Snow Blizzard - Most snow in at least 5 years

 Last night about 9 pm: shoveled about 2 in of snow

Still snowing this morning with official amount of 18 inches at 3 am

First Measurable SnowFall in Princeton this Season

 Last weekend we had the first measurable snowfall in Princeton, NJ for this season. It was about 4 inches - the wind caused very uneven deposits in the 3-7 inch range. The last time Princeton had snowfall approaching this amount was February 2024.

July visit to Shelter Island

 For a second summer, we spent some time with Kristina & Jake's family at Cottage Green on Shelter Island. This time there was a young pilot for the trip from LA.

The kids and grandparents:

Julian & Grandpa                                           Maya & Grandma                   

Maya, Kristina, Jake, Julian:

Grandma, Kristina, and Maya:

Getting around in LA

Ride in a Jaguar

Maya Francis Levine-Budelis 7 lbs 3 oz Friday October 11 8:51am

 Jake wrote: 

"We've both always liked the name Maya. As we were considering names and learning their meanings, we fell more in love with it, and after meeting her last week it just felt right. 

Maya means so many beautiful things in so many languages: illusion or magic in Sanskrit, water or spring in Hebrew, nurse or good mother in Greek, love, compassion or kindness in Hindi, courage in Maori, and generous or hospitable in Old Persian.* We also liked that it started with an M, as did Kristina's maternal grandfather's first name (Murray AKA Mike Sands). 

Francis is a name we've loved for some time. My mom Jill's middle name was Francine — though she hated it, we like that Francis offers a connection between Maya and her grandmother Jill.

Last but not least, Levine-Budelis is a testament to our indecision; we apologize in advance to our children for having to deal with a hyphen for their entire lives.

Julian has been a wonderful big brother, shouting "baby sister is crying" and running over to give her her pacifier whenever she needs it. When he gets home from preschool each day the first thing he asks is to go see his baby sister. We're so proud of how he is adjusting to the new member of the family!"

The New Soccer Player

 Julian's first goal:

Fox still Roaming Southern Way in Princeton

 A visitor this afternoon

I'm glad we have a neighborhood fox to keep the chipmunks and squirrels at bay. Those little guys are beautiful, interesting creatures; however, they eat things that I've grown for our enjoyment! I'm a little concerned that the fox does present a danger to Teddi, our Toy Yorkie, when she's alone in the yard. Thus, we usually stay with her since foxes avoid people as best they can.

Brief Break in Montauk LI

 We enjoyed a short off-season trip to Montauk

Warm Holiday visit to Family in LA

 At playground on Santa Monica beach

At home in Marina Del Rey

Mother's Day 2022 in Sayen Gardens

Sayen Park Botanical Garden, Mother's Day 2022