what winter was like

There’s something about travel that puts life in a whole other perspective. For me, returning home from a trip almost always becomes a time of self-reflection—stirring thoughts on what’s most important: family, career and friends.

I’m writing this blog from over the Atlantic aboard a flight from Berlin. I spent five hectic days on the road and, although I had the incredible opportunity to see and experience a new part of the world (pics to come), it’s great to get back to the family. Saying goodbye to Melissa and Trevor and heading off to the airport has become too routine for all of us.

So--as we eagerly await a new season to bring sunshine and Cleveland thaws--here’s look back on how the Freed family spent the winter.

We put some work into the basement/family room in early December, carpeting most of the floor but installing wood laminate in what has become Trevor’s playroom. The plan—which seems more long term than I had initially inspired—is to eventually install a bar. Here’s a photo as well as some new artwork we just hung.

Melissa turned 30 in December and we celebrated by touring wine country in Geneva, dining at Horizons at the Lodge at Geneva State Park and staying overnight. It was a really nice day. Later, in early January, we got friends together for dinner at tre belle in Bath.

Christmas was most exciting for Trevor; his infatuation with Thomas the Tank Engine hasn’t wavered. We had immediate family over for dinner in the late morning and early afternoon—Melissa and I cooked mini spinach calzone appetizers and Italian wedding soup. Uncle Andrew helped install a new track set on Christmas Day and it hasn’t come down since. Andrew and Brandie brought Aiden, the newest addition to the family.

On a day off in January, Trevor and I tackled a sled-riding hill for the first time. He was frightened initially but ended up having a blast. Ironically, his favorite part of the day was swinging on the swingset in the snowy weather. Here's a movie from the day:

On the weekend of February 26, Melissa and I traveled to Houston for the Stefanick-Kirkham wedding. We had a blast--it was great to catch up with friends from both Columbiana and Mercyhurst that I hadn't seen in a while. Congrats to Carrie and Jason; their wedding was pretty amazing, the locations could have been out of a wedding magazine. They're both great people and we're lucky to know them. More pics to come from that soon as well.

It’s been a while since I’ve updated Digital Scratch, but I’m rededicated to making it a priority. Major renovation plans for the site are in the works, so stay tuned. Thanks for reading.