Getting Around

 Sam's birthday (party #3), cake by Wegman's (east coast grocery store extraordinare)

 National Christmas tree, in the south lawn of the White House

There are 50+ trees around the National tree, for each state and territory.  This one is the Washington State tree.

Catching Up

Going through pictures this morning made me realize that there is quite a gap in the blog.  Here's our attempt at catching up.

Andrew's steel drum concert at school (he's in yellow, right side, playing the largest drums)

 Birthday boy at Vince's

 Party kids after basketball at the community center

 The early birthday party at Grandma's netted plenty of Oregon State gear

Philadephia @ Christmas

The Ben Franklin bridge lit up at night.

 Same bridge in the morning; beautiful, cold sunrise.

 The console of the Wanamaker Organ at the Philadelphia Macy's.

  Looking towards the William Penn statue from the steps of the art museum.

Art museum (cue the "Rocky" music)

Macy's light display

Young Men at the Symphony

The boys went to watch mom at work. Tonight was Cirque de la Symphonie, as the orchestra performed wtih artists from the Cirque de Soleil organization.  Strong men, jugglers, and acrobats performed to the as the Symphony played holiday music and light classics.  Perhaps the most amazing act was a woman who plays the violin upside down.  They didn't teach me that in violin methods class.  Of course, the boys loved all of it!

The Grown-up violinist

Andrew's fall violin recital was last night.  He played the 3rd movement of a Concerto by Seitz - quite a grown-up piece.  And, he looked the part by borrowing a tie from Dad's closet.  Andrew and Sam recently found a bunch of ties that Alan used to wear when he taught elementary school, and this is one of them.  From a distance, it looks like a very serious, business-like tie, but up close the pattern is made up of M&M's.

Harry P. and Franklin G.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Preview

We're ready for Halloween....pumpkins are carved, and Sam got to try out his costume at a birthday party today.