The Bachelor: Columbus Edition

This past Christmas Eve Eve, Todd got stranded in the Columbus Airport when his plane couldn't land due to bad weather in Cleveland. Ron and Kristin came to the rescue and drove him to Cleveland! Hooray!

Ron and Kristin arrived at my folks' house with some happy news. THEY'RE ENGAGED!!!! Quadruple hooray!! Couldn't have happened to a sweeter couple. We're all thrilled.

The Pfun We Had With Pfeiffers In DC

We flew back from Cleveland to greet Brett and Vanessa and the kids at our place in DC. Loretta wasted no time in demanding an Elmo read from Aunt V.

Urban diaper changing, man....it can be brutal.

The nice unseasonal weather led us to the National Zoo.

Cleveland Christmas

Loretta steals Aunt Tricia's gift for herself.

Poor Gabriella. Like she doesn't read to enough pre-schoolers....

Home For The Holidays

The kids and I got to spend a week with my folks before Christmas, which was wonderful. Above, Nonna feeds Loretta some homemade minestrone. This scene was repeated seven times a day, every day.

Nonno: "When I was a boy, we would get an orange for Christmas and we were so happy."

Henry: "An orange what?"

Loretta burying something...probably Henry.

Getting Ready For Christmas!

Loretta dons her traditional stockings.

It ain't officially Christmas without Rock Band. Here, Loretta Lou tears up the Beastie Boys "Sabotage." And it was hard core, too.

Writing a note for Santa and putting out the mini-Oreos and baby carrots for he and his annymals. Mini and baby...hmmm...guess we're putting the North Pole folks on a diet.

On Christmas morning...look! All the treats have been eaten! But Loretta did have telltale chocolate crumbs all around.

Tattooed Lady On Changing Table

Meeting Sanny Claus in Mt. Pleasant Plaza

A Latke Love

When our dear friends Ben and Lauren invited us over for a Latke Party, we couldn't resist! Friends AND fried food?? Count us in! Above, Ben realizes that the degree of difficulty involved in making sweet potato latkes is significantly increased once toddlers are involved.

It was a well-run operation I must say, and the latkes turned out dee-lish.

After dinner, Ben entertained the children (and blew the adults' minds) with the magic of the iPhone.

Loretta plays the Ocarina.

O' Christmas Tree, O' Christmas Tree

We have a tradition now of going out to fell our very own Christmas tree.

The hunt is on for the perfect tree...

This looks like a good specimen.

The tree has no chance against such a nimble team.

Timbaaah!!

Voila! Instant Christmas memories! (and floor needles)

Middle-Aged Mama!

In November, I turned the big 4-0! Luckily, it passed with more frolic than panic.

At home, everyone spoiled me rotten and made a big fuss over me.

Then I got to spend the weekend with my sibs in the Big Apple. It was one of the most fun weekends of my whole life.

We really crammed a lot of fun into three days, but I think Patricia's Facebook status update captured it best.

singleladiesbrasthaiUCBrumbroadwayfossepianobarsistertalk.

Stoopendous Stoop Sale Why yes, we did have a stoop sale in mid-November...what's your point? My neighbor Royce and I hauled all our junk, er, treasures outside on a cold Saturday morning. We cranked the Beastie Boys, honed our haggling skills, and then counted our loot!

Grandma (and Thanksgiving) Come To DC!

Happily, Grandma came to visit the many Pfeiffers now living in Washington, DC. Above she was showing us some beautiful photos from her recent trip to Russia.

Although the weather was brisk, we managed to get out for a hike in Rock Creek Park. Uncle Kurt gives young Henry a ride.

Here's Grandma climbing up a hill and working up an appetite for our big Thanksgiving dinner.

Separated At Birth?

Loretta Lou's Do

Some people (like Glenda) REALLY know how to fix Loretta's hair...

Others improvise...