December already... and no one asked me if I was ready...

Time flies when you are celebrating Thanksgiving and two birthdays while simultaneously creating the annual photobook for a year that included multiple photogenic summer vacations. All without adding any additional hours to the day or subtracting any regular activities.  Something had to give, and I guess it was this blog.

An attempt at quick catchup:

Thanksgiving-- Our fourth year of "Gathering at Gertie's" went off without a hitch.  Twenty-sever guests, lots of laughter, and cousins/second cousins ranging in age from 2-18 playing together beautifully.  A chilly walk around Strasburg and a dessert table to end all dessert tables.  Snuggling new baby Abby and playing Fisher-Price with my daughter. Jack in heaven, playing on screens with the big boys all day.  Loving my family.

The highlight of the day may have been taking this family photo.  Using the self timer on Nat's camera, which we somehow could not get to be longer than 2 seconds.  Pictured is Jack trying his hand at getting back in time, while Alex wanders out of the frame and the rest of us laugh uproariously.

WinterFest:

Starting off the Christmas season!  A wonderful chilly day and a downtown that sparkled with lights and people and holiday activities.  We toured the Palace Theater, made crafts, watched a puppet show, shopped at Tower City, visited the Arcades, and joined thousands of people at the new Public Square  for the lighting and (totally awesome) choreographed fireworks.  Kids were troupers for the 5 hours we were out.  Loving my city almost as much as my family...

This does not really do justice to the tree-filled lobby of the Allen Theater.  But somehow the only tree I thought to photograph was this one with the creepy Santa...

The Trolley Ride over to Public Square was a favorite moment.

The magic of  holiday windows at the Higbee Building.  In this day of screens and mile a minute tech stimulation, its neat to see a simple, slowly moving tableau grab the attention of everyone around.

We went in to Tower City to see the decorations and use the restrooms, but the kids will remember their first trip to Claire's and Gamestop.

Birthdays:

For my 40th, a gathering at my mom's on Tuesday, with my birthday tradition of Johnny Marzetti and cake, then a low key celebration on the day itself (who decided my birthday should be on a Wednesday??)-- pleasantly marked by kind birthday greetings, a couple of Starbucks cards, and a busy night at kids' activities (and more cake!).  Our big celebration came on Friday, when we welcomed Lulu to town for a visit then promptly ran off to MIX at CMA for a night out.  Nat surprised me by inviting some of our best friends to meet us there, and we had a blast drinking Christmas Ale, touring a new modern art exhibit, making crafts, and meeting new people.  Any night that starts with doing "tree pose" in front of art with a stranger, and ends at Denny's with pancakes and inappropriate conversation with a couple of Millenials... is a night to remember.

They had this awesome light display on a screen, ostensibly for selfies in front, but we preferred the silhouette effects from the back. 

40's not THAT old....

Claire's visit:

What a treat to have our Lulu with us for 3 whole days!  We put the rest of life on hold and devoted ourselves to making more cake, hosting a family dinner celebration for Nat's birthday, going to the WSC concert, and touring Claire around some our favorite "pretty places"-- the Gardens and StanHywet, in their holiday best.  The nicest thing about our outings ended up being the timing-- schedules did not allow us to visit at night for the "fully lit" effects, but this meant there were hardly any crowds. We had time to linger in Stan Hywet and really soak it in.  A good trade to be sure.

Our visit really wasn't as sad as this would make it seem.

Birch Tree Allee-- beautiful even in winter.

This week: All. The. Things.  ( you may see why I've not had time to blog....)

Tuesday--Trimming the tree...

All is ready.

Wednesday-- Observation Night at ballet...

 Jack is finally enjoying indoor soccer....

 Thursday--Jack's art show and concert at school...

 Friday--Snowball Dance...

 Saturday--Crown Classic dog show...

 Caroling on Coventry...

Loving my community-- we had the sweetest group, with little troupers of kids who sang their hearts out in the cold.  Met new friends who have recently moved to Cleveland.  Laughed and talked with a cross section of our city and brought smiles to the faces of passers-by.  Caroling is magic.

A little song to send you on your way. Holiday spirit and sparkle to you all!