Christmas Break in (many) photos

For the rest of December
(in three parts: Wilmington, NYC, and Philadelphia)

I made four loaves of bread for my friend Brandy's Christmas lunch

(this is for my dear friend over at Tortillas and Oranges who successfully apprenticed me in the technique)

 ...we took Aunt Jayne to see the Christmas displays at Longwood Gardens

 

...we went bowling with the Andersons, where this boy surprised us with exhibiting a double ear infection making for a last minute Drs. visit, 

but where Jayne got the high score of 137

(made only slightly less impressive by the fact

that in 2nd place was 2yr old Wyatt with 134).

....went to NYC for Christmas

....actually getting Adam and Sharon to go to Rockerfeller Center

and brave the crowds of tourists

 

...Christmas Eve dinner with some NYC friends

....happy kids on Christmas morning

....Olivia's handmade bookmark for Aunt Jayne (and one for Max too)

...Jayne's first hotdog from Gray's Papaya

....checking out what Dad looked like as a little kid

....getting Adam and Sharon to actually go to the

American Museum of Natural History and brave the crowds of tourists

...making sure Jayne doesn't leave Philly without having had both a proper cheesesteak and a pulled-pork w/ brocoli rabe sandwich from Reading Terminal Market

....a sweet boy whose only present from Santa was a binky clip

(but having no complaints about that)

(p.s.  this photo was taken at Reading Terminal Market by a man who offered to take a picture of me and Saul together referring to us as "yous guys."  I heart Philly.) 

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....Whoopee Pies for dessert

....a visit to the Franklin Institute and the Body World's exhibit (very cool!)

....cheese fondue for dinner

And other fun (un-photodocumented stuff) like...

...catching up with a few NYC friends at church

(and missing the last two hours of meetings because of it...oops)

...getting to see White Christmas on Broadway w/ Jayne and Sharon

(and taking a couple of rides on the elevators at the Marriott Marquis just for kicks)

...a day at the MoMa and the kids' request to see Starry Night

...two trips to Chinatown for knock-offs

...a piano recital with the neighbors

...seeing Sherlock Holmes

....a tour of Independence Hall and seeing the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia

and, of course,

...lots and lots of good food, fun conversation, and game playing.

So When Olivia asked me the other day when she gets to go back to school because she really misses school, I was all, like, "What, this hasn't been the best time ever and you want to go back to school?" 

Some people!