Happy snowy new year!

Sledding around the yard!

Louise taking her new sled around the yard for a spin.

Louise's First Christmas

Yes, it's true. Louise is one of those kids we all marveled at during our own childhoods. "Wait wait, let me get this straight... Santa AND Hanukah Harry visit your house?" Yep they do and they were very generous. But more important than the stuffed animals and chunky puzzles, Louise celebrated her first Christmas with a big loving family and a delicious Christmas pudding straight from England. Merry Christmas little one.

Hanukah Party

First sled ride.

Sick Day

We had planned a major play date at our apt. today but Louise woke up sniffly, snotty and under the weather. So instead of paling around with other 10 month olds we opted for a pajama day. Pajama day with doll baby creepily tangled up in the bead maze.

Swing kid

3rd night

Louise's First Hanukah

We began Louise's first Hanukah with an authentic Jewish feast. Scott (under the guise of his super hero alter ego "Chef Boy Scotty") prepared both potato latkes and noodle kugel. The latkes were a tad oily (along with the entire kitchen) and the kugel was just a bit crunchy but all in all it was a successful homage to tradition. We even christened (possibly not the right word) Louise's special new menorah from aunt Joanne! Best of all, uncle Daniel joined us hot off his trip to Serbia and Hungary!

And now for a goyish inquiry, why are there so many ways to spell Hannukah? Chanukah? Hannukkah?

Cabin Fever

The chilly weather outdoors has made for some expressive play indoors. To her mother's chagrin, Louise finds the paper recycling bin irresistible and especially loves a good oatmeal canister drum. She's taken to chewing on all forms of child safety device, sneaks through barricades to get to the twinkling Christmas tree and skillfully makes up her face each meal time in the spirit of Lady Gaga. Do we have an artist on our hands? Only time will tell.

Louise's First Christmas Tree

Louise got her first Christmas tree yesterday. It rode to our apt. in her stroller. After gussying it up and setting it aglow it was transformed from a curbside Charlie Brown to a lovely table-top tannenbaum.

Being the ecumenically minded family that we are, we named it Chaim.

First Thanksgiving

As the pilgrims did so many years ago, Louise had a first Thanksgiving. Surrounded by her loving family she broke (or rather gnawed) on bread and enjoyed (at least visually) the bountiful flavors of the day. Her first pumpkin pie was a hit but everything else was a bit of a bust. She did however thoroughly enjoy that bread.