So, like an archaeologist gingerly unearthing the shards of an ancient civilization, I have begun the process of digital salvation. Laia spent five minutes alone with the desktop and, well, a word to the wise...do not leave computers and toddlers together for even five minutes. The desktop was shattered, rattled, unable to process the sheer power that is toddler. And it's been three months since we've been able to do much in the way of computing. We have a happy happy laptop now that lives high above the reach of eager digital munchkins and so... To the missing months...

Hmmmm, gargoyle pumpkins. Must be October.

Laia was the "Bulldog Princess" (her own invention, but she decided she'd rather just bop people with flowers and wear cool shades. Who can say which choice was better?

ahhhh....flowers. Who needs a crown?

And Bulldog Princess (in crown and tutu) or flower wielding bulldog goddess of cool shades...either way a Halloween adventure can leave a tiny tot a bit, well, sleepy.

If that was October...this must be early November! A trip to the city of the Pear, a dinner in the country, a evening of music and firelight!

Please note the ever so delicate pinky in the air! It was an excellent year for yogurt.

A little after dinner music, perhaps? Any requests?

November, November...oh yes! Thanksgiving! We had planned to host a gathering of the extended family and announce the June arrival plans for the "belly bean". But alas, an evil strain of gastroenteritis attacked upstate New York and our holiday plans became more Norman Bates and less Norman Rockwell. Mike was in the hospital, I was sick sick sick, and poor Laia got hit with it too. Ugh. On the bright side, Laia night weaned! On the down side, I lost 8 pounds in two days. But we did announce Belly Bean (over the phone) and the dinner still looked and tasted wonderful!

A large dinner! Wiggly babes in arms! Pregnant mamas! Oh so autumnal!

See? We still managed a little Norman Rockwell!

November melted into December and Santa arrived in Ithaca yet again...like last year, Santa rappeled down onto the Commons (yes, Santa and his elves are played by the members of the Ithaca SWAT team...pretty sure they don't put these pictures into their "though guy" portfolios, but they run the most well behaved "pictures with Santa" event you've ever seen). Unlike last year we timed our arrival perfectly, waited outside only ten minutes until the arrival, and no one froze their booty off!

Here come's Santa!

huzzah!

While we were on the Commons we noticed the perfect "solstice" picture...Mike is behind the sun holding Laia over his head, shouting "take the picture quickly!", but Laia had a blast.

We went on a holiday tree hunt, courtesy of a local green cemetary...you cut, you carry, the classic story of man and tree!

Home is the hunter! Home from the woods...

Yes, I have photos of the tree safely landed in our living room. I have pictures of shiny ornaments and pretty presents. I have pictures of those presents being opened and toys most happily played with. But those pictures are still living on my camera...

Tune in soon true believer for more holiday cheer. Till then, enjoy the missing months...