Christmas Photos

I have finally figured out how to add photos from our camera and my phone to the blog. The smart phone learning curve is quite steep, at least for me. And I've taken most apps off my phone as I've found it far too distracting in life. I've never been a huge sitting-in-front-of-the-computer fan so the smart phone may not be for me. But, having Google Maps on my phone has made navigating a new city much easier.

Oh Christmas time. I realized for the first time this year how long it is and how much pressure I feel to make it as eventful and Christmas-y as possible now that I have Louisa. Although Sammy was unable to come home for Christmas due to her hip surgery, we were able to start the Christmas season off with a long visit from Louisa's favorite person. Even better, there was a millimeter of snow the day she was supposed to fly out so she stayed even longer due to canceled flights! We decorated the tree, we made Christmas cookies (very frustrating with a toddler), we attended a Christmas parade in Old Town Alexandria and a Christmas something-or-other at the National Harbor. The latter was essentially a hotel with a huge atrium with some Christmas stuff, most of which cost a lot of money. So we found an Irish dance contest and watched some dancing, then had lunch.

Looking for Dusty, the airplane on the tree. Note the sparkles - apparently that's what my phone does.

Sammy gave Louisa a Nay Nay Purse for Christmas - Louisa spent a lot of time dancing with her Nay Nay

Visiting Santa at our community center. Louisa was unsure about cuddling Santa.

She's working up the effort.

Tolerating Santa for Mom, Dad and Sammy. And for a candy cane.

"Okay!" she exclaims, "time to go!"

Amos and Louisa went home for Christmas about 18 hours before me. Unfortunately, around 2am the morning Amos and LJ left, Louisa woke up crying and holding her ear. Amos rushed to the ER around 7am, Louisa was diagnosed with an ear infection, Amos found antibiotics and benedryl, managed to just make the airplane and land safely in God's land by the afternoon.

I came the next day and we celebrated Christmas with my mom's side of the family that evening. Louisa LOVES the Snyder women. Usually it takes her a while to warm up to a new location, but the second we entered Ricki's house Louisa started dancing around the living room, cuddling with any cousin who would have her, and entertaining us all. She took a particular liking to my cousin Tara, who Louisa talks about on a daily basis. My aunt, Ricki, one of the most thoughtful gift-givers I know, gave Louisa a pink tutu and a tiara which overjoyed Louisa. She spent the evening dancing around in her outfit.... and playing with Ricki's phone.

Louisa's princess outfit.

I'm so beautiful in my Hope Diamond!

Posing with her favorite person, Tawa.

Louisa gazed longingly at all of Ricki's baked goods.

And enjoyed torturing herself with red hots.

My cousins! Great Christmas!

The next day Louisa and I ventured to Rochester to see Papa. We knew we'd get to see him Christmas day but, the Tuttle family is a large clan which means less alone time with Papa, so we hoped to spend some quality time with him. She still every once in a while will look at me and say, Papa's house?

A visit with Papa. Louisa enjoyed pizza but enjoyed Papa's company even more.

The next morning Louisa and I woke bright and early so we could meet Gretchen and her daughter, Tilly, at the MOA. Gretchen and I have a tradition of going to the MOA and it always ends with us doubled over in laughter. In fact, that morning it occurred to me that Gretchen and I are generally the loudest people at the MOA, with or without babies. We were convinced we could recreate this with toddlers. Of course, we overlooked the feisty and independent spirit of these girls. So we spent most of the time chasing after the girls and assuring each other when we did this next year, it'd be much easier.

Shopping at Old Navy. This was one of few moments where we actually knew where our children were.

Attempting to make things easier. This was unsuccessful.

So instead Louisa helped Gretchen push the stroller.

The Disney Store. Louisa had to spend some time exploring.

We tried to get the girls to pose here. Another unsuccessful idea. Next year will be better!

