It was our first Christmas in the US in eight years. We traveled far to be there: Malaysia being halfway around the world from the US East Coast, at 10,000 miles and 12 time zones away. Turkish Airlines brought us from KL to Washington in two 11+ hour flights, stopping in Istanbul on the way. The layover was long and we couldn't resist going into the city for a few hours. We had landed at 5 am, and got to watch the city waking up.
Arriving at Dulles airport, we find Cam there to greet us YAY. Tom bravely stepped into a rental car, tired and jet lagged, driving in unfamiliar territory in the US for the first time in a year and a half, and on the wrong side of the road. He did great! Cam provided navigation which was very helpful.
In Washington, DC Ben and Sarah welcomed us, and we were joined the next day by Aunt Margaret.
Tom's love of coffee is well-known and he was not disappointed.
And a little farther afield, old haunts of Silver Spring where K and M lived.
We watched a UCLA game at a bar full of alums; Ben led the cheers!
It was a very nice trip--wonderful to be with the fam. Not as exotic as our other overseas Christmases but warm (NOT temperature), EASY, comfortable, interesting.