The Christmas Season

It was a busy month for me and Eleanor with twice weekly swim classes, violin lessons and daily practices, art classes, parties, field trips, and December merry-making galore.  I missed photographing most of it.  Mike came home on Saturday, December 21st, and his parents flew in two days later for a cozy week of good holiday cheer.  Judy photographed some of that so here is a little of what Christmas looked like around these parts...

Nutcracker Tea

Another year enjoying the abridged, but still beautiful, version of the Nutcracker performed by the Northwest Dance Theater.  Just me and E, Mike is in Austin.

Cookie Day

Mike is in Austin for most of December, but he found cheap tickets and flew home this weekend for some family time.  We squeezed in a St. Clair holiday tradition we call Cookie Day.  Eleanor made doll sized treats too.

Holiday Card 2013

18 for Thanksgiving

Kid table before...

Kid table with kids!...

Set for 10...

Let's eat!...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Halloween!

This year we added some homemade Dia de los Muertos to our decor collection. Sugar skull and flower designs by Eleanor and Stephanie.  Also notable this year, Eleanor carved her own pumpkin start to finish without us pitching in... even the stuff with the knife.  Eight is different.

Suzuki Halloween at the Schnitzer Concert Hall

It wasn't on the main stage, in fact, it wasn't on any stage and the room (as you can see in the photo) wasn't big enough for the enthusiasm of Portland's Suzuki community.  But.  The people at the Oregon Symphony hosted a play-through open to any Suzuki student in the city.  And, you could wear your Halloween costume. If you hunt, you'll see Luna Lovegood in her SpectraSpecs buried in there!