A glance over the shoulder

A glance over the shoulder...that is all you should give the last year.  That is all I am giving it.  I am thankful for my family and friends.  I got to visit my hometown twice, and see many childhood friends that I miss dearly.  My children and my wife are happy and healthy and thriving in school and work.  I am thankful for another year of my family, my job teaching, the house we live in, and the ability to get up every day and accomplish things.  I hope to be a better person in the next year....running...finances...better father/husband/friend....and many more things.  For now, I am content to be with my wife and children and quietly slip into 2020.  So much time has passed, yet so much more remains (hopefully).  All I really do know is that the time we are given is all that we have, and I will try to make the most of it while I am here. 

-a

Early Risers

Daddy and Sam watch the Bears game on Thursday!  Go Bears!

Sam and I are awake with the sun this morning.  It is a quiet space, our living room this morning.  We make eggs and toast, and begin our morning with our respective glasses of milk and coffee.  A day of grandparents awaits us, but for now we enjoy some quiet time and listen to the sounds of munching on toast and the dull grumbling of our fireplace. 

Violet knows her team!

Our day has been one full of family and domestic responsibilities.  Granny and Ann drove up to make sugar cookies for Santa with the kids.  It is always nice to have them up!  Now we are all hanging out on the couch with some college football on in the background.  I also drove into the city to get my dad for the evening.  I am working with him on learning his new smartphone and how to operate it.  It is truly a new day for dad.

Violet should start for the Bears!

At the end of the night, Sam couldn't keep up with the game.

Daddy gets to chaperone Violet's 2nd grade field trip.

At the play in Naperville.  Beauty and the Beast.

Baking cookies with Granny.  Life is good.

Sam and flour.

The menorah and Chanukkah bushes are out!

 

Violet made ninja cookies.

I am sure daddy..I mean Santa...will enjoy these cookies!  

Violet and Granny play dreidel.

Zayde entering his contacts into his new smartphone.  Look out world!

Thanksgiving 2019

Another wonderful Turkey Trot in the books!  I need to run more, but it was another 10k and a lot of fun!

Another fantastic trip to Virginia for Thanksgiving.  This was my 20th year making the journey.  There are no other traditions I hold as dear as seeing my family each year in November.  Each year, Uncle Fred and Aunt Irene host an amazing weekend full of laughter, hugs, stories, and amazing food.  Over the years I have been so lucky to be a part of this annual gathering, and also to see my cousins grow up, my sister has also started attending, and now I am bringing my wife and children....amazing to think that I started as a 19-year-old flying in from Washington...now I'm 39 and drive with my family!  How times change yet stay the same in so many ways.  The drive home is a nice way to reflect on our visit and life itself, and also give me some time to prepare for life waiting for us upon arrival home.  We arrived back home late last night, and are just now starting to arise from our holiday slumber.  While leaves are ready to be raked, and laundry ready for folding...I cannot help but first post our pictures and relive the memories of our latest adventures before returning to life as we know it!  Happy Thanksgiving.

-a

Our arrival on Wednesday evening!  Always so nice to give hugs and see what everyone has been up to!

Pasta dinner after Uncle Stuart arrives!

Riccardo and Violet.  She loves him so much!  MMA buddies!

Sam decided to skip the Drumstick Dash in favor of throwing sticks into the lake and watching the ducks.

Sam on the lake.

Sam and stick outside on Thanksgiving morning.

Looking up into the sky. 

Uncle Fred and Sam playing kick.

Uncle Fred playing songs to Sam.  

Uncle Fred singing Blackbird.  So wonderful!

(from left) Sam, Emma, and Riccardo finish the Trot!  

Just before running another Trot!

Emma and Sam on the couch.

I love this light.  It is the first light I see when entering the house, and it cast such a warm glow.  So welcoming. 

My place setting, card designed by Audrey.  So many things to be thankful for.

Abel and Kim.  I am so lucky.

Violet, Andrew, Eden, and Audrey at Thanksgiving dinner.

Riccardo.

Emma and Riccardo.  Newlyweds.  

Emma, Audrey, and Sam.  Cousins.  

Violet loves Sam.

Violet, Sam, and Audrey.  Cousins.

Abel and Eden.  Siblings.  

Aunt Eden and Audrey.  

The annual pumpkin custard with cream and glass candy.  This is the single item that most represents Thanksgiving to me....this and the figs.

Aunt Irene and Sam set the table.

Sarah made so many figs for the wedding, that she decided to not make them for Thanksgiving...except a secret small batch for me!  I am so spoiled!  

Violet and Riccardo.

Emma, Sam, and Aunt Sheila laughing at face filters on the phone.  Such wonderful happiness!

Violet and Sam playing at the ARC Park.  

Sam and Violet sliding!

Sam and Violet playing at the ARC Park.  What a beautiful day!

Sam snacking on the couch.  

Sam looking at the Shabbat candles.

Sam helping blow out the candles.

Aunt Eden and Audrey playing a game.

Around the coffee table just being a family.

Emma, Sam, and pizza.

Before we hit the road, we brought Sugar Shack doughnuts for our goodbye breakfast.  Bacon-Maple, Chocolate frosted, Samoa, Salted Caramel, Red Velvet, and Blueberry Cake.  Very tasty.