Christmas Morning

Lilly had a blast on Christmas. She usually wakes up around 7 am and Christmas morning she decided to sleep in until 8, so Pete and I were up, just waiting for her to wake up! It was pretty funny. Her favorite present is the rocking chair, but a random fake orange that came with her shopping cart is a close second favorite - she thinks it's a ball. Here are some pictures of her enjoying herself:

This is from last Christmas...just wanted to show how much she's grown!


Looking at her cow flashlight:

Sitting in her new rocking chair:

Christmas photo:

Opening the bitty baby from Gran and Papa Michael:

A fun new tunnel:

Pushing the shopping cart (notice she loaded it with many of her new toys):

Reading in front of the fire (later in the day):

Getting Ready for Christmas

Making applesauce-cinnamon ornaments (these pictures are from before Lilly tried to eat the concoction)

Playing in the packing peanuts from Christmas packages

Helping make cookies (little does she know she's only mixing uncooked pasta, not cookie dough)

Helping clean the house


Taking a break to smile for the camera

Cutting down the Tree

We started a tradition three years ago with our friends, Kim and Tim and their kids - cutting down our Christmas trees together. Last year, only Pete and Tim went since Lilly and Anne were really little, but this year, we all ventured out in the snow. Highlights of this years trip include: Lilly not liking the snow and crying almost every time she was put down unless the dog that was wandering around the fields was in sight, Pete getting hit in the eye with the hook of a bungee cord while trying to secure the tree to Tim and Kim's van, Meg and Kim finding the "perfect tree" only to discover it had two trunks, Anne face planting into the snow, and of course, eating at Barnaby's on the way home.

Abby (almost 4), Anne (13 months), and Lilly


Lilly's first time in the snow:


Before cutting down the tree:


Pete the outdoorsy guy:

Feeding the Ducks

A few weeks ago, we went to the park to feed the ducks and try out Lilly's new winter coat (which she still walks around in like the little brother from the Christmas Story in his snowsuit). Here are a few pictures:

Lilly feeding a duck:



Lilly eating the bread she was supposed to share with the ducks: