12.29.2011

Salt Lake Christmas
























Christmas came and went in a snowless, foggy haze of coughs and runny noses for all four of us.... but it was still memorable to have our first Christmas at home in Salt Lake City.

We shared Christmas eve with our neighbors (Scott, Shannon, Farah and Gunner) complete with prime rib, popovers, roasted vegetables, wild rice soup and strawberry, rhubarb creme brulee. Santa even dropped a few early gifts off in a bag on the front stoop for the kids.

Christmas morning started quietly at our house with Finn methodically riffling through his stocking. Once all the contents were fully assessed we settled in at the kitchen table for parfaits prepared by Chris (yogurt, granola, raspberries and whipped cream).
What a treat!










We unwrapped gifts from beneath the tree. Finn was sweet helping Nola open her first gifts and was overjoyed with what his packages contained. As much as he complained in the weeks leading up to Christmas that, "surprises were hard" and he didn't really like surprises, I think he would agree now that the wait was worth it. Lunch was a treat too. My crazy foodie antics must be rubbing off on Chris. Not only did he plan for these amazing sandwiches but he even paused to photograph them before we ate. (Baguette with sopressa, fontina cheese, shredded fennel, spring greens, and a sauce of mayo, capers, paprika and grainy Dijon mustard)
And isn't this the same person who usually gives me grief for taking photos when we should be eating the food? I love it!

To round out the night, Audrey came down the mountain with Ruby and Owen to join us for Christmas dinner. Chip was working.

Did we really not take any pictures of this? Ruby and Owen thoroughly enjoyed following their big cousin Finn between rooms and doing laps around the kitchen/living room loop. Good times!








Thankful for Another Year

This November Chris's grandma (Gammy) had her 90th birthday. We were fortunate to be able to join everyone in Ohio for the festivities. Was she ever surprised when we opened the study door revealing our huddled mass, of 13 adults and 7 great-grandchildren, in song. As a grand-finale to the evening we gathered around a slide-show, choreographed by Derek, portraying her beautiful, vivacious life. Ninety years old; amazing (and so hard to fathom)!

Our stay extended through my birthday and Thanksgiving allowing for lots of quality family time, numerous cakes, wonderful food and even a quick visit to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.



Finn was a pro at sorting animals into categories of bird, mammal, amphibian, reptile and insect. How does he know this so well already? I guess he is the son of a wildlife loving science geek, teacher.



































Nola: sitting strong on her own and interested in smearing food everywhere under the guise of feeding herself.




































Our little "gamer" taking in a late night game of Parcheesi with Daddy, Nana and Papa.