So here's the short of it, 
It's really nice to have family visit!

And here's the long.

We had another great day of visiting with family.

This afternoon we spent a little time with Mommy Anne at Elmcroft. We all went out into the "living room" and had a great visit.  David has tons of pictures on his iPad and he and the boys really did enjoy giving Mommy Anne a slideshow.  She had such a good time looking at them and talking about all the people in the pictures.

Later in the evening we all headed to the house and ordered in dinner.  We were really glad that Marjorie and Issie were with us.  Mom also joined us - and then Liga was able to come by on her dinner break.

I'm awfully lucky.  I know so many people who don't have much family, or are far, far away from their family and don't see them often, or have family but are estranged.  I love that Alan and I both have great families and we get to spend time with them.

And to Myra, David, Noah, and Evan -- thank you for coming to Chattanooga to spend some time with us!

So here's the short of it, 
I'm listening to President Obama tonight. 

And here's the long.

I'm listening to my President tonight and some of my family is boycotting his State of the Union address.

I wonder how I was raised in my family in the place and time I was and came to such a different place politically than my parents and siblings.

I don't know how that happened.  How they got there and I got here.   I love them all very much, but we see the world in such a different way.   It's so strange to me.

However it happened, it's good we can embrace one another as family and set aside our political differences.

I love you all.

So here's the short of it, 
Today was an awesome way to start the New Year!

And here's the long.

Liga and Valdis gave us a coupon for a prepared dinner for our Christmas/Hannukah gift this year.  Tonight was the night!

We had the two youngest in the house keeping the kitchen lively while Alan and I sat and visited with MaMa and Mommy Anne in the living room.  Sophie and Lola kept us company!

The menu was salmon, asparagus, wild and long grain rice (ala Uncle Ben), and spinach salad with raspberry dressing. Brownies and ice cream was dessert!

It's really nice to have grown up competent, capable children to share a lovely evening with.
And what better way to spend the very first day of the year!