Christmas

We were so blessed with another amazing Christmas this year. 

 Christmas Eve day was relaxing & sweet. We hung around the house enjoying a quiet day

 and the warm weather during a family walk through the woods. 

 It was then time to get ready for Christmas Eve mass. 

 This year, Kate was a shepherd who lead the way to Bethlehem. 

 After a quick costume change, she held the star of Bethlehem. 

 After mass we celebrated with the Cavanagh family, over the traditional feast of crab legs and butter. The best. 

Cavanagh cousins.

 Christmas love. 

 The kids blessedly slept until after 7 on Christmas morning, and then opened presents from Santa. 

 Later that morning we drove to Grandma & Grandpa Vogel's where we opened more presents and spent lots of time with family, including this little cutie. 

This time of year more than ever, we are overwhelmed by the love of the season & family. 

"It's not what's under the tree that matters. It's who's around it". -Charlie Brown 

Our Little Climber

Everyone who knows Kate knows that she loves to climb. This is a picture of her at less than two, having climbed up the outside of our stairs. I have had to adopt the strategy of "just don't look" because otherwise I spend the time at the park freaking out. 

So...yesterday Jason took her to an indoor climbing park. She stayed for four hours and loved every minute of it. 

 

 "Though she be but little, she is fierce." -Shakespeare 

There is no stopping the heights this one will climb!

Lately

The holidays are in full swing around here and we are enjoying the magic of season! 

From election day: he accidentally ripped his "I Voted" sticker at school (he voted for original Oreos instead of the vanilla ones), so he made his own sticker.   

Our annual trip to the Playhouse. This year's production was The Boxcar Children, which Kate loved. 

 Kate + Grandma C.

 The weekend after Thanksgiving we got to work decorating for Christmas. This was the first year I just sat on the couch and watched the kids put up the ornaments. Listening to them chatter about all of their favorites is the best. 

 Stockings were hung.

 

 December has also meant basketball weekends. Both kids are playing this year and they both love it. So proud of them for trying something new!

 Kate + Papa Jack

Tonight Kate and I took a winter walk around the neighborhood. Never too cold to pass up a good climbing tree!

 The fun of Christmas has only begun and we can already tell it's going to be a good one!