New Year's Eve

Kids had fun at the YMCA family party.


Alana with our neighbor, Christina


Cal in the middle of the balloon drop

Back at home, I buit a kick-ass fire (usually my fires never really get going!) Alana took this photo.

High score

Cal was very proud of his score on this game at Tully's (the glare makes it hard to see, but he's #8).

First major snowfall

Alana licking snow from the back deck.

Nice evening at home

Larry roasting marshmallows (note oven mitt!)

Snowy morning

It was snowing hard this morning (this is my bus stop), but by noon the sun was out and the snow was pretty much gone. More is on the way.

Lazy day

The weather was so beautiful today - we tromped around the park for a long time, breaking ice in puddles, but I left my phone at home, so no photos. This afternoon, Alana wanted to make pumpkin bread (she had some at school before the break). She did a great job and was so proud.

After dinner

Roxy and Max enjoyed some scraps from the prime rib

At the mall

Alana with Theodore

At the Samaritan Center

Alana took this one


Cal packing cookies



Alana packing cookies



Larry sharpening knives

At the mall

We were at the mall to see The Princess and the Frog.


Laughing at the mice in the pet store.

Snow

While much of the country was slammed last weekend, we haven't had a flake in over a week. Today it has been snowing all day, but hasn't accumulated much. Very pretty and seasonal.

Larry with "Morning Joe" coffee from Starbucks

Kitty helps with Hanukkah

Alana's pancakes

Alana dresses up her pancakes

Too pretty to eat

Thomson's fondue party

Cal enjoying a chocolate strawberry

Matt getting into the pound cake

At the Nutcracker Ballet

Wintery walk in the park

Temple Concord Shabbat dinner/Hanukkah party

Blessing over the wine



Matt arrived from PA just in time for dinner



After dinner

7th night of Hanukkah

6th night of Hanukkah

5th night of Hanukkah

Alana's friends Lily (L) and Emily (R) joined us for the festivities.

4th night of Hanukkah

More latkes!

Caleb shares the headphones of his new MP3 player with Alana.

How-to-Draw-Animals book

Alana is really enjoying this present.

Lunch in Skaneatles with TRH

Larry with Nina and Tom

1st night of Hanukkah

An iron skillet is a must for latke making.


Yummy latkes!!


"Awesome!"

Cold walk in the park

It's **freezing** but Roxy doesn't seem to mind.

Plowshares

I love this annual craft show sponsored by the Syracuse Peace Council. Here, the kids are enjoying the kids' area!

In the park

It was cold, but they didn't seem to notice.

Praying

Today Alana told me that sometimes she says the motzi silently before she eats. I have 2 completely opposing reactions to this. One is to be so pleased that she has embraced her Jewish heritage in this way. The other is to image 20 years from now her as a wig-wearing freak who won't visit her parents because we're not frum. Silly, I know.

Tucson's Day of the Dead Parade

This is Leo and Emily made up for the parade - Leo's necklace and earring have an image of Noah.

Alana in the park

Statue of Liberty

The original plan was D.C., but the train was too expensive. Then we planned to go into Manhattan, but thought the weather was too bad. We were planning to go to the Liberty Science Museum, but as we got closer, we thought the weather was nice enough to take the ferry to the Statue. It was actually pretty cold, but we had a good time.

Book report

Alana's book report was posted on the school bulletin board! There were only 6 reports on the board in a school with 400+ students!

Alana's first song

Alana wrote this song for the piano!!

Vietnamese soup

This is becoming our Sunday tradition after religious school.