Christmas Eve

Leaving cookies and egg nog for Santa
Michael had to test one of the cookies

Christmas Day

We had a wonderful holiday
I feel so blessed to have my whole family together

Michael starting with the presents - he was careful at first
Then quickly started ripping open the paper to get to the toys

The ball popper was the biggest hit

He was thrilled to receive feta stuffed olives (thanks Philo!)

My second cousin Sangeetha and her husband joined us for a fabulous Christmas dinner
Here we're waiting for my mom's famous Christmas pudding

Elizabeth had to wear all of her Christmas dresses

She didn't seem to mind the outfit changes

Elizabeth enjoyed her first Christmas

Michael and Elizabeth had a wonderful time with their grandparents

Elizabeth got her first tooth on December 11th
She is rubbing her thumbs against the little tooth
and making them raw

She has been showing so much interest in our food.

I decided to put some pasta and Bolognese sauce in the blender and she ate an entire bowl.
Since then she has insisted on all table food. She enjoyed turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy on Christmas Eve (and I didn't even mash it). Guess I can stop making her baby food.

Michael's School Party

Twenty children sat at this long table and enjoyed their class party.

Here is Michael praying really hard
I think he was so busy squeezing his eyes shut he forgot to put his hands together

They also had a school assembly. Everyone behaved so well.

He enjoyed the puppet show and Santa's visit
He is going to miss school over the winter break

Visit with Santa

Michael was so excited to see Santa this year
After he told Santa what he wanted
he said that Elizabeth wants a puzzle
Hmmm ... that sounds fishy

Michael did not want to get off of Santa's lap
while Elizabeth couldn't get away fast enough

Our holiday pictures

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

Elizabeth is six months old today
I've said it before but she is such a happy baby
Always smiling and laughing
Last week she was quite sick and even spent
Thanksgiving Eve in the hospital
Elizabeth is all better and back to her happy self



It was definitely time for a haircut

In the front her bangs were past her eyes
And in the back it was going down her back

She's even enjoying her first haircut

I snipped a lot of hair
I filled a zip top bag in addition to what's in the bowl

Christmas season is here - already!!

This is the first year that Michael enjoyed decorating the tree

He carefully selected one ornament at a time and told each person which one to hang

The first ornament he chose (picture with Nani and Papa)

Elizabeth was so happy
She loves all the lights

Lighting the first candle on the advent wreath

Michael thought he had to blow out the candle
after we said the prayer