Christmas 2008: The Wild Girls!

On my visit to Mars, I celebrated my birthday morning by watching my wild wild wild girls go bonkers with happiness as they drove in their jeep!

Christmas 2008: My 45th Birthday!

Here we are on the 27th of December, celebrating my birthday! We had organic bean soup and a chocolate cake. You can see me celebrating wth my nieces! I had a very nice birthday! I saw my horses, enjoyed my dog and cats. My baby weanling, Renny, showed me that he was the dirtiest weanling in America. He was coated in dried mud and looking like a rough-and-tumble boy for my birthday present. He made me laugh and laugh with happiness! I also received many greetings from friends and family. I had a meal at BW3, and presents spattered throughout the week. Tomorrow to cap my birthday week, I am having coffee with Joe and receiving a present, and then having a party at Danielle and Todd's to watch a scary, scary film! Good to get the adrenalin up when you're a 45 year-old woman!!

Christmas 2008: A Pittsburgh Horse!

On my walk in Pittsburgh, I passed this one building which now had an architect's design studio. The building was built in 1888 and I just loved that it had this truly lovely horse head statue over the door. I thought it was so very expressive and unique!

Christmas 2008: Walking in Pittsburgh!

On the day before my birthday, in the time before I met up with my friends, I took a stroll in Pittsburgh. The day was unnaturally warm, not a bit like winter, but it was still nice to stroll in this one neighborhood by the Church Brew Works. I walked by the river, visited some run down shops and a few elegant ones tossed in, and noticed the homes. One home had a purple flag with a fleur de lis, giving honor to New Orleans and to her recovery. I thought that was very nice. And I saw a white pickup truck with two gentlemen in front of a weathered home by the river, looking like they were getting ready for some post-Christmas work. And I saw people sitting on their stoops and children bustling about!

Christmas 2008: The Church Brew Works!

I had a little adventure while I was visiting my sister! I drove into Pittsburgh and met Danielle, Todd and two of their friends at this Cathedral that was converted into a brewery. We had a great lunch and I enjoyed my time walking in some of the neighborhoods, visiting a chic organic clothing store, and then touring The Strip, this section of town with great Italian groceries and other delicassies! I really enjoyed the opportunity to meet up with friends while off on holiday!

Christmas 2008: My Mom and Dad!

Here is a photo of my mom and dad taken right outside the original oyster restaurant dad wanted to visit. My dad was very happy to make it back to this spot. The last time he was here, he was a young handsome man. Now, he's an older distinguished gentleman!

Christmas 2008: Dad, Me and the Girls!

Here I am in front of the Carnegie Free Library with my dad and nieces! Namaste!

Christmas 2008: Carnegie Free Library!

On the day after Christmas, we took a drive to Steve's place of work. We got a tour of his office and the factory floor. Right across from where he works on the river is a very old prison! Then we went for a lovely winter drive through Pittsburgh. We visited the Carnegie Free Library and then went to Market Square where we had lunch at the Original Oyster Restaurant where dad and mom dined over 30 years ago, and mom and I had coffee at a nice local coffee shop. Then I bought a New York Times and visited a yarn shop.

Christmas 2008: Opening Presents

Here is a little video from our Christmas Eve service and then here are some photos of Christmas Day, as our darling girls opened their presents. They received lots of nice Princess gear, so they were busy with the Princesses Aurora, Belle, Snow White, Cinderella, and Ariel!

Christmas 2008: Our Little Elves!

Here are my nieces, on the evening of Christmas Eve, as we were getting ready to go to the church service. I love my dear sweet wee ones. They are truly sweethearts!

Christmas 2008: Mom and Cookies!

We spent this year's Christmas holiday at Elena and Steve's new home in Pittsburgh! They have a beautiful colonial home in this lovely neighborhood in Mars. Steve has done very well by earning a job at Valspar. And Elena is making a beautiful home for the girls and the soon-to-arrive nephew. Here is a photo of mom taken Christmas Eve with a plate of cookies by the tree! Namaste!