Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city, Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty

Mom, Grace, Grandma and Grandpa stayed downtown last weekend to do some Christmas shopping.


Trying on Grandpa's hat.

Getting ready to go swimming with baby.

In front of the hotel Christmas tree.

With her cousins.

Our beryllium sphere is... is wire with plaster around it. And our digital conveyor is... it's Christmas tree lights. It's a decoration. It's all fake

Once again, we met up with Paul, Amy and Kaitlyn for a little winter time zoo Christmas light fun. This year we set our sights on the Broofield Zoo, still feeling burned by the lack of polar bears at Lincoln Park. Last year was freakishly cold. This year, we were walking around in the middle of a snow storm.


Grace riding the merry go round. It took her a few minutes to finally settle on the Zebra as her steed of choice.

$8.95 for a picture with Santa and having to stand in a long line to boot? This Santa let us take his picture for free.

Bundled up and crammed into the stroller in the parking lot while Dad tries to show Paul and Amy where we parked.

Some Videos

Getting her groove on.

Trying on Daddy's shoes.

First Snow

6+ inches of snow last night and mom's school called it a snow day (dad still had to go to work) so she and Grace went outside to play in the snow for the first time.

Riding in her new sled.

Wearing the Thacher shirt given to her by Aunt Mary Ellen.

Either being hugged or strangled by Kaitlyn at Liam's first birthday party.

Post Thanksgiving

We had a little family friendly game day get together the weekend after Thanksgiving. This is Grace, Kaitlyn and Liam hanging out by the fireplace.

Looking like she and Liam are plotting an escape.

Jake begrudgingly waiting to have his picture taken for this year's Christmas card.

Not sure if she's quite ready for potty training.

The Day After Thanksgiving

Grace decorated our Christmas tree for the first time.

She wanted to try on the Mickey wizard hat ornament.

Jake did not.

Family Visit

Aunt Mary Ellen was in town for a Thanksgiving visit so she came over for lunch with Grandma and Grandpa.

You can't have Thanksgiving without turkey. That's like Fourth of July without apple pie, or Friday with no two pizzas.

Grace inspecting the giant inflatable turkey in the back yard.

Helping cook dinner.

In her Thanksgiving turkey apron.

Chowing down.

Do not panic, do not panic. We are trained professionals. Now, stay calm. We are going around the leaf.

Playing in our neighbor's leaf pile.

Wearing Dad's shoes.

Out to lunch with her friend Roberta.

This night my mind was filled with Halloween - there was to be a pageant representing our county's agricultural products; I was to be a ham.

Grace had a busy week getting ready for Halloween.

Today she visited Mom at school for their Halloween celebration and parade.

Then she went trick or treating with Mom and Dad.

Yesterday, she had a party with all of her friends from her playgroup.

On Sunday, we too her to the botanical gardens to see the model trains all decorated for Halloween.