Happy New Year!

Hello from Austin and Happy 2018! We've now been in our house for a year, which doesn't seem possible. New additions include two hazelnut trees in the backyard (a gift from my Aunt Susan), and outdoor Christmas decorations, which are now back in the garage until next year.

New hazelnut trees (one Jefferson and one Yamhill)

Putting up the Christmas Lights

The finished product

As you all know our big event for the season was a trip to Chicago where James and I performed with the Cedar Park Winds at the Midwest Clinic. We were so blessed to have James' family in Austin for the send off concert and my family in Chicago for the Midwest performance. The whole experience was so much fun! Many of the composers were in attendance and gave us specific comments in the dress rehearsal. We premiered three of the pieces that we played, and performed for a standing room only crowd. Following the performance we stayed in Chicago to celebrate Christmas and Theo's baptism.

The family following the Midwest Clinic performance

Katie and Theo buddled up for the Lincoln Park Zoo Lights

My favorite light

Alice in Wonderland themed lights that flashed in time to music

Downtown Chicago

Chihuly glass art at the Garfield Park Conservatory

    

Part of my Christmas gift from James was tickets to the UT vs KU men's basketball game. We flew home from Chicago that morning and then attended a great game that evening! With the freezing temperatures that made their way to Austin, the farm that we get our CSA box of vegetables from sent out a call for help harvesting. I helped with the carrot and radish harvests, which was a lot of fun.

Rimsky and Duncan say hello!

James is back to work and I will be back on Monday. Here's to a beautiful 2018 full of love, kindness, family and friends.

Love,
Hannah and James