We spent part of the holidays in Kansas City with family, beginning our trip with a Christmas Eve visit to my grandma Martha. That evening, we enjoyed a scrumptious dinner at Lydia’s with Zach’s mom, Beth—ordering the pasta trio—before heading home to wrap a few last-minute gifts. On Christmas morning, we had a wonderful time with Brian, Darlene, Jadzia, and Grandpa Don. We opened gifts, enjoyed veggie quiche, and played a board game called Obscurio . Later that evening, we c

Zach and I ran a snowy Jingle 5K at the Tidal Basin last weekend. It was absolutely frigid—our toes went numb early on—but we had a blast. The holiday spirit helped, especially with so many runners showing up in full Christmas costumes, which made the cold feel a little more fun. I’ve also been spending time at Bethesda Fine Arts Studio, where I started pastel art classes in late November. So far, I’ve worked on a still life of a swan and apple, as well as drawings of penguin

My parents visited us in DC, and we spent the week exploring the city and nearby areas on long walks. They met Goose and Berry, and we ended the trip by enjoying the sparkling lights at the Smithsonian Zoo.

Earlier this week, we adopted two four-month-old kittens—Goose and Berry! They’re a bonded pair, brothers from a litter of five. Playful, snuggly, and cute as buttons, they’ve already filled our home with purrs and mischief.