Four Peas in a Blog

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Family photos 2023

Our holiday cards should have arrived at their destinations by now, so it should be safe to post our family photos. I took them myself this year, which can be tricky, but the process went pretty smoothly!

Monday, December 11, 2023

Seeing Santa 2023

It was the first time in a few years we saw this old friend:

He was down at the European Market in St. Paul.

Omri, drinking a devilishly good hot chocolate:

It was a little crowded and wet, but I'm glad we got out and did something as a family this holiday season!

Saturday, December 9, 2023

A night in Philly

I spent one night in Philadelphia for my company's holiday party. It was a whirlwind, and I didn't have much time at all for photography, but I had a good time.

The party was held on the 50th floor of this building:

The view from my hotel room:

Just wish they would allow us to bring a guest, like they did for the pre-COVID parties in Montreal.

Friday, December 1, 2023

Decorating the tree 2023

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Black Friday at Fort Snelling

Saturday, November 25, 2023

Thanksgiving 2023

It was a different Thanksgiving for us. V had some surgery done on her ankle the day before. It was a relatively minor operation, but it was enough to keep us home for the holiday. To be honest, I think we were all okay with that, just being so tired from how hectic life has been lately, but of course we missed seeing our parents and sibling's families too.

The boot:

Video chat with R's extended family:

My mother-in-law gave me these fabulous Amarena wild cherries to use as garnish in my Manhattans:

It was a good day, just the four of us. It reminded me of our first Thanksgiving after V was born and, yes, also the COVID year.

We made our own buns and an eggnog pie, but the rest of our meal was take-and-bake from Colossal Cafe. It was tasty and definitely easier than spending the whole day cooking.

Snuggling on the couch for a movie (before and after our meal):

I am thankful to have these three people to make a home with.

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Grand Marais (and a little Duluth)

It has become a new-ish traditional for me and R to get away for a couple of nights over Veteran's Day weekend. This year we went up the North Shore, stopping in Duluth along the way for a walk and some supplies (I recommend Vikre's whiskey).

We stayed at an AirBnB just north of Grand Marais:

Here's our cabin at dusk:

It was wonderful to have some time away from our to-do lists at home and the chance to reconnect with each other.

The place had a great view of Lake Superior:

The Saturday morning sauna was a highlight:

It was chilly out, but we did some walking.

Grand Marais is a cute little town with this signature lighthouse:

Hike to the Devil's Kettle:

It was good times and good company. Thank you, R, once again for planning another successful getaway!

Sunday, November 19, 2023

Junior Jewels

She didn't get dressed up for Halloween, but she wore this hand-decorated t-shirt to her third viewing of the Eras Tour movie:

It was inspired by Taylor's pajamas in this music video:

Friday, November 17, 2023

First sleepovers

Omri attended his first sleepover at a friend's house and also held his first one at our house (pictured below).

The boys didn't like the pizza and the sleeping arrangements underwent some changes at midnight, but I think a good time was had overall.

Photo by R:

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Junie B. Jones Jr.

Wow, what a fun musical that was! In some ways this was a more impressive production than even Frozen Jr. The kids worked so hard! Their singing and dancing were amazing. Veronica played the part of a first grader named Bobby Jean Piper. One highlight was when she had to hop up on a table and sing/dance a little solo from there (I was nervous for her each of the four times I saw the play). I wish there was a recording and/or stills from it available; I believe they were captured, but Ashland doesn't yet have the rights to sell them to parents. If that ever changes, I will be sure to post!