Fall again

So, we've been back in the U.S. now four months, and everyone has settled back into Pittsburgh. The kids are somehow super big, with the three oldest almost fitting into the same size clothes and two of those three being within an inch or so of me in height. 

For me, this was a super busy semester, so I'm glad to be on break now. Here are some campus ag and field trip pictures.

Kids have been back to riding the bus, back to school in English...

With some firsts like knitting for Noa and violin for Oren, and class plays and camping trips for Eytan and Li'el.

And the out-of-school things like soccer or cross-country or gymnastics for different kids.

(the mama spent lots of time in the car before early November when many of these things finished).

We have a lot of fall birthdays (Pa's, Uncle Jason's (whose family visited in September), Mama's, Saba's (who came with Safta to visit in October), Noa's, Nana's, Papa's, and Rafi's (who came to visit in December).

There were some bonfires and some forts and some visits from the neighborhood wildlife...

And some reacquainting with old places and patterns.

The goats came back to live at our place for a while, while students at my school regroup (they're in the photo below but teeny).

And we borrowed a trailer to rent a bull for a couple of months in the hopes of having calves (and milk) next summer.

There was a make-your-own chanukiah thing at Hebrew school. 

And so far a mild winter. Meanwhile, we miss Costa Rica. When we come across the kids' school materials or music, or fail to keep up with the millions of WhatsApp messages and school emails from kids' classes (because we don't have to, of course, and there's little time), it's sad (and also happy that we were able to go). Eytan and Li'el are able to keep in touch with friends a little, although schedules make that sometimes hard. Not even I want to live permanently in Turrialba, but it's a lifestyle that probably suits me better than here; although Mike and the kids may be generally happier here.

Last plans for 2023 include a short trip to NY to visit and for Great-George's 107th birthday (we had planned to go over Thanksgiving but were foiled by covid). Meanwhile, wishing you all a good start to 2024!