The Holidays update contd.

 Loch Lolly, our favorite little Christmas tree farm, was calling our name for a third year in a row.  I think we may have a tradition on our hands.  They meet one of our most significant qualifications, the Santa here doesn't scare Robby.  Although you can see in the picture the eyes wandering, a little desperately, toward mom.  Robby told Santa he wanted a pen-grenade like James Bond and super-hero vitamins.  Neither of these things had been discussed beforehand, and I'm not sure that Santa grants wishes for weapons, at least he didn't for us.  Pen-grenade was not delivered, but our little guy is looking more and more like a super-hero everyday thanks to those vitamins.

After a long day of tree-chopping and decorating, the girl was out.  Robby was, of course, still up "waiting for Santa."

 Ryan made us all the happiest people on earth when he prepared Beef Wellington for Christmas dinner.  This dish's name must be capitalized to at least pay a small bit of homage to it's excellence.  The man can cook like a master.  When  a dish's preparation requires purchasing a new pot from Le Creuset on Chrismtas Eve, you know it's going to be good (you can see my new red pot below :)  Now Kate is telling people that her favorite food is Beef Wellington, but mac and cheese is a close second.

 There he is, the vitamins are working!

 Cousins love Christmas. It's 12:45 am, that's the best caption I can muster right now:)

 Christmas morning stockings, yahoo! 

 Getting stronger . . . 

 And wiser.

 The little angel.  

   Our great friends who were abroad for two years are back to host our favorite new years party.  Here are the cutest little ladies ringing in the new year.

 The Family. 

 Later that  night. . . 

Happy 2013

When you think about Seuss! (the Reader's Digest version, a continuation of an update on our lives)

Here's more of what we were up to in November.

 Kate played the part of "the elephant bird" and jungle animal, and circus animal, and fish in Seussical the Musical. If it were possible to fill someone's cup past full, this is what Seussical did for Kate.  She drank this experience up, no, that's not accurate, she soaked it up, ate it up, lived it up . . . you get the picture.  If there ever was a more fulfilled girl, I'd be surprised.  This was quite a time-consuming and demanding commitment for a 5-year-old (and her mom), two 3-hour rehearsals a week, plus all the dress rehearsals  But she loved every moment.  We were very excited for Kate!

 Here she is right after she "hatched."  Her mom and Dad are Horton the Elephant (a doctoral opera student) and Mayzie (a professional actress, she was sooo funny).

Kate and the Cat, Russ, who carried the show like a champ.  Isn't she cute?

The Firsts and the Lasts - An Update

I am waaay behind.  Here's a quick little update.  

 First day of the Kindergarten life.  She rides the bus, has homework, and goes to recess.  I can't believe any of it.

 He goes to preschool with his buddies, loves the tricycles the most, misses his "grumpy, old, preschool friends" when he comes home, and takes snack time very seriously.

Finished my last class to finish my degree in Exercise Science.  It only took three years, but I finished the one class I had left to get that official piece of paper.  Now my walk in cap and gown is legit, go me and all the supporters who made it happen!