Happy Holidays!

Seasons Greetings, Feliz Navidad, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Festivus, Happy New Year, peace and joy to one and all.

We hope all of our family and friends enjoy this holiday season and may the new year bring you health and happiness!

Jared (Talia's brother) visits Chicago with us!

Here we all are on top of the Sears Tower.

Jared looks over the view below!

The city lights were beautiful from the top of the Sears!

After visiting the Sears Tower, we were ready for some serious DEEP DISH PIZZA-yum!

Jared is about to try his first piece of Chicago deep dish--and he really liked it--even after his third piece!

Ethan and Dana pose for a shot after eating.

After this long day, we were ready to kick back and relax! Ethan shows Jared his Nintendo DS.

The next day, we pack in the sight-seeing. Here's Jared and Ethan at the dolphin show at the Shedd Aquarium.

A picture of a Beluga Whale (my favorite exhibit at the Shedd!).

Next, we're off to the Museum of Science and Industry to see the German U-505 submarine.

Here's Ethan standing next to one of the U-505 propellers.

Next, Ethan takes a little walk on the moon--one giant step for an 8 year old.

Talia and Ethan are trying to create something here using light and motion. (We were not having a lot of success.)

After Chicago, we returned home for a delicious and filling Thanksgiving dinner with friends.

Merry Christmas!

Before leaving, we gave Jared his Christmas present, an I.U. fleece. It probably would have been more useful in Chicago than in Florida, so maybe we should have given it to him BEFORE we went to Chicago, hmmm.

Happy Halloween!

Look out for traveling bands of gypsies...

They're lazy and like to sit in vibrating recliners in the mall and ask for candy.

After hitting the books, it's time for kicking the ball!

Here's Ethan fighting hard for the ball against, um, a fellow teammate. Well, it gets better...

Here he is actually playing against the opposite team! Yeah, hurrah, go Ethan!

Here he is just looking cute (he does that so well--HEY, I am his mom!).

Ethan's first day of Third grade--whoo-hoo!

Vacation is over and now it's time to hit the books!

The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World

Main Street USA

Ethan & Talia waiting in line for the bus. We did A LOT of that.

Big Thunder Mountain--our first and favorite ride. Can you tell how excited I am? And we're not even going downhill yet!

Ethan on Big Thunder Mountain--although here, it looks like he's questioning whether this truly is his favorite ride.

Ethan & Dana fight Zurg along with Buzz Lightyear.

How excited can I be to go on It's a Small World? VERY!

Jared and Ethan looking around the ghostly surroundings of The Haunted Mansion (p.s. no photography allowed, please).

Ethan gets it right in the face on Splash Mountain!

The People Mover!!

We met a lot of our favorite characters at Disney!

Chip and Dale are Ethan's very favorite, so it was a special treat to meet them together!

Ethan with everyone's pal, Mickey Mouse!

The family with Donald Duck.

Here's a couple of goofy characters!

The family with Pluto!

Ethan gets a BIG hug from sweet Minnie!

Ethan & Talia get a big hello from Mickey at Chef Mickey's! (and yummy--Mickey cooks up a good meal!)

Dana, Jared and Tigger are having a tiggerific time at the Crystal Palace!

Pooh Bear stops by for a picture with brother and sister, Jared and Talia.

Jared especially loved getting a hug from Piglet!

Eeyore stops by to give Ethan a big hug.

EPCOT at Walt Disney World

Dana and Ethan ride one of Ethan's favorite rides at Epcot--FAST TRACK--ready...set...go!!

Talia's glowing in the heat chamber of Fast Track.

Talia & Ethan on Soarin'--Ethan's favorite ride at Epcot.

We visited lots of the countries at Epcot...

Ethan & Dana in China

Ethan & Talia in France.

Talia in Japan.

Ethan & Dana join a drum circle in Africa.

Talia joins the drum circle in her own special way!

The family in Italy.