Christmas 2014

This Christmas season was washed with sentimentality as it was the last one in our home in Charlotte.  The magic of the season was intensified as seen through James Robert's eyes.

We visited Santa. 

We baked cookies. 

We decorated.

We played.

We enjoyed good food.

We spent time with family.

And we gave thanks and praise to the reason for the season.  We hope you had a very Merry Christmas too! 

Stage Fright

It was a shock to us all that James Robert didn't take to the stage-- he certainly loves performing at home! But on his last day of preschool in Charlotte, this is what happened at his Christmas performance (hint, he is the child screaming):

We are so thankful for the experience we had at CLCC.  James Robert truly had the kindest teachers and wonderful classmates.  

A Birthday To Remember

Not many things bring family together like a 90th Birthday.  Last weekend, we attended the celebration of James Robert's Great Grandfather's 90th Birthday.  Family came from near and far to celebrate in Detroit.  It was remarkable to see Great Grandpa on the floor playing with his Great Grandchildren.  How special to be able to commemorate your 9th decade with zeal! It was a memorable weekend for a very memorable man.  

For more pictures, click here. 

Thanksgiving 2014

A big thanks to the Brins for hosting us for Thanksgiving dinner this year.  The food, wine, music and company were superlative!

Our trip to DC to celebrate with the crew above was extremely memorable: 

Starting from the beginning, we survived a blizzard on the drive up to DC... there were some terrifying moments. 

We commemorated Lena's 6 month birthday. She's adored by all of her cousins, especially James Robert who LOVES to give her big kisses.

I dressed James Robert in turkey gear, because I know he won't be young enough for me to get away with it for much longer. And let's be honest, I could just gobble him up in knee socks.

We explored the Air and Space museum which was a treat for kids and adults alike.

We rode the metro-- just for fun (never thought I would have said that when I lived in DC years ago). 

We visited the National Zoo for Zoo Lights. It was beautiful!

And we got into the holiday spirit.  We ate at a delicious restaurant in the District called Casa Luca that I would highly recommend.

Oh Canada!

It's official.  We're taking this show on the road.  Come the new year,  the Leanderson family blog will be coming to you from Toronto!

That's right.  Sight unseen, we decided to move our family to the great white north in the middle of winter.  Adventurous, yes.  Crazy, yes maybe a bit.  We're also crazy proud of Mat and the opportunity he's accepted with work.

Our impending move is both exciting and terrifying at the same time-- very bittersweet as we love Charlotte so. But that's for another post. In the meantime,  for posterity sake, I'd like to share some pictures from first trip "north of the wall" (Game of Thrones reference translation here).

Mat and I took a baby-free trip to scout neighborhoods and get a feel for the city.  These were our take-aways:

1) You know what they say about first impressions.  Well Canadians certainly made a good one on us.  If they aren't the friendliest bunch, I don't know who is.  And that's saying a lot coming from people moving from the South.

2) There is an energy and vibrancy in the city that is both European and mid-western.  We're down with that.

3)  We loved a few of the neighborhoods in the city.  Walking through "Roncy" we noted equal amounts of dogs, babies and mustaches. If we end up moving in with the cool kids Mat will need some tighter jeans and facial hair stat.  We aren't sure if we're hip enough to hang with hipsters, but we're excited to get back and check out more.

4) Toronto and the surrounding suburbs felt reminiscent of our hometown of Chicago.  It's on a big 'ol lake and the suburbs sprawl on flat landscape (we even saw some cornfields).

5) The fact that everything is in both English and French tickles me to no end.

6) There are endless parks and trails which will be wonderful to explore.

Stay tuned! xx

First Haircut!

I don't know who was more nervous about James Robert's first hair cut--him or me?!   But we left the salon with no tears.... from either of us.  His cute curls are still intact, just more managed which was just what we were looking for! 

Halloween 2014

James Robert picked out his own costume this year as it looks just like his favorite stuffed animal, "yellow ducky".  We bought the costume about a month and a half before Halloween and has been enthusiastically wearing it around the house.  However, by the time the holiday rolled around, he had practically grown out of it.

Despite the costume mishap, James Robert had a great time exploring all the props at our neighborhood party! 

  

Scott and Heidi's Wedding Weekend in New York

Rounding out an especially busy October, we flew to New York to celebrate Scott and Heidi's wedding.  It was a beautiful weekend, filled with so much love.  James Robert was introduced to lots of extended family and enjoyed dancing the night away with the band.

 

On Saturday before the wedding, we visited Caumsett State Park which was beautiful.