Christmas Strong

Tomorrow morning the Cartwrights and Heffron-Cartwright head out to Washington DC to a)complete the family...the missing piece is surprisingly not Caitlin but Brendan and b)when all of the Cartwrights and Heffron-Cartwright are together we will celebrate Christmas. I'm anticipating a wonderful time. I love the historical flavor of DC, that's one of the things I'm most excited about. That, and president Obama will probably invite us over to the white house for Christmas dinner. I'm also looking forward to museums and a fabulous gecko exhibit that I've been hearing a lot of buzz about. Looking forward to all sorts of funventures.

December Thus Far

So, I'm finished with my volunteer/intern/resident artist position at Pocosin. It was a great two or so months. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot. Next up, the actual incubator (now referred to in the office as bootcamp) program. The studio is all set up and is looking pretty great. Maia and I have taken the liberty of picking out or work benches. I'm really looking forward to going back in January.

I also celebrated my 25th birthday. I guess it's one of those milestone birthdays like 18, 21, 50, 100...anyways, it was a nice time. I went to the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke. It was a Sunday in December so the crowds were down to a minimum. We did not need to use the overflow parking that was available. I saw sharks! turtles! river otters! and other things!!!!! Then in the evening we had a nice dinner and chocolate beer and instead of cake, two kinds of pies. YES!!!

Rivertown Christmas

This past week I have spent my volunteer duties helping to decorate Pocosin Arts for Christmas. Maia and I did a pretty swell job. This was the first time Maia had ever decorated for Christmas as she is Jewish so we decorated during the day and on Wednesday night we celebrated the first night of Chanukah with sweet potato latkes. Also, during this weekend starting yesterday the town of Columbia has all sorts of fun and festive activities to participate in. Last night was La Posada where the Hispanic community goes from door to door (at the local businesses) to ask for room at the inn and of course they have to be turned away until we get to the high school. Then everyone is welcome to eat a feast of Mexican food and oreos and spaghetti. Today Santa comes to town..by boat!! There will be a parade of lighted boats on the Scuppernong river.

Thanksgiving Happened

Our theme this year was "Room For One More". Because we had a wide variety of people from all over we thought it appropriate that there be another place set just in case someone else decided to show up. Pretty biblical stuff. Our dinner activity was to go around and say who we would invite. No family members allowed! There were a wide range of folks from Jesus to Squanto.

Brendan carves the Turkey with a knife and a wooden spoon

Colin watches his 9 hrs of football

Mom talks to Caitlin on the phone

Dad makes his Thanksgiving wishes come true