Trimming the tree

This year we decided to go out to everyone's favorite Christmas tree farm and cut down our own tree.  It was a sunny day, not too cold, and we enjoyed tromping through the snow, watching Daddy cut down the tree, and taking the tractor back to the store with our tree.

We joked about getting this tree, about 18 inches high.

Hot cocoa in the store after cutting down our tree.

On December 1 Jeff and I attended our first of what I hope will be many Vera House galas. More than 700 people were there to support efforts to end violence and abuse in our community. It was powerful and meaningful and fun, and I was very touched to be there. I am beyond thrilled to be part of this amazing organization. And look at these badass new colleagues of mine! I am so lucky.

The new job has meant getting used to a new schedule. I go to work early, usually around 7:45, and Daddy gets everyone dressed and eating breakfast and on the bus before going to work. Then I'm home after school when everyone gets off the bus, and we have a leisurely afternoon making dinner and eating snacks and doing homework and practicing piano and playing in the yard with the other kids from the neighborhood. This is Reed doing double-duty at the stove, both whisking his hot cocoa and sauteing onions for soup.

Back from Sanibel for Thanksgiving

I almost never post here about what I do in my day-to-day but I am pretty proud of my involvement with the Central New York Women's Bar Association. Last week we celebrated and recognized Judge Rosemary Pooler of the Second Circuit (one level below the US Supreme Court) for her contributions to the judiciary and to our chapter. She is still on our board as an ex-officio member and we appreciate her commitment to our chapter. It's pretty neat to know a federal circuit court judge. Here are the other impressive women I know because of their involvement with the CNYWBA, including the chief bankruptcy judge for the Northern District of New York, above, and a federal magistrate judge, below, along with a woman who is a partner at the largest law firm in Syracuse and (I hope) will be a judge in her own right some day soon. These women have been mentors and friends to me and have made Syracuse a much friendlier and more welcoming place!

Helping Grandma Joanie in the garden

On a very cold and windy November day (or so I heard--I did not venture outside) Theo and Beckett took Grandma Joanie up on her invitation to help her clean up the garden. They used clippers to cut down brush and plants and then dragged the tarp full of cuttings over to the compost pile.

Dinner visits with Mama Sara are a soothing relief for Mama but the boys look forward to them almost as much as I do! Reed goes to Sara about as readily as he goes to me, when he has a boo boo or other ouchie. Can you blame him? Look at that beautiful smile!

We've been taking lots of fall strolls, on foot and on the bikes.

And after a summer of playing and swimming and doing just about everything outside, it's nice to find some good books to read and rediscover toys we already have in the house.

A COLD but beautiful day at the playground.

Halloween 2018

Beckett as Wolverine, Reed as Cinderella, and Theo as Black Panther.

One of our favorite decorated houses on our street.

Theo with his haul.

Beckett helping Grandma Joanie hand out the last of 500 pieces of candy to the hordes.

Beckett's haul.

Reed's haul.

Our park this beautiful time of year.

I actually followed the directions on the pumpkin carving kit and, what do you know? They came out well!