Holiday Happs

December doesn't often leave much breathing room for blogging, but I'm sitting in my office nook with zero distractions.  Dude is at Tai Kwondo camp (a gift during the 2nd long week of Christmas vaca) and Tim and Squirt are hitting the slopes in Winter Park.  Dude and I came down from our cabin get away a day early so he could karate chop his way through the remainder of the week, which leaves me with Time.To.Myself.

We've had an unusually low key December.  Below is a photo summary of what we did to bring in the birth of sweet little baby Jesus.

We adorned the new house with all things decorative, which was almost like moving in all over again for me.  Kinda loved it.  And kinda bought a bunch of irresistible Christmasy decor items that were screaming at me. The tree was decorated in stages as well all cycled through the flu.  That was super fun.

Our new hood organizes a family friendly Christmas party every year and we were pumped to check it out. A Santa(ish) character is present, carolers sing, food is served, coloring is offered for the littles so the adults can divulge and commiserate, and the night closes out with Clydesdale horses pulling a white wagon around the neighborhood streets.  We were impressed.

My parents arrived mid December for a week.  I organized my "Sometimes Annual" Cookie Exchange for the night after they arrived, allowing her to participate.  I adore the group of women who gathered this year.  Old friends, oldish friends, newer friends and brand spankin new friends joined in the festivities.  It's always nostalgic for me to see this conglomeration of women who I love come together under one roof.

We did a family Christmas day with Nana and Papa and loved watching the kids squeal for joy at the treasures Nana finds each and every year.  They know these kids of ours quite well and cater to their inner most passions and desires (like baby dolls, space, chap stick and magic).

The following day Tim and I boarded a plane for 4 days in Arizona.  He had work meetings and his lovely boss graciously invited me to join him for relaxation and unlimited food.  I thought about it for 2.6 seconds and we booked my flight.  Luckily Nana and Papa agreed to come watch the monkeys because I was going regardless of that outcome.  We were blessed to stay at the Four Seasons, which is a ridiculous, rare treat. We took naps, hiked, partook in many a happy hour, took baths, read by the fireplace, sat in the hot tub, got my nails done, ate delish meals with his co-workers, slept in and slept uninterrupted....Merry Christmas to us.  Best gift ever.  THANK YOU Merial and Mom and Dad.    

 Nana Nancy found a perfect home for the Fancy Nancy doll she's been storing.  It was a Fancy Christmas indeed.  

Her reaction to this little treasure was a treasure in and of itself. 

This was Dude, attempting to pull a rabbit from his new magic hat.  I have to admit that he was quite disappointed and surprised in the lack of rabbit result.