Love letters from Justin and Avery, respectively, to me for Christmas.  They speak for themselves.

Reflections of 2023

I Love you! – Avery

I know this probably isn’t what you’re expecting as a gift but just hear me out! You are the best mom ever and I would be lost without you. We have had an amazing year together and I am excited for more! You are my world and I love you more than words can say.  I hope you enjoy reflecting on our special memories!

    Some of my favorite memories with you this past year are always something I will keep close to my heart and cherish.

     In January, we had lots of Karolin time!

     In February, we celebrated my half birthday.

    In March, I had my first dance competition and I got to hang out with you all day! We both enjoyed a delicious lunch and I had a corn beef sandwich with crimped fries! It was delicious!

    In April, I took part in our neighborhood’s annual baking challenge. I had a great time there eating desserts but I had an even better time at home making the dessert with you!

    In May I had my spring Ballet. We definitely had fun hanging out and doing makeup! On the performance day we went to Celebrity Deli for an early dinner with Papa and Grandma.

    In June, “He’s the penis!” Haha! I had my first dance recital in years and got to spend lots of time with you! Although we did have to do a bunch of running around! We even enjoyed some yummy Cava. I graduated in June so to prepare, I tried on a bunch of dresses with you taking pictures of each one.We worked hard together for my FFB bake sale, which is always a hit!

    In July, we did a whole bunch! We started the month with Fourth of July fireworks. Since Emerson was at sleep away camp and I was still recovering from the ice cold water, we watched them in the car. The end of July was a little different from past years. We attended the American Nystagmus Network Conference. We went all country! Nashville, what a dream. Well dreams become reality at some point right?

  In August, we celebrated my birthday and for the second time in a row we went to WaterMine! We also had our annual beach trip! I loved our little ten minute walks on the beach where we would talk and find shells!

  Well, September had a mind of its own but even though I said I didn’t like it, I loved the huge hug you gave me when you picked me in the office at school the day you got back from Brazil!

  In October, we had our special time together! We definitely got pampered! I love just being with you, it makes me so happy! We got our nails done, we got a massage, and we got donuts!

 In November, we spent a lot of time preparing for my first dance convention! Also as Emerson, Harper, and Dad were in Richmond during their tournaments we spent lots of time together doing simple activities!

 In December we did a lot but I am not going to say anything about it because all of these memories are important to me. 

We have a unique bond that will never end! You and me FOREVER!

I ❤️ YOU SO MUCH!!!

 With love, Avery

2017 – Charleston, SC

2018 – Au Pair Extravaganza at home 

2019 – Philadelphia, PA

2020 – Deep Creek Lake, MD

2021 – Deep Creek Lake, MD

2022 – Deep Creek Lake, MD

2023 – Pittsburg, PA

Last year at Deep Creek Lake, Justin and I decided we would go back to the surprise “Pack Your Bags, We Are Leaving Tomorrow” Christmas Gift to the girls.  The primary parameter is that the location has to be in driving distance.  Pretty quickly, Pittsburgh came to my mind…none of us had ever been, it was only four hours away, and it was packed with restaurants and things to do.

Our surprise gift was met with significant disappointment from Emerson who wanted nothing more than to veg at home during vacation.  Harper was excited about the adventure, as was Avery, though Avery was very a little more cautiously inquisitive about it.

We spent three full days eating our way through the city, walking, and touring museums and shops.  We also got to visit with my friend Stephanie from college, who lives in Pittsburg.  She was headed to her family in Virginia our first full day; so we were excited that we were able to meet up for dinner the night we arrived. Her daughter Piper, age 6, joined her too. 

FOOD

Church Brew Works:

We ate here with Stephanie.  It was an old cathedral turned brewery.  The beer was somewhat lacking in terms of drafts especially with IPA’s, which surprised me based on the reviews.  Justin and I both got the one IPA on draft…it was not hazy and just ok.  The food was pretty good for bar food.  Stephanie and Piper stopped by to check out our place; while I don’t talk to or see Stephanie often, when I do, it’s always like no time has passed and we pick back up right where we left off. 

