Holiday Highlights

Putting out cookies for Santa (and Mrs. Claus), yogurt covered raisins, a guitar and a computer, opening every present in a different spot, "are we there yet?" ten minutes into the trip, cousins, hugging, being an angel at church, "what is baby Anna doing?" x 1000, mixed up Mr. Potato Head, the ride at St. Anne's Retirement Community, hugging, meeting baby Téah, one nap in seven days, plenty of pizza, books on tape, Hummel dance party, hugging, donut tower, more cousins, the music mini-van, cookies and candy, train ride at the mall, the right amount of pizza, ice cream sundaes with all the toppings, making dips, snowy smoked chicken, cake, hugging, sleeping in, happy new year!



More holiday photos are on our new Flickr site.

Happy Holidays!

200,000 Lights

The crazy lights and music people are at it again this year. They've added 50,000 lights to their beacon of Christmas.

We just had to go back.



We can only imagine what they have planned for next year...

Hi, Santa's Wife!

Evelyn is definitely in the Christmas spirit after today's ride on the holiday train and visit with Santa. Well, Santa was in the room at least.



Evy was not too sure about Mr. Claus, but she and Mrs. Claus are BFFs. Sure, she gave Santa a quick wave on the way past, but then she hopped right up on his wife's lap and started a conversation.

When Evy got around to her Christmas wish list, though, Mrs. Claus convinced her to share it with the big guy too.



She upped the ante from last year and requested a guitar and a computer.

Sounds like my list...

Christmas Preparations

The cold temperatures and snow this weekend really made it feel like the Christmas season. Over the last two days, most of our time was spent getting prepared for the most wonderful time of the year.

Evelyn wanted to start by wrapping some presents all by herself.



And, there you go...



Next, Evy was eager to see what was in the Christmas bins we pulled down from the attic. She also wanted to know how they all fit up there. I think it is a Christmas miracle.

By the end of the weekend the stockings were hung, the lights were twinkling and the tree was decorated. Evelyn put the finishing touch on the top.



Only 18 days until Christmas!

Thanksgiving Extravaganza

Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to spend time with friends and family. Evy was especially excited to hold "Baby Anna."



She actually got a chance to see all six of her cousins during the holiday weekend.





After five days, 500 miles and two turkey dinners, Thanksgiving 2008 was a success. We'll do it all again in a month.

Substituting ham for turkey, of course.