Deck Them Halls, Y'all!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Being out of town for much of November this year, we started the season way behind on our Christmas preparations. And then the flu hit us right before Christmas, throwing us way off our game. So our holidays were a little subdued this year, but we still managed to get the favorites in.

Spider Man showed up to help us trim the tree.

And we HAD to make time to visit the big man.

Mason enjoys fireside reading.

We went downtown to see the music show and visit the holiday train decorations, where we were clearly on our very best behavior since we were inches away from many, many large, breakable, expensive glass ornaments. Ahem.

My baking helper *might* be guilty of licking the beaters.

He also likes to pulverize... er, chop the candy canes.

This year at the Christmas Eve nativity service, Avery got to be the angel who carries in the baby Jesus (no pressure!) and Mason was a shepherd. With a large stick. Don't worry, the angel next to him only got whacked once.

Daddy's annual reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.

Eggnog toast. Cheers!

All decked out in our Christmas jammies!

Putting out Santa's cookies and milk.

Christmas morning! Waiting patiently for Daddy to turn on the lights.

I think our favorite Christmas present was Grandma and Grandpa coming to visit. This is the snuggly blanket Grandma made for Avery.

We were especially excited this year to make our annual trek to the Festival of Lights.

Roasting s'mores! I'm not sure what happened to the man behind us to make him wet his pants, but I promise we were not involved. Bless his heart.

Train selfie!

Blokus tournament with Grandma and Grandpa.

Mason says that Grandpa is an "expert builder."

It was a sad day when Grandma and Grandpa had to go home.

We celebrated New Year's Eve by going to the movies and out to dinner, then back home for fireworks.

Welcoming 2015 in a sparkly way. Happy New Year!