We were born a travelin' clan

We've been moving around a lot the last month or so. After a weekend trip to Iowa in mid-November, we spent a week in Green Bay over Thanksgiving and a week in Springfield, Missouri and then Kansas City over Christmas. Before that, we celebrated an early Christmas in Minneapolis with Grandma Cathy, Grandpa Dave, and Uncle Jesse.

The girls are much better travelers, but it's still a hassle to move around so much. Thank goodness they are both pretty patient and well behaved in the car and the plane. No traveling disasters!

It's also been a snowy month. During periods of good health, we've gotten outside. Meredith has been in the joint backyard ice rink exactly once so far this season.

We haven't been writing much here, but at least we've taken some pictures. The highlights:

Saturday morning drama

I overheard Meredith and Jen from downstairs:

Meredith: ...REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY--
Jen: (calmly and matter-of-factly) That's enough reallys.
Meredith: ...REALLY WANT TO!!!

A few moments later when she comes downstairs I ask Jen what was the fuss about.

Jen: She didn't like the clothes I had set out for the concert and said that she wanted to wear her star outfit because, quote, it's the only outfit I love so much that I kiss it. See!

Christmas and other changes

Things have been busy here! We had a great week off in Green Bay for Thanksgiving. The girls spent two days with Grandma and Grandpa while Derek and I went up to Door County for some time together. We did childless things like staying up late watching Jon Stewart, eating in a bar where people were smoking on the other side of the room, and seeing the new James Bond movie (I thought it was awesome.) Door County must be much prettier in the summertime, though - it was very cold, grey, wet and empty. Elly has named Grandpa Dave "Baba," for some unknown reason (though it is also her word for banana - connection?). He is quite proud of this sobriquet!

Then, we prepared and had Thanksgiving with Derek's extended family, who were impressed by how much energy our girls have. They were running around the couch with a cousin, first chasing, then chasing by hopping like frogs (though Elly only waved her arms so she could move more quickly), etc. etc.

We got home late Saturday night and sprung into action unpacking, cleaning, and then refilling the house with Christmas stuff. There's a fresh white pine in the living room (sustainably grown), with the straw ornaments mostly on the lower branches, a lit garland on the banister, and Santas and carolers everywhere. Mer really enjoyed decorating with me.

In other news, Derek has secured a new job - the plan is that he'll work three days a week at an area theater as their finance guy. It sounds like a cool job. He hasn't started yet; we're working on finding daycare for Elly and getting ready for this adjustment.

And, I can't believe it's only three weeks to Christmas! I don't know how it sneaks up on me, what with the stores starting the Christmas displays on November 1, but it does. I don't feel ready at all.

-JRR