Christmas Eve

Ir is a special time of year, when we enjoy the Christmas holiday.  While tomorrow there will be a seemingly endless period of unwrapping gifts, it is more satisfying to simply enjoy being around my family and watch my children and wife have fun and be happy.

The first few days of winter break have been spent simply resting, watching shows, short walks in the cold, and naps.  Tonight we wrap gifts while Kim makes another fantastic Christmas Eve beef wellington.  Tomorrow morning we will wake early and open gifts at our hos bring me, then drive to Indiana for two more Christmas celebrations with Kim's family.

The lights at night are my favorite part of the holiday season.  While it is dark and cold, the colored lights and displays bring a feeling of happiness as we drive in silence.  How lucky we all are, to have each other, be alive, and healthy.  Truly, there is nothing I could possibly want more than health and happiness for all of my family.  I am so thankful for this.  Tonight the kids go to sleep with visions of gifts for tomorrow.  Tonight I will fall asleep, thankful for the gifts I have already.

-a

Looking up at our tree.

Sam:  Professional lounger

Sam lounging with his show in the evening.

My first attempt at cinnamon rolls.  Not too bad!

Violet and Sam snuggling on the couch.

My coteacher got me an FBI mug, which is now part of my coffee mug collection!

Pecan sea salt caramel thumbprints.

Mexican Hot Chocolate cookies.

Chubby Chip cookies (baking powder instead of baking soda)

Peanut butter cookies. 

Sam and Oskar after a long walk.

A picture of my dad in his 20's.  Wow!

Sam and Oskar chilling on the floor.

Violet helping decorate Christmas cookies when Granny visited!

Coffee from Virginia.  Thank you Uncle Fred and Aunt Irene!

Our tree.

A boy and his dog.

Audrey and her book from Uncle Fred and Aunt Irene.

Sam and his book from Uncle Fred and Aunt Irene.

Violet and her book from Uncle Fred and Aunt Irene

Thanksgiving

Another year running the Richmond Turkey Trot.  So cool to have Riccardo join the family!

My heart leaves Richmond once again overflowing.  The trips there and back are a blur, but our time there this year was made special once again with family gathering and sharing a fantastic dinner around the table on Confederate Ave.  I do not have much to contribute to the festivities this year, but I found myself continually stepping back to enjoy watching my children interact with everyone.  There is something so special to watch your children smile and laugh and play with everyone around them.  To see my cousin, Emma, so happy with her fiance, Riccardo, is wonderful.  To see my cousin, Sam, act goofy and play with my little Sam is fantastic.  To see my sister, mother, and father sitting around the table for the first time ever on Thanksgiving...that is something I will always remember.  Too many memories and moments to write about.  Below are the pictures, and the moments.  So much love.  As always, we look forward to next year.

-a

Hitting the road to Richmond.  

Audrey is not that far behind cousin Emma!

Sam slept hard on his first night in Richmond!

My mother meets Sam for the first time and then goes for a walk with Aunt Irene!

Traditional post-run Starbucks.

Emma and Riccardo.  

The "normal" Turkey Trot medal, and the annual Orelove Trot medal!

Sam spinning and snacking in the kitchen.

Why yes...yes I will have a banana.

Playing on the kitchen floor with Aunt Irene and Uncle Fred.

Sarah's figs...it is officially Thanksgiving.

Aunt Irene's beautiful centerpieces.

She's almost not my little girl anymore.

My mom, sister, Audrey, and Violet eating Thanksgiving dinner.

Violet helping with the cranberry boats!  

I have always loved the cacti in Richmond.

Our order at Pearlies in Richmond for breakfast.  

Audrey's blintzes.  

Playing at the Arc Park

Cousins at the Arc Park

I love this picture.  

Chasing bubbles...just like his dad.

Sam and Sam.  

Uncle Fred on the same level as Sam.  

Sam is great at getting kitchen stuff out...and leaving it there.

Another great shot of walking with Sam.

Happy strollers enjoying the Turkey Trot.

The Bird Brains have reunited!

Riccardo gets his medal from Violet.

Aunt Irene is always amazing.  The girls adore her.

More playing with Uncle Fred.

Violet was over the moon when she found out Riccardo was an MMA fighter.  They sparred all weekend.

Breakfast at Pearlies with my sister and dad.  

Uncle Stuart, my mom, and Sam munching on eggs.

Literally hanging out with Riccardo.

Girls climbing at the Arc Park.

Sam swinging at the ARC Park.

Happy Sam.

Ricarrdo and the girls.

Sam is always ready to sweep you off your feet.

Dad and Sam.

Sam playing peek-a-boo!