Cousin Rachel licking the syrup off the umbrella that came with her order of Jeanine’s special chocolate chip pancakes.

Cousin Johnny played with Kyle’s indoor soccer team this evening. Both boys scored and both made assists to each other. Nicolai joined the game with just minutes to go and it was fantastic seeing all three cousins playing together on the same squad and bringing home the win.

Angela demonstrating the finer points of scrabble strategy during a game with Kyle, Nico, and Johnny.

Rachel and Maya have been playing a game in which Maya is a tiger and Rachel is the owner.

We were very fortunate this year to be joined by my parents, sister, and her family who braved snow and traffic to be together with us.

This year, Jeanine tried a new method for preparing the turkey, and it was out of this world.

Nicolai took full responsibility for making the butter horn rolls this year. I, for one, am looking forward to sampling his work.

Nicolai is unable to block Kyle’s jump shot even with a little extra reach.

I usually associate the season’s first snow with Christmas rather than Thanksgiving. Maya took no time whatsoever to fashion this snow person.

Maya is getting ready for Thanksgiving. Actually, she was playing with my chef hat from work. Each year, Avid executives serve a Thanksgiving Day meal to the employees. I was in charge of mashed potatoes and green beans this year. The kids are always humored when I assume any role that has to do with the preparation of food.

Although I am still sidelined with an injury, my team played today for the division championship and emerged victorious. It was a terrific game which we won in a penalty kick shoot out. It was a fantastic way to end the season. Later in the day Maya and I attended our first father daughter dance. We had the best time and I only wish I had a photograph of us dancing together.

Today I was privileged to photograph this brave young lady as a favor for her father who is a colleague of mine. It is rare to look though the viewfinder and see grace on the other side. Today that is what I saw. After our session, her dad took this photo of us. Jeanine said it was the best one of the day.

Maya and her friend Julie are playing bingo at Willard Family Fun Night. It is more fun when you win. Nicolai went to the new Harry Potter film with friend Chloe and Kyle and spent a quiet evening at home nursing his sore noggin.

Kyle smashed his head into the goal post at soccer practice this evening and experienced mild memory loss. A trip to the emergency room confirmed a concussion and his medical directive is to avoid sports entirely for at least one week. Regrettably, he was set to travel to Bethesda, MD tomorrow for a soccer tournament and now will be forced to sit out. To add insult to injury, the doctor confirmed that his injury would not interfere with his ability to complete homework.