This is the end of the concert photo, with the Cirque performers in the front.
We got our Christmas Tree up the Sunday after Thanksgiving. For the first time in 13 years, I got help setting up the tree and putting up decorations! Thanks again, Monica. I am grateful you share my passion for the season and you did an amazing job on the tree.
I wanted to capture Lexi next to her first Christmas Tree, but she couldn't seem to hold still long enough for me to get a quality photo. Oh well, she's still cute!
"Santa George" oversaw the decorating from his perch on the back of the couch.
The weekend following Thanksgiving I made a weekend visit to Vancouver, WA, to attend my nephew Callum's baptism. We had a mini-reunion at my sister Alissa's new home in Ridgefield (she and my sister Katy are in the background) when my parents (who had just gotten back 2 days earlier from their Germanic visit with my brother Damon's family) and my brother Matt & Family arrived as well. I had to snap a quick photo with my phone of my adorably-always-tan nephew, Brian Mario.
One of the coolest things about Alissa's new home is a large room just off the garage that easily fits their trampoline. No more worry about rain ruining play time! (Callum is blurred, but Keira, my youngest neice, came out clear in the back.)
I had finals a couple weeks ago. In English 101, we had an in-class essay, which I had little doubt I could easily pass. (I got a 98% on it actually, my best essay score all quarter.)
I was less confident in my History 148 class, however, and took the day off from work to study... which mostly meant read the 120 or so pages of textbook I had fallen behind on! Not wanting to be left out, my cat, Oliver, joined in on the studying. Ultimately I got a 92% on the test (70 out of 76 multiple choice), but thanks to a grading curve, received a 94%.
I am pleased to report that my grades are in and I passed with flying colors -- a 4.0 in my English 101 class and a 3.9 in my History 148! (My Golf class was so easy it is a shame to even mention that 4.0, but an A is an A! Haha) 
I am pleased to report that my grades are in and I passed with flying colors -- a 4.0 in my English 101 class and a 3.9 in my History 148! (My Golf class was so easy it is a shame to even mention that 4.0, but an A is an A! Haha) I will enjoy this Christmas break while it lasts, catching up on recreational reading before the requisite reading begins again.
Lastly, I recommend visiting Downtown Seattle at least ONCE during the holiday season. The lights are colorful, the sounds of carols fun, the annual gingerbread contest entries are amazing, and the large star in the SE corner of Macys is GORGEOUSLY bright and beautiful! (The photo doesn't do it justice.)
From my family to yours -
have a very Merry Christmas!!
