Christmas Cheer, the Second

I found something I really enjoyed on YouTube, and I'm not sure how to get it into my blog so you can see it. But its most amusing, and I'd really like to share, so if you're interested, go here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28GUU1YbP_E

Have a very joyous Christmas!

Christmas Cheer!

We are getting ready for the holiday mess! I only say mess because the scheduling and all the different family we spend time with can get pretty complicated and feel a bit like a chore. But its always worth it! In our new home last year, without Liam spending Christmas eve, and not doing any Christmas visiting or activities over here, we didn't even bother to put up a tree. This year, we are having family over, and now have two little ones, and its very important to me that they experience the majick of the season as much as possible (and as much as it stresses me out beyond reason)...
So,we put up the tree. As in the tradition of my youth, a child gets the honor of topping it (this usually happens after the lights and ornaments are added, but circumstances made that difficult).

With Josh's help, this year was Liam's turn (because Elliott really doesn't have the motor skills)

We got the best present EVER under the tree:

To date, this is the best shot we have of her smile:

(it so precious, I wish you all could come see it for yourselves!)

Liam still thinks his baby sister is a pretty nifty thing:

And here's Mommy and the babes! Josh tried to set the timer and get in the picture, too, but we couldn't get it positioned right, so we'll just have to have someone else take some pics of the four of us before the tree comes down:

Happy Christmas family and friends!

Promised Update

She had her first shower...
(don't I rock at the photography?)

And her first Thanksgiving...

Liam was thrilled we could bring her up to his class for their special performance

Complete with Handmade Costumes

But mostly, she finds the holiday hubbub just exhausting...

Can't you tell?