A Christmas morning at Home before the Christmas Morning Afar

 We fly to Park City today, so Santa came a couple days early because he knew we would have limited space on the plane to bring toys home. Thanks, Santa, we appreciate you knowing how helpful this will be.

Santa and parents around the world have such an intimate relationship this week.  I feel so connected to both the spirit of the North Pole and to all parents that are going so far out of their way, staying up late, buying into the magic and glory of Christmas,  all to orchestrate the best possible morning (or night) for their children's wondering eyes.  Whether kids are enchanted by or skeptical of Santa, all parents seem to bond together in this quest to fill their house with spirit and belief.  Cheers to parents and to kids and to Santa.  I feel connected to all of you today. 

A few pictures of the Avenue C Christmas Morning on the 23rd.
Excuse the fuzzy pictures - no time to edit - must catch a flight in 2 hours.  Whew!

Christmas Tree Hunt

 

Chris, along with most people I would assume, claims his favorite holiday as Christmas without hesitation.  He always makes sure however, to specify that it is the whole season that makes his heart swell, not just December 25th.  If you know my dear husband, you probably also know that he sings Christmas songs all year around. Seriously though, Chestnuts are roasting in March and Santa Claus is coming to town in July .  He is the one guy who sees the decorations go up in Target and the carols start in Starbucks and says joyously, "Finally!" Mind you, this starts in SEPTEMBER nowadays right after they put away the back to school supplies and everyone else seems to say "Already??" even though it happens every year.  Although I used to be irrationally righteous about not wanting to start celebrating Christmas until after Thanksgiving, after years of watching Chris rejoice for months beforehand, I have given in and put my silly principle away.  Celebration is celebration and I will not squander opportunities to share in the glory of festivity any longer.

So while Chris will still hold the spirit for months longer than I can stomach, I DO love, truly adore, the search for the perfect tree.  It may be my favorite part of Christmas honestly.  We have yet to find the perfect tree lot and have been trying different ones out each year, but we do end up with happy tree-hunting babies and beautiful happy trees in our living room.

Here are some pictures of our hunt for the perfect 2016 tree.  I think we found a beauty and she is all dressed up for a grand party!

MORE Christmas Tree hunts here (2014)  and here (2012)!

 

The pictures make it look like it is drizzling and/or a fire blazing behind us.

Neither of which is the case.

 

Cheyenne is an amazing older sister.  She is a leader, a support, a true friend.  She can't however, for the life of her, stop laughing when Avalon does something like put hay in her mouth or avocado in her hair.   This only makes Avalon rejoice in these habits all the more.

Only in So Cal do you wear a hoodie with bare feet.  I am always caught with a sweater, a scarf and flip flops (if I must wear shoes) all winter.   A girl after my own heart.

The 4th.

Happy Anniversary.

4 years ago.
I love you dear friend, sweet love, heart of my heart.

Mother's Day 2013

Flowers and a special home-made breakfast.  

Thank you to these two hearts of my heart.

And who could forget Mr. Strider

Time goes so fast, I can't believe I have been a Momma for almost two years.

Sacramento Easter

Celebrating Easter a month later at the Fisher's house.

Easter Bunny

Easter morning we took Cheyenne to the window and asked if she saw the Easter Bunny.

She looked and looked and frowned and seemed confused that there was nothing on the patio unusual. We told her that he must still be sleeping or got caught in traffic.  Periodically throughout the morning, we would go check and look and look, each time to no avail.  After lunch Cheyenne went for her nap and this is when the Bunny came to work his magic.  When she woke up, we rushed her right to the window again... and lo and behold...

Mr. Bunny had arrived.