New Year. What?!

2020.  How'd that happen?  Usually I find January is a month that drags on and on, but not this one!  Warp speed ahead!  Perhaps an indication of the coming year?  Christmas was casual, and calm.  Thanks to my parents for hosting yet another elegant holiday party, we were able to see those familiar faces we see but once a year. 
This past weekend was Divisionals in CT.  Scott, Ethan and I drove the 5 hours one way for Ethan to compete.  Fiona remained in Maine with Gammy and Gampy.  They enjoyed meals out, a trip to the movies, and walks with Cullen.  Ethan was the only one on his team (4 of which had qualified for this particular competition) to make it through the first round and compete the second day.  He finished 8th in all of New England for his age group. We're proud.
Kids are looking forward to Ellie staying with us over the February break again this year.  I think that makes at least 4 times!  My sister's company always schedules their conferences for this time...So, while she's in FL, Ellie will be nice and cool in Maine!
The year is off to a fast and furious start.  I'll try to keep up.

Ahhh...the holidays.  A time for all the crazies to get together.

Nope.  Not a new BBgun...just a pair of pajama pants.  He's enthusiastic.

Here's a more "normal" reaction.

Christmas morning with his new book, shirt and scarf.

Putting together some new WWII kits.

Fiona's latest sculpture.

Kids are painting some VERY old records we grabbed at the Boston public library.  They were free!

Ethan's.

Fiona's.

Scott.  In Walmart.

Ethan and Beckett building a sled from recyclables.

I took the kids on a walk to practice taking pictures in snow.

Ethan took this one.

Kids and their friends worked together on this guy.

Fiona and Gammy went for a walk at the Audubon.

View out hotel window in Stanford, CT.

About to hit the hot tub.

Focused and ready.

Between two proud coaches.

And now we prepare for Valentine's Day!!!

Fa la-la-la-la. La. La. La. La.

     Oh boy.  This is what I get when I procrastinate between entries...  A LOT has transpired since Halloween.
       It has snowed numerous times, and is snowing as I write.  Fiona and Ethan had their artwork on display for the annual Christmas "First Friday" downtown.  Gammy was able to make it this year due to the fact that she was up for a little dog-sitting!  With Cullen safe in the hands of my mom, the four of us spent one luxurious night at the Lennox in Boston. We made our pilgrimage to Faneuil Hall for a look at the tree, the people and to select this years ornaments.  This past weekend both kids competed in the regional competition for bouldering.  Fiona did her best, but was unable to move on (just qualifying for regionals is something to be proud of).  Ethan progressed to divisionals which will be held in CT in January! If he moves on from there we will head to Oregon!
     The first day of December we were lucky to have great weather for Gampy's car parade!  All three grandkids and gammy squeezed into the car and had a blast throwing candy out the windows along the parade route.  Cullen was a brave boy with Scott and I, and stood through all the loud sirens, booming drums and tubas for his first parade.
     And let's not forget!  We had a tremendously educational and entertaining visit to the Maine Military Museum!  Highly recommend this place to anyone in the area.

Kids and I took a field trip to the art museum.

We spent the night at Ellie's new house and celebrated her and Gammy's birthdays!

Happy 50th!

Then all together again for the Merrimac Christmas Parade and tree decorating at Gammy and Gampy's.

Boys in the front.

Girls in the back.

Fiona picked the winning tree this year.

I challenged Ethan to bake a cake in school the other day.

He not only met expectations...but passed them!

Kids and friends at their art show.

All dressed up!

Managed to squeeze in a lovely brunch with Sandra in Ogunquit.

While visiting the Maine Military Museum, we were lucky to meet a WWII veteran!

Here he was back then.  He survived the Battle of the Bulge AND D-Day!

So very much to take in...

Having spent about two hours there already...the fine volunteers offered us a chance to handle some original Civil War weapons!

Here is Ethan overseeing the baked goods table at the soup kitchen we have been volunteering at.

Fiona prefers to take care of the bread.  It's a chance for people to take what they need as well as sit down to a hot meal...EVERY DAY.  That's a lot of donations!

How is it that they have the same smile????

Ethan got some great photos of Boston on our latest trip.

Kids got to select 12 candies each at the Lundt store.

These are the 67 air fresheners in the UBER we took.  I was gagging inside the entire time.  In fact, even the picture elicits a response.

Ornament shopping.

Yup.  That's a wood burning fire place that was in our room!!!

Gampy joined Gammy for the dog-sitting.

Pretty Portland.

Getting ready to kill a climb!

Quietly waiting her turn.

Flash back to my Zevon...who absoluteley LOVED the snow.

Look at that smile!

Seems like a second ago...but this was our first (and hopefully only)Christmas away from home in Texas.