some more christmas

Around Halloween we picked up these battery operated candles, thinking we'd use them for pumpkins and such. That never happened, so I brought them out for Christmas. It seems we've got a collection of candle holders (this one from Albuquerque, this one from...Fridley (?!)). Displayed up high and out of reach of little hands. But not out of view. So after some pestering ("Roman hab it", "Zoe hab it"), I took them down.

Like everything, this became a toy. Or something for Roman to stack, sort, organize and carry around. Easy fun.

 Zoe likes them too. And she likes her tutu - a new bright red one for the holidays.

 Try as I might, it's still tough to get you two looking at the camera at the same time.

 But I like that Daddy's yawning in the background.
Apropos.

 Say cheese. Or queso. The last few days Roman has upgraded his "no" to "no way jose". Thanks Grandma Candy for that...It's kind of hard to keep a straight face when he's practicing his right of refusal in this manner. No problemo, Roman.

And the abominable snowman has surrendered his scary powers. I think after a few weeks out you guys are getting a little more  used to him. Maybe. Not too sure yet.
He's been a good protector of the tree - you don't want to get too close to this guy.

Grandma Jane's report of Christmas Eve

http://jane-inthemiddlelane.blogspot.com/2010/12/new-christmas-story.html

well captured. :)

Merry Christmas Everybody!

Time to wake up Zoe and get the heck out of Dodge and start celebrating Christmas Eve!

OH boy

Christmas time is here, it's all becoming a big blur... We just took a trip down to Chicago for two nights to visit family..photos and stories to follow, I am sure.

In the mean time a little Christmas light viewing. My favorite comment on this years lights comes from your dad, who came in after he had them put up in the front of the house and said "It looks like Mystic Lake {casino} out there".

 A little blinking, a little chasing...No ding! ding! dings! (but wouldn't that be nice?)
 

The little trees toward the front got buried in snow - all that is viewable is the star tree topper!

Everyone dancing merrily in the new, old-fashioned way

let the Christmas spirit ring

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

It's the holiday season

With the whoop-de-do and hickory dock....

Sometimes Christmas day kind of feels like a let down.  The fun, dear kids, is in the preparation. Your Grandma Candy came over a few Sundays ago and hung out while we started decorating with more gusto. Actually, your Dad did most of the work. We decided another year with the fake tree, so your Dad went to work on getting it all perty.

 

Grandma, meanwhile fitted you in antlers while we listened to Christmas music and generally made things more difficult for your dad.

 

Somebody and somebody got a surprise from Grandma. Rudolph and Abominable snowman suckers.

ARRRR.

And a new tree topper.

Yoda.

Force us with.

Grandma got a little cuddle time while watching some Christmas tv (Rudolph!).

Daddy had fun playing with the camera while taking a picture of the Christmas tree.

May the calendar keep bringing

Happy Holidays to you

Not gonna sit on your lap, Santa

We took advantage of no line back in November and went and saw Santa at Macy's downtown. We were down there for GIORGIO Live!  and thought we'd check out the Christmas display. Good times. No people, no lines.
Since we saw Santa we've had the chance to watch some Christmas movies and you two are getting to be able to name him on sight. I don't think you really had a clue who this dude was when we went. But I don't think knowing who is is now would make for any more comfort. So Mom and Dad get to be in the picture.

So far my favorite movie of the season is the Polar Express. I hadn't seen it before and it was fun to watch. Twice. With you.

On a side note I corrected Roman after he called the Noah that goes with his ark "Santa". Older man, white beard = Santa. Nope, Roman. In this case it's NOAH. :)  That and pointing out Baby Jesus in Grandma's nativity scene. It's his birthday coming up you know. Mima just might bake a cake for the occasion. :)

p.s. SNOWED in for a day or so. We got a bunch of snow this weekend. Your dad was glad - he got to use the new snowblower he got this fall. He's like a little kid with that thing.

These bears aren't in hibernation

Yee Haw!

Would our Christmas decorations be complete without a Jessie?
No.
And thank you Hallmark for the $10 coupon in the Oprah magazine. :)

And Sheriff Woody

And how cute is THAT?  A Sheriff Woody costume, complete with hat.

Tinker Bell Bear (f.k.a. Flower Girl bear)

After Laura and Andy gave you two the Build A Bears for "working" the wedding we took a look at what else was out there. Oh my, cute stuff. And when a Groupon deal came up, I took advantage of that discount. Meet TinkerBear (as I like to call her). I think Zoe's had her in bed with her most nights now.

Show me your car, Roman

Yes, Elmo IS funny

Blueberries are GOOD

Originally I got frozen blueberries to put in plain yogurt. You went with that one for awhile. Until you realized you really wanted your own little containers of premixed presweetened yogurt and not the version I made from the bulk container. OH well.

But you still LOVE those blueberries.

Good all by themself.

or while wearing your SUGAR BABIES! bib. I think Grandma Candy must have taught you to say it in a specific way becaue every time I pull this one out Zoe says it in an excited voice: SUGAR BABIES!!

Which makes me laugh every time. Thanks, Zo.

You Got a Friend in Me

Time to start decorating

Okay, truth be told I think the Christmas decorations started going up in early November, when we got our first snow. And I think it was your Dad who put up the first set up lights. Way up high are the Hallmark ornaments that your Grandma Candy started collecting for you. We've kind of helped it along the way. Who's up there?

Tink-er Bell!
Of course.

And Cars. Mater and Lightening McQueen gathered around a tree made of tires. I told Roman to show it to me, so he dutifully held it up for the camera.

I'm not sure why we let you guys touch these things. A) Glitter everywhere and b) Not really toddler friendly, but c) back up high where you can admire them from a distance :)

I must say I am thankful for the modern Tinkerbell. A female figure who has real skills (she tinkers!) and uses them. A far cry from a princess who waits around for her prince to come. Blerg!

I was thinking about this the other day when contemplating all the boy/girl themed toys/stuff/collectibles. Pretty often it's the Disney Princesses for the girls. I wasn't a princess girl. Nor was I really a Tinkerbell kind of girl, but given the choice I much prefer the latter. But then again it's the end of my day and I'm kind of dazy.

Go Tinkerbell!

to the zoo