Hello, 2016!

Emma would like to wish you all a Happy New Year.

Holiday cuteness

OK, just one more Christmas picture. But after this I get to put on a superhero shirt or something more fun. 

Christmas morning

Christmas morning, 8:15 a.m. 

Christmas morning, 8:17 a.m. 

Twas the night before Christmas

Emma's all nestled and snug, by and by
And I just put out Santa's midnight Buckeye.

I wrote him a note to tell him "thank you"
And then off to bed, in my pajamas of blue.

Tomorrow is Christmas, I'll be in gift heaven

But even I hope Emma sleeps in past seven. 

Christmas fireflies

Gotta be honest, I think these laser lights look better on the house then on me. 

Kindergarten holiday play

This week was my class' big Christmas play, and we've been practicing our lines and singing for weeks. And we nailed it all. 

I was one of the deer vying to be the decoration on top of the Christmas tree. There was a lot of subtlety and depth in the role, and I feel like you can sense the inner conflict when my group delivered our line. 

Dad was worried that the microphone didn't really pick me up, so we recorded the line again at home to make sure you get a sense of the enormity of the moment. 

Now I can't wait for our spring play! Our teachers are trying to decide between "Easter Bunny parade" and "Hamlet." Either one has some pretty good songs, from what I hear.

Christmas candy

Ohmigawd did you know that blueberry candy canes make your tongue blue?!?!

Just saying, that's pretty awesome. 

Christmas party at Aunt Jeanne's

Shane, this is fun and everything, but all the food is in the other room. 

Trimming the tree

First we put up the Christmas Village from Aunt Olga...

Then we confuse Emma by putting a tree in the house...

And then we have another room ready for Christmas!

It's beginning to look a lot like ...

... cookies. 

Hey, somebody has to make sure we have something to eat at Christmas. There usually are so few options...

Out of season

It's December and this lawn still needs mowing? That's just crazy. 

Comfy chair

I mean, he's a little lumpy, but this is definitely more fun than the couch.