That evening, we met Amos's friends in Minneapolis for dinner. Louisa took to Donnie and Kate's daughter Zoe, and spent most of the evening playing with Zoe's lovely red locks. Glin, a good friend from Portland who grew up in St. Paul, was also in town so she stopped by, a great surprise for LJ.

Louisa couldn't believe it! Glin is in town!

And Louisa does not want to let go of Zoe.

Because we can never get enough of Glin, we met her the next morning at Nina's. Donnie and Zoe also came as did my friend, Heather, with her toddler, Ruby.

A cold morning at Nina's. Nothing is more Minnesota.

Luckily, Ruby and Heather found us in St. Paul.

Oh Glin, we don't want to let you go!

Christmas Eve we went to the Happy Joe's smorgesbord. Life-changing. Billie, Danny and Yaiza met us and we spent about 2.5 hours at Happy Joe's. We ate the entire time.

Happy Joe's with Yaiza!

Uh oh, another phone. We had a 2.5 hour lunch.

Luckily, Chad was able to stop by my house in order to observe my New Ulm uniform of stained sweatsuits and ponytails. Chad lives in San Francisco and is eager to move back to Minnesota so we tried to make an action plan about moving back.

A brief visit with our favorite New Ulm boy, Chad.

As is tradition, we spent Christmas Eve with family friends, Sharon and Dave. Their granddaughter, Olivia, also joined us. This is the most entertaining child. After dinner, we gathered in the living room to open presents where Louisa and Olivia spent the majority of the time exclaiming "We all fall down!", falling down and rolling around the floor. After they tired of that, Olivia performed a number of Irish jigs.

We all fall down!

A Christmas kiss.

The next day, we went to Richfield to spend a Christmas lunch with Gram and Rochester to spend the evening with the Tuttles. It was a great day, but somehow I didn't save any photos from the trip. This is an example of my inability to do anything 100%. Sorry!

The rest of the time we spent in NU. Luckily the weather warmed so we could spend time outside, but due to my illness, we didn't get to go sledding as we had planned. But we built a snowman and shoveled which was winter enough for all of us.

Painting NayNays with Nanny.

Getting ready for the snow.

This is how we roll in NU. Crosswords, Nanny's cooking and coloring on the counter.

Louisa wanted Chucho (Doo-Doo) to color with her. He wasn't in the mood.

A 37 degree day is perfect for making snowmen!

Hilarious!

We returned to DC with two whiskered ladies in tow. It is wonderful having the girls here. They provide great companionship to us and to LJ. They also impress all of our visitors as they have no inhibitions about climbing on a stranger's lap.

Together again!

Making pancakes for Sissy. Thanks Nanny for the dish set!

Boy is Sissy hungry!

On New Year's Eve, we attended this First Night event in Alexandria where daytime consisted of children's events throughout Old Town and evening consisted of music events. We went to a story hour and a cookie decorating shop but then found ourselves too frozen to continue to explore. Instead we found a great pizza place where we sat for two hours. We were placed in the upstairs of the restaurant where Louisa was able to look down on the other patrons from small windows. It also seemed to be the place where the hosts seated all families with children as it ended up becoming a mini-NYE party with a bunch of toddlers. Louisa had a great time.

New Year's Eve

A new friend!

Making claben. Louisa really likes anything with gluten. Good thing we left Portland!

Getting ready to watch Downton Abbey with the Tara Blankie.

Entertaining Cristina as we watch Homeland

That is the end of our Christmas time. Although I love Christmas, I was eager for the Christmas tree to go and to get settled back into a routine. Amos and Louisa attend playgroups with the Mom's Group in my area most days and go to a museum maybe one day a week. We have spent weekends catching up with old friends and going to museums. We started Music Together, the music class Louisa has been in since four months (I HIGHLY RECOMMEND MOMS! This is why Louisa is so advanced verbally). But it is pretty mediocre compared to the classes we attended in Portland which is disappointing. However, Louisa made the best of it as she does and wandered around singing and dancing. She was the most enthusiastic child in the group, as usual.

Hope everyone is enjoying the warm-up in Minnesota!