Christmas Morning

There's something about a pile of wrapped gifts under a tree that makes me happy. Especially when they weren't there the night before. Even if they weren't for me I'd be happy, it's just a lovely sight no matter what. Of course Bing Crosby singing "Mele Kalikimaka" in the background also adds to the happiness. After the Santa hats were distributed, we commenced the opening.

Anna's "surprise" gift, a new snowboarding jacket.

We've used a combination of about 4 sets of silverware for the past ten years, and slowly our stash has been dwindling. We can't imagine why forks get lost so easily, unless the boogieman steals them, or more probable: they get thrown out with paper plates by incompetent people. So this year someone had the brilliant idea to get mom a silverware set that actually matches!

Me with the best movie of the year: Up. It's pretty much amazing.

It was a very merry Christmas.

(FYI: Sarah and Emily were there too, but somehow evaded the camera. Oops.)

What Christmas Looks Like

Gifts under the tree... A bowl full of clementines...
Our favorite ornaments on display...

Freshly squeezed fruit juice...

And stockings on the wall

^ (Yes, there's an oddball in every group) ^

Christmas Eve Skiing

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!!!

A Week In Fastforward

Although it's been two weeks since Ted, Michelle, and Zoe were here, I just needed to post some of my favorite pics.

Of course we have to start out with one cute family:
And I'm afraid the rest are of Zoe, she stole the show. :) She makes the best faces.

And when she feels like she's been left out of a conversation, she let's herself be heard.

She looks so intelligent. I think she knows something I don't.

With Grandpa.

With Aunt Sarah.

Rockin' her shades.

I miss my baby already...

On the Carousel

Ted, Michelle, and Zoe were just here to visit and we went up to the Carousel Mall on Friday. Of course we had to take Zoe on the carousel. She liked it.

Ok, she loved it. She's totally ready for roller coasters. Whoohoo!!

Mom went too.

Grandma and all the aunts with the babe.

And with Mommy.

Of course Anna and I had to go on.

It was rather thrilling.

Enjoying the Whobilation

Today Anna and I were Who's. And it was great.

Thanksgiving Weekend

We had several out of town friends over for Thanksgiving who also stayed with us for the week. It was really fun getting to hang out with them.

The lovely table. Feel free to feast your eyes on those delightful leaf place cards. Anna and I both got carpal tunnel from cutting those out, but it was so worth it. Mr. and Mrs. Pilgrim decided to join us, made out of old film role cases. Yes, from back in the dark ages.

Our rather long table (or three).

That weekend we went out to the restaurant that Teresa and Emily work at for dessert.

Anna H. (whom we lovingly called "big Anna" since we had two), Emily, and me.

Our two lovely servers. The place was basically empty except for us, so they got to hang out with us for some of the time and steal bites of our desserts.

Out in front of the lit-up moose.

And of course Dad couldn't be left out of the fun!

It was also good to take a break from normal life and think about the things I was thankful for. I really have quite a long list.