Shawn's Infoblox Holiday Party

We had an iffy start leaving on Friday because a snow squall came out of nowhere.  It delayed our departure for about 30 minutes.  But after we got through Waynesburg, we did not have further trouble on the roads.  We reached Shawn's office about 3:00.  I was very excited to meet his coworkers.  I met a few then read my book (and talked to Dina on the phone) a little while he worked.  Then we went to the Indian restaurant where he always goes when he is down there and it was delicious!!  We had mulligatawny, chickpea battered fried veggies and chicken tikki masala.  Then we got settled at the hotel. We worked out and even worked on some of our new green belt requirements in the fitness center. We were excited to get to play some cards.  We got all ready to play and realized we forgot how to play 500 Rum or Liverpool Rum or anything other than Uno.  But, with the aid of the internet we quickly relearned.  Not realizing it, I brought a pink deck of cards that did not have red and black suits, it was all pink.  It was very hard and confusing to play with.  I better not make that mistake again!  In the morning we worked out and looked for something in town to do.  I had brought bread, butter, carrots, buffalo bean dip, cheese and crackers and apples.  That fed us nicely all day until it was time to go to the party at night.  

We decided to go tour an 18th century home in Annapolis that Trip Advisor said was worth the trip.  When we got there it was closed until April.  We did have a nice but cold walk around Annapolis, which is quite lovely for a city.  Then we went to the Gaylord Resort for the party.

My oh my, what a place.  There were 3 lands of traffic for valet parking when we arrived.  We got that figured out and got our luggage in to the bell hop and then walked through the hotel.  It was CRAZY.  There was a big red carpet for the entryway and marble floors and columns.  We were staring at each other with our mouths agape.  We checked in and the girl at the desk told us she was going to upgrade our room to a balcony room.  I didn't see why that was much of an upgrade when it was 20 degrees outside.  Until, we realized it was an inside balcony that overlooked the "atrium."  This atrium was a whole beautiful village with shops and restaurants among the trees and pretty landscaping and a giant water fountain and little areas with water running through it.  And it was all inside!

 

 looking at the rooms and balconies.  On the upper level of the atrium there was a pretty marble floored area with a gazebo.

 The giant bank of windows overlooking the Patomic River

 The view from our balcony

The fountain down below

 We read in the hotel book that there was a rooftop lounge with beautiful views.  We couldn't find the special elevator to get up there, but we did get to the 19th floor, and had some spectacular views of the Patomic.  You can even see the Washington Monument in the distance.

During our tour of the hotel, we discovered there was no one in the giant pool.  We got dressed and wend down there and enjoyed having it all to ourselves for most of the time.

 The fountain nightly light show.  Music went along with it.

Then, before the party I dragged Shawn all over the atrium trying to get a nice picture.  We got a few.

The party was very enjoyable.  The food was great and I enjoyed talking with several of Shawn's coworkers' wives, especially Eli, John B, Carlos and Paul's wives.  The entertainment was something: a talented magician (Shawn and I were both relieved we didn't have to go on stage with him), and a dancing couple with amazing wardrobe changes.

After the party we were invited to the after party at the rooftop lounge.  Though it was late, we wanted to check it out. We found the hidden special elevator and went up.  To our disappointment, it was a loud night club.  And, of course it was dark so you couldn't really appreciate the view anyways, especially with all the lights flashing inside.  But at least we solved the mystery of it.

It was a very fun trip and we really appreciate Grandma and Pappy babysitting!!!!

Here was Paul on the way home.  Unbelievably, Joy did not fall asleep on the way home.