Condado Tacos:

We stopped at the location in the Strip for a quick lunch on a rainy day after the Heinz Museum.  Food was served quickly and overall everyone enjoyed their tacos and/or bowl; though Harper’s rice and beans bowl was definitely lacking with the beans.

Driftwood Oven:

After debating between a few places where to order in pizza our second night in town, we settled on Driftwood Oven, pizza made from sourdough.  We got three pizzas: a white, pesto, and half cheese/pep, and a mixed greens salad with pickled vegetables.  It was delicious and I was glad we ordered enough for leftovers the next day.  They also let Emerson pick out some cookies since the pizza wasn’t ready when she and Justin went to pick it up.  The chocolate chunk cookie was fantastic.  We ended up ordering pizza again from here our last night since it was so yummy and we felt like staying in.

Prestogeorge Coffee & Tea:

We stopped here while shopping on the Strip on our second day, a gorgeous mild sunny day. Emerson and Harper enjoyed a strawberry banana smoothie, Justin a large coffee, and myself a large latte all for only $14; we would have paid double for the same order at home.  The place was packed.  The girls and I enjoyed our drinks; Justin was not a fan of his coffee…something that doesn’t happen with him often. 

Peace, Love, and Little Donuts:

After seeing this place our first day, we popped in the second day.  They gave us four mini cinnamon sugar donuts just for coming in.  We tasted them and were wowed.  We ordered six more with toppings and devoured them.  I don’t even like donuts, but these were incredible…so incredible that we stopped by for a few more the next day while we were waiting for our table at Pamela’s Diner on The Strip. Seriously, these were the best donuts I have ever had.  They gave us free ones again the second time we were in! 

Cinderlands:

A microbrewery along the strip that we stopped at on our way walking home one day.  I tasted two hazy IPAS and Justin one.  Beer was pretty hazy.  We also ordered a pretzel and kale salad to share…kale salad was fresh, tasty, and had a kick to it somehow.

Gaucho Parilla Argentina:

This was an excellent Argentina restaurant where everything is cooked on a wood grill; meats, vegetables, and bread included.  It was delicious though this is the type of restaurant that would have been more enjoyable with the Goldman, who are more willing than our kids to try a variety of foods that we could share!

Pamela’s Diner: 

I heard great thing about this breakfast spot so after a slow Friday morning, we walked to the Strip for breakfast. There was a long wait, but they turned tables quickly and we only had to wait about 25 minutes.  Emerson and Harper had sweet crepes as part of their meals that were massive and looked amazing.  I took a bite…it was yummy, but personally I am not a crepe person.  Since they specialize in crepes, they didn’t have regular pancakes to Avery’s disappointment.  She settled on the French toast made from Italian bread, and her and I agreed that mine was better….it was a little too “eggy” and not enough cinnamon.   My omelet was good, but I think the Virginian’s was better.  It was a cool spot though and I’m glad we went. 

STAY

We stayed at 183 35^th Street in Lawrenceville area.  We were originally supposed to stay in Downtown area, but a few days before our trip, I realized that the location wasn’t great since we weren’t attending a baseball or football game.  Airbnb had a cool house in Lawrenceville area with great reviews and priced the same was available.  Since we had no cancellation fee on the other house, we booked it.  The host Jeremey is a local artist and the house is filled with his artwork. The house had 3 bedrooms, two kitchens, was spacious, and a great spot for our family.

SIGHTS

Heinz Museum:

The first full day was rainy, especially in the morning, so we decided to go the Heinz Museum first.  I thought it was a fantastic museum full of history and cool things.  I honestly hadn’t realized the historical significance of Pittsburg or John Heinz and as I get older, I really enjoy learning about history more. 

Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens:

We visited the afternoon of our first full day here.  It stopped raining in the afternoon, though the majority of the experience was in covered atriums.  It was decorated for the holidays and we were able to catch the outside lights just as it was getting dark. We were able to see the Oakland area, University of Pittsburg (some of it) and The Cathedral of Learning on our drive there.

The Strip District:

We were able to walk to the Strip District from our Airbnb.  Our house was on 35^th Street and the Strip District is two streets between 33^rd and 11 with the majority of them being between 25^th and 16^th.  It was a beautiful day and we weaved in and out of shops, meat markets, spice shops, kitchen shops, pasta and cheese shops, and candy shops.  We purchased a few things to make the trip linger. 

Duquesne Incline:

We took the incline both ways to the top of Mt. Washington.  We would have walked down; however, we were later getting to the incline than I wanted and time wasn’t on our side for walking down.  Fear filled Avery and Emerson especially as we waited on the overpass to purchase tickets and ride the incline up the mountain.  I don’t think either of them thought it was as scary as they thought it would be.   Along the way we were able to see PNC Park, where the Pirates play, and see the stadium where the Steelers play.  

Andy Warhol Museum:

Justin is a huge fan of Andy Warhol so we visited the museum.  The girls enjoyed some aspects of it.  While I am not a huge fan of modern art, I have come to appreciate the historical and societal significance of it.  

Similar to other trips of ours, we ate and walked our way through the city making the most of our few days.  What will the winter of 2024 bring?

Hannukah 2023 started early this year on the 7^th of December.  Our eight nights of Hannukah were filled with soccer, dance, softball, and basketball making it challenging to light the menorah at a normal hour.  Some nights it was after 9:00 p.m. before we lit the menorah and said the blessing, but we did it.  In a time with the current Israel Palestine conflict and the horrendous acts of the Hamas, I felt it especially important that we recognize the holiday even at late hours some nights.  The girls made out better than normal this year with their Hannukah gifts….though still practical in nature, the clothes and shoes they got this year sparked a lot of excitement and disbelief (in a good way).

We spent one night of Hannukah celebrating with the Goldmans and the Rackisanys and one night celebrating with my parents and Auntie Lauren, who happened to be in town for a work trip. 

We all agreed that Christmas seemed to get here very quickly this year. Karolin came to visit a few days before Christmas and the girls enjoyed having her for the holiday. 

Christmas Eve we went to the 5:00 VPC service so that we could go to dinner afterwards.  We all decided that we had graduated from the 5:00 children’s service and would not be returning to that particular service the following year.  The church service seemed to be running late and we had to leave early for our 6:15 dinner reservation missing “Silent Night” and the lighting of the candles, our favorite part of the service.  I was excited and scared to go back to PF Changs after our 2019 experience where we had horrible service.  Thankfully service was good, food was good, and we were in and out of the restaurant in one hour allowing us to walk up Hillington when we got back home to see the luminaries. 

Avery and Harper set out cookies for Santa, cookies that they made with Ms. Pat earlier in the week. 

We all slept soundly and until 8:00 am, which was agreed upon by everyone!  

The girls can barely fit on the same single stair!

Santa delivered, though unlike other years, much of his gifts were shared gifts including some board games, a waffle maker and a wagon.

The girls all got presents for each other, which were well received. Justin and I got the girls a combination of clothes, shoes, dance apparel (Avery), softball apparel (Emerson) and a little bit of art supplies (Harper).  Total mom fail in that I hadn’t realized Harper’s gifts were minimal in comparison to Avery and Emerson’s.  Her and I talked about it and she understood…lesson learned for Mom next year!  Harper’s big gift was a new IPAD and Avery and Emerson each received the IPhone 15 plus. 

Christmas Day we had a great breakfast of lemon scones, French toast, eggs, fruit, bacon, and sausage.  We took a nice family walk in the day and had a second big Italian meal in the evening, my parents joining us, consisting of chicken parm, pasta, sausage meatballs, green beans, and homemade crusty bread.