Not exactly in season, but ...

It may not look Christmassy, but our cruise with "Pa" (Grandma and Grandpa) was really fun and got us in the holiday spirit. Here are some highlights:

Fun with lifejackets:



Grandparents next door = 100% undivided loving attention:



Swimming in the "moat" at the kids' swimming pool:




The "tickle carrot" (a nose-tickling concept introduced by Grandpa):



What is this place?



Ben's obsession with letters and numbers continues:



Hamming it up for Pa:

Courtesy of my stomach virus: a recipe for homemade ginger ale

1 1/2 c. sliced fresh ginger
1 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 (1-liter) bottles club soda or plain seltzer, chilled

Combine ginger (don’t bother to peel it), sugar, and 1 1/2 c. water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Lower heat and simmer mixture about 15 minutes, or until it reaches the consistency of pancake syrup (you should have about 1 c. syrup). Strain syrup and cool to room temperature. Stir in lemon juice. Place 2 T. syrup in 8-oz. glasses and fill 3/4 full with club soda. Gently stir to blend. Add ice and more club soda or syrup if necessary.

We just returned from a cruise yesterday that we went on with Grandma and Grandpa, or as Ben calls them, "Pa." (Michael and I call them Pa: the Collective.) More soon on the trip when I'm feeling better. Christmas preparations are getting away from me!

Passport photo before and afters

Results of photo session at the post office:

Results of Michael manipulating an existing photo to passport photo guidelines:

What a difference having a designer in the family makes.