Winter Family Gathering

The Weisbrod/Arnow family came to Seattle for the holidays. Sam was so excited to have a daily entourage. He met some local waste engineers and got to drive the truck...

At the park with Dad. 

Sam likes to climb the play-structure, push the merry-go-round and go down the slide.

When I got home from work, I got to sit back and enjoy some family time... Sam is learning how to cuddle some, but mostly he likes to run around.

Snuggling with Abba and Aunt Alexis.

Uncle Corey shows Sam how to light the Menorah.

Sam likes to share his milk with us and giggle.

He's learning to give kisses, but he's still pretty shy about it. This took me by surprise!

Playing with Kyle's childhood Cabbage-patch Kid!

The family ventures forth on Christmas Eve to the Ballard Locks where the boats pass between Puget Sound and Lake Washington. When the salmon spawn, you can watch them climb a ladder, too.

Walking in the neighborhood and another visit to our local park.

Alexis makes a killer cheesecake!

Christmas morning: all Sam really needs is a box to play in!

All dressed up, preppy but with attitude (note the skulls on the sweater), playing with his new "alphaberry."Better this than mom's phone...

Cups and spoons!

Steve has made a tradition of getting the family matching gifts each year. This year it was hats and socks!

Making latkes Christmas night. Steve called me a good "babooshka," meaning Jewish- housekeeper/cook. But Urban Dictionary also says that "Babooshkas are cantankerous old ladies in Russia who work in public buildings doing more or less nothing at all."

Go figure.

Sam so entranced with a toy, he falls over:

Playing with cups and spoons:

Talking with Steve (maybe he's telling Sam what a good Babooshka I am.)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!