Alyssa's Birthday, January 28, 2013

Vivian and Stephen came over to join us for a Thai food birthday supper at Alyssa's.  They arrived looking party-ready!  I noticed Yuri looked at them quite intently for a while after they arrived.  He had been unable to nap that afternoon, given his excitement over having selected the cup cakes, balloon, and a monkey-game gift when we went shopping that morning, and, knowing Vivian and Stephen were going to come.  He jumped out of bed after only fifteen minutes to announce very brightly, "I had a good nap"!

A brief visit to Goshen and Jackson

Janice and I enjoyed a very brief visit with Mother, Don, Rachel, Evelyn, Alan and Eleanor, and the Linds this past week.  The after-lunch photo is hardly flattering, yet it is very natural.  It was good seeing Mother and Rachel looking well. 

On the way to the Detroit airport, we stopped in Jackson to visit with Frank and Lori.  We spent some time in their jewelry shop.  Customers came in, despite the unexpected dump of 5 inches of snow.  We drove during several whiteouts, which was no fun (or the wrong kind of fun).  Again, I took only one photo, but the food was delicious:  salmon done in a lovely mustard sauce freshly made, and stir fry veggies of all sorts.  The rich vegan pie came later.

'Tis the season to be jolly with family in Seattle

Kay and I, along with Evan and Janice, got to have our extended families gather together in our home this year on Thursday evening, December 27.  We happily anticipate this is the first of many future ones to come!  This was the first year that Aaron and Julia visited in our home in Seattle, and the first Christmas season gathering for Gareth who clearly enjoyed spending a little quality time with each one of us.