Lots of goodness...

From this

to this...

...it's been quite a dynamic few weeks, in thirty seven different directions! 

A peek into what's been keeping us hoppin' and happy.

The perks of having friends who majored in "recreation." (Why didn't I think of that?)

Sweet, sensitive and hardworking Winona pulled this off-- to the tune of $205 for the Gorilla Doctors, plus two other gorillas "adopted" in her honor. Pretty awesome! 

And, now, what will the next year of her life hold? 

 

It started out by holding a whole lot of birthday parties-- friends, family and SoCal family! 

 ..a celebration that was shared with Hanukkah and Thanksgiving.

 Winnie got a doll she has longed for; 

she also got the present of her SISTER getting a similar doll so she wouldn't have to share it. :) 

Other fun times in LA: visiting "Dad's Castle!" This is where Mike lived for 10 years during his Hollywood Hills era of life (We will not mention that he lived in the "dungeon"-- a teeny tiny little room on the ground floor. :) We stopped in and visited his landlord of so many years ago and were welcomed with open arms and a fantastic tour of this incredible house... castle. It really is a castle.

The brothers and mama!

 The crazy cousins and friends.

 Friends and family... 

 And... then home to a week of this!! It was crazy. Shut down the town for a week... no school, weird work schedules. LOTS of sledding. Crazy and fun! 

But! The show must go on. Pinocchio matinees were performed as scheduled -- with this darling Russian Puppet lighting up the stage. The evening shows will happen the first weekend of January. 

Winnie was so very good. 

 

A natural.

The Elf has arrived in our world-- showing up with shenanigans and treats.

And now the house if fully decorated and we are up to our elf ears in holiday adventures...

...which can be exhausting. ;)

Through it all, we are holding out every hope and prayer that the very sick Lucy we came home to after our trip to LA is on her way to a full and complete recovery. We don't have any definite answers, yet, but, at the very least, she is spunky and happy again. We are so grateful for every day we get with this little ball of light!