I shall call him "Mini-Me"

Note the vintage "Star Wars" t-shirt.

Marble Run

John celebrated his 5th birthday today (his actual birthday is Feb. 6) with friends from school and our neighborhood. Afterwards, Ellis came over to help John open all his presents. After the wrapping paper stopped flying around, John and Ellis played with Marble Run, which allows you to build a path for marbles using chutes, bridges, columns and more.

Merry Christmas!

It's Christmas! But not too cold. I can't wait!
from: "Merry" Ha Ha!

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Christmas Week Activities

The Sathes arrived this week and we've lots of family fun time. Nik, Jay, Laila, John, Mary and I went to a go-cart raceway/arcade on Tuesday (sorry I don't have any good photos from that).

Before we left for Galveston, John played a little
soccer with his cousins and Uncle Nik

And yesterday, the Ferrises, Sathes and Gwynnes all drove to Galveston to the Lone Star Flight Museum, where we go to see some beautiful old airplanes. Tom regaled us with some terrific background stories for many of the aircraft.

Tom talking to Mary

John, Mary and Margaret posing in front of an airplane

Margaret and Mary pointing out the high-water
mark from when Ike hit Galveston

Then we drove to the Galveston beach and ran amok along the shore.

Mary and John running along the beach

Chris and Nik planning our next move on their iPhones

After playing on the beach, we all drove the Kemah Boardwalk. There, the kids enjoyed going on some thrilling rides.

Mary and John flying an airplane at Kemah

Holiday Performances by Mary and John

Mary getting into the Christmas spirit

Happy Holidays

Mary performed in her winter piano recital this evening and she did a great job, playing 6 songs with no sheet music. The sixth, "Deck the Halls," was a wonderful conclusion and helped get us all in the holiday spirit.

Meg's parents, Tom and Margaret, also attended the recital, which was held in a beautiful church decorated for Christmas.

Tom, John, Margaret and Mary before the recital

Chris and Meg

Mary performing

Mary listening to the applause

Mary bowing after her performance