. Miss this view every morning. 

It was so nice to be back in Wisconsin to relax over Thanksgiving.  Dale, mom and I took numerous walks and he played in the snow and destroyed numerous water bottles and peed in our house.  Classic Dale behavior really.  I think Dale secretly misses Wisconsin, and hopefully we'll both be able to go back soon!

DALE takes a SELFIE, and tweets that he's at Buck's camp.