a morning at the zoo.

We spent a wonderful morning together at the zoo - got there right when it opened and had things almost to ourselves at first. By the time we left, it was packed - guess everybody thinks heading to the zoo is a good thing to do during winter break when you're stuck inside due to the cold!

Lorelei was fascinated by the animals even more than when we've taken her to the zoo before - and seemed a little nervous about a few, too (she didn't want to have anything to do with the hands-on "wave pool" because it was so loud!). But the penguins were a definite hit!

mark it with a B, then put it in the oven...

...for Gramma B and me!

new/old friends.

My dear friend Stephanie and her family traveled to MN to surprise her mom for Christmas this year. We were fortunate to get to see them for lunch (and shopping for the moms!) one afternoon during our time in the Twin Cities to celebrate Christmas together and another awesome surprise: both Stephanie and I are pregnant and due this summer! Lorelei and Juliette had a blast getting to know each other in person instead of just on Skype. You'll have to pardon my queasy expression - morning sickness is killing me these days...

Christmas celebrations.

As usual, we had Christmas morning present-opening with our immediate family at my parents' house (Lorelei loves her new box of musical instruments!), then gathered with everyone at Keystone to open presents with grandparents. We followed it up with dinner and games at Catherine and Steve's cozy house in St. Paul. Great holiday traditions to enjoy year after year!

(three women deep in concentration!)

the annual Christmas Eve brunch / the annual Christmas Eve dinner

After a 24 hour turn-around at our house in DeKalb following our SLC trip, we drove up to MN for more holiday festivities. Christmas Eve was like usual: Bret's birthday brunch at the Good Earth, church service, and a family gathering at the McNamaras' house in the evening to celebrate Glenna's birthday and watch for Santa to arrive.

the birthday cake arrives, post "Tito Burrito" - for the 21st year in a row

look who came this year! Meredith! 

 Jason, being a very good sport about the Boebel-McNamara craziness

the 3 birthday kids (Ross on Christmas Day, Glenna and Bret on Christmas Eve) 

our 19 month old! 

family portrait 

the super cute newlyweds!

holiday, 414 Fairmont style.

A collection of Lorelei holiday photos from our house:

decorating the tiny tree 

what should have been our holiday card 

 playing with Mom's nativity set

concentrating on unwrapping 

it's good, it's good.

our trip to SLC.

We spent a week in SLC this year just after Jason finished his fall semester to celebrate Hanukkah and the start of the Christmas season with the Hanna clan. Since we left the house at about 4am to get to the airport on time, we managed to forget our camera at home. Whoops! Thankfully, we had some paparazzi assistance courtesy Grandma Sara. Here are some highlights:

Lorelei got more and more brave with Fozzie as the trip wore on

Grandma Sara time! 

Lorelei loves to try on other people's shoes - Bridget's were no exception 

 reading with Grandpa Sam

 too much fun!

at the Natural History Museum with her new pal, Uncle Gary 

Lorelei was afraid of and fascinated by the dinosaurs 

family shot 

we dragged poor Gary and Eli to all kinds of SLC museums; here, we're at the Children's Museum and Lorelei was trying out the horse in the pretend farm exhibit 

I took this cute family photo. Awww!

 "Look! He has eyes!"

Lorelei loved patting Eli's head and pushing him in his swing 

a rare afternoon sans toddler - we finally got to see the Great Salt Lake!

ladies who lunch.

Lorelei has a secret life as an Upper East Side rich old lady.