Xander and Clare

We got walloped by snow early last week. Xander enjoyed his very first
snow day excused from school.


Xander is "shoveling" with a broom and Clare is attempting to
catch snow with her butterfly net.


First failed attempts at a Christmas card photo!




Curious about the turkey, but not at all convinced he's going to try a bite.




Waiting patiently for Henry (and Kate and Jessica) to arrive
for Thanksgiving dinner.


Okay, I'm posting a million photos of this concert Xander put on with Kate
on Thanksgiving night because he had the time of his life. He's recently
become obsessed with a bunch of songs Kate's old band, Little Champions,
recorded years ago. We asked Kate to sit in on drums with Xander and play
along as we played some of his favorites from the CD. He was beyond excited,
and it was a blast to watch.






The room was dark, save for the stage light he turned on under his bed.
It was difficult to get good pictures without my flash.


I saw Little Champions play all these songs live many times back in the day.
It was so great to see Kate drumming along with Xander to old favorites.


Pure joy.




Clare jumped in and played along, too -- right on beat with
her pretend drums.


Jump!












We all went to Portland on Friday for a day of shopping, lunch, and walking.
It was a bit windy and rainy, but nothing we couldn't trudge happily through.


Running around, trying to put off saying goodbye on Saturday morning.


Hugs.


Waving goodbye.