"It's Christmastime in the city..."

Before our out-of-town guests headed back to their homes, we spent one evening strolling around downtown Boston, taking in the lights and the sights in our beautiful city.

Standing in Boston Common

The window displays at Macy's

My brother and sister-in-law enjoying the lights

The juxtaposition of old and new

The gleaming dome of the State House

"Thy leaves are so unchanging..."

Thanksgiving Festivities

Although Christmas will soon be upon us, I wanted to look back on the special Thanksgiving visit we had with both sets of grandparents and my brother and his new wife.  They all made the trip to Boston to spend the holiday with us.  We shared a lovely meal, laughed until we cried playing games, and enjoyed being together.  This Thanksgiving holiday reminded me to be grateful for two healthy, beautiful girls, a comfortable home, the exciting city in which we live, and the love of family.

Tyler and his dad carving the turkey

Making gravy

The youngest member of our party

Good food and good company

Our family friend playing a duet with Madelyn (can you see her little guitar?)

Two Months

"I went to the woods..."

A few weeks ago, one of our good friends invited us to join her and another friend for a Saturday morning hike.  It was a quintessential fall day -- a vibrant blue sky, a crisp chill in the air, and bright foliage still hanging onto the trees.  We ended up making our way around Walden Pond in Concord, MA.  The location was made famous by transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau, who lived in a tiny cabin (10' x 15'!) on its shore for two years, beginning in 1845.  In his work, Walden, he wrote, "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately... I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life..."  As we spent the morning taking in the beauty of God's creation, I think we experienced a glimpse of living deeply, as Thoreau described.

Three girls...

one Winnie the Pooh sleeper

First Haircut

After three years, we decided that Madelyn needed her first haircut -- nothing drastic (since we love her curls!), just a trim.  We went to our lovely stylist at the salon up the street, and she did a great job of helping Madelyn feel comfortable and have a good experience.

Faces

Which expression is the cutest?  I can't decide!

Halloween fun!