December Skiing

Ski season is here!  We have officially put the kids in "the program."  And guess what?  They're loving it!  Even in the 3 weeks that they've been on the ski team they're learning curves are already huge.  We realize that it's really only a mater of time before we can't keep up with them, but for now they're both grinning ear to ear and excited to share with us their new confidence and skills.  (We'll skip the part about Josh on icy runs and everything reverting back to square one). 

Celebrating...

Since we shared Thanksgiving with family, we were able to spend the first night of Hanukkah with Dan, Roz, Dad and Uncle Bob.  Due to the enthusiasm of D2 and Mihky Bus for sharing the traditions of Hanukkah with the boys, they are enthusiastic about all things related to the celebration (dreidels, singing the prayer, lighting the candles, sharing the celebration with others).  When we left Half Moon Bay we spent the night with our friends Tim & Lydia and the boys were able to light the candle with James.  When we returned home we lit the candles with family members via skype and face time.  Josh and Ben happily took part in many of the arts and craft fun that came in a huge care package from Mike & Mihky.  When I asked Josh why we celebrated Hanukkah he said, "Because Uncle Dan does." 

The photos below are from our Christmas tree adventure.  In Dan's family tradition the Christmas tree was always put up the day after Thanksgiving, since we were out of town we did it on Saturday afternoon.  Originally we thought we'd go back to the tree farm we went to last year, but then had this great idea to go visit our new property and harvest a tree.  While the tree isn't the traditional tree (and gave Dan a huge allergy attack), it has a special meaning for the fun adventures that lay in our future.

Happy Thanksgivukah

Happy Thanksgivukah from Half Moon Bay!  A day to be thankful for.

Faux Mustache Family Photos

Josh made this mustache on a stick at school the other week and I took it as a great opportunity to take some silly photos.

Brian & Stephanie

Congratulations to Brian and Stephanie, who tied the knot yesterday in Lyons, Colorado and then celebrated into the evening with many friends and family in Boulder.  I feel so fortunate to be a part of the Ritter family, even if the family tree is a little confusing (just say cousins, it's much easier to understand).  But having been to the twins' bar mitzvah while I was in college and Matt's bar mitzvah later on, I wouldn't miss an opportunity to help celebrate another milestone with this amazing family.  Three cheers to the happy & beautiful newleyweds.  

Halloween

I should've posted these photos last week, but for those who know the Halloween mayhem, it goes without saying to say we were busy and then exhausted.  For more photos of the Inn's haunted pathway and the haunted house click here and for a few more photos of the Halloween parade click here.  We gave out over 1400 pieces of candy at our house... craziness!

a weekend in Healdsburg

Congratulations to Ted & Heather!  Dan and I snuck away for a weekend in Healdsburg to cheer on our friend Ted.  Such a delight to see Ted grinning ear to ear.  We loved sharing our "fun Ted" stories with some of the other wedding guests, that time he invited himself to Tahoe for Thanksgiving and brought the turkey, the time he broke his neck but came to visit us in New Zealand with his neckbrace and we went sea kayaking (I was 5 months pregnant with Ben at the time), camping on Cache Creek, skiing at Alpine.  The wedding was at Asti Winery in Cloverdale and absolutely stunning.    

And since we had time to spare before the wedding we spent a hour or so at The Shed in Healdsburg, chilling at the Fermentation Bar "Unusally offering by Tap."

And before the wedding we went for a hike in the redwoods with our friend Gabrielle.  It was amazing to walk around such large trees, the largest being over 300 feet tall and 13 feet wide.