Well - December for everyone is busy because of the holidays and for us it is no different. Since we celebrate both Christmas and Hannukah, it is double busy for us. Zach finished up his first college semester with a 3.0 average - something we are all very pleased about. He did very well with his transition into college life and enjoys the independence he has living on campus. Pat and I did get to visit him during Parents Weekend (sorry, we forgot the camera). Zach gave us the VIP tour of the campus and a taste of his college life.
By the way, doesn't Teddie look thrilled in her picture with Santa? That is a weird Santa - looks more like the bearded lady from the carnival than Santa - maybe that is why Teddie looks so distressed. Or maybe it is because I forced them both to be dressed like reindeer? They both need to get a sense of humor.
Hannukah was early this year (isn't that always the case - it is either early or late - never on time! Why is that?) Bari's parents hosted the family festivities this year. We are happy to report that Aunt Bari and Uncle Pat can boast "best present", having given both Ari and David musical instruments - Ari received his first drum set and David his first keyboard...aren't we the best?
Christmas was just around the corner and we had a full house - the entire gang gathered at our house to enjoy not just a family get together, rather a Family Christmas Party. This year we decided it would be great fun to throw in some games and such (you know, because Christmas is so boring without games...yeah, right!) So this year, we had our usual delicious meal (if I do say so myself and I do). The house was decorated 
with all the glitz and glitter we could find for both Hannukah and Christmas or as we like to call it - Christmahannakwanza. All 5 of our beautiful children were with us - Brianna, Patrick, Ryan, Zach, Lindsay...Bari's brother Matt and his family joined us - Gaby, David and Ari....Bari's parents, Len and Roz were there...and Ryan's girlfriend Melissa (who we are officially adopting). We played a great game of pictionary and are still trying to figure out some of Roz's clues - we may have to consider them to be forever mysteries - like the Great Sphinx.
with all the glitz and glitter we could find for both Hannukah and Christmas or as we like to call it - Christmahannakwanza. All 5 of our beautiful children were with us - Brianna, Patrick, Ryan, Zach, Lindsay...Bari's brother Matt and his family joined us - Gaby, David and Ari....Bari's parents, Len and Roz were there...and Ryan's girlfriend Melissa (who we are officially adopting). We played a great game of pictionary and are still trying to figure out some of Roz's clues - we may have to consider them to be forever mysteries - like the Great Sphinx.So 
what else about Christmas...oh I know - it was the year of the Crocs...this year I really out did myself and bought Pat something he never wanted and never will - a pair of Crocs. He hates them - he wouldn't even move them from the living room - just left them there for weeks until I finally got rid of them for him (that was his gag gift - his real gift was an I-Pod Nano and tickets to see one of his favorite music acts - John Foggarty). Pat and I brought in the New Year with some friends, we enjoyed a great meal at a very nice restaurant and then a movie. It was quiet and just what the doctor ordered.
what else about Christmas...oh I know - it was the year of the Crocs...this year I really out did myself and bought Pat something he never wanted and never will - a pair of Crocs. He hates them - he wouldn't even move them from the living room - just left them there for weeks until I finally got rid of them for him (that was his gag gift - his real gift was an I-Pod Nano and tickets to see one of his favorite music acts - John Foggarty). Pat and I brought in the New Year with some friends, we enjoyed a great meal at a very nice restaurant and then a movie. It was quiet and just what the doctor ordered.
