Family, friends and festivities!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...

This year we tried out a small, organic Christmas tree farm located about an hour North of us. 

It was peaceful. 

Until the sawing began!  :) 

Holden chose our tree and was quite pleased with herself. It was a perfect size for our home and we enjoyed decorating it together.

It's not easy getting both these lively souls to sit still and look the same general direction but when they do, I can't help but smile when I see them together. 

The above photos are the "outtakes".  I especially like Michael's hairdo.

We had a fun, crafty day with my dad, stepmom and stepsister (teenage nephew also but not pictured)!

"Nani", my mom, came over for our annual gingerbread extravaganza! Holden may have eaten more candy in this one afternoon than she's had all her life combined! 

They decorated a house and a train! The finished products were something to behold!  :)

The girls enjoy visits from our dear friends Terry & Sheryl Kyllo, Iona's Godparents. 

On Christmas Eve we open our one present of new pajamas! 

And we get all prettied up for Christmas Eve service at Celebration Lutheran Church. 

Holden spent a few moments admiring our tree before laying down for her long winter's nap...

Christmas morning comes early at our house and there is a lot of excitement! Nani & Papa spend the day with us, opening stockings and presents, eating brunch and treats. 

I was ecstatic when I received an iPad!! Holden was equally excited about her elephant ring game from Grandma and Grandpa. In my opinion there's no comparison, but try arguing that with a three year old. 

The day after Christmas, the "barrier" (we put a coffee table in front of the tree to slow down our little climber) was not replaced and I captured the moment Iona realized she had full access to the tree. 

Our lovely friend Kate gave the girls these adorable matching owl hats! You'll be seeing more of these! 

Holden's Godparents, Peter & Claire drove the 900+ miles from California to spend several days with us. We treasure our time with them. Holden and Iona kept them busy!                                              

Gotta love all the murals in Anacortes! Holden MUST get her picture taken in front of any we walk by.

December came to an end and we celebrated the New Year with 12 Fruits, a tradition I personally invented that showcases my favorite food--fruit! And what an abundance we are lucky enough to have even in the dead of winter! We enjoyed dipping our fruits in chocolate sauce and whipped cream (Holden's favorite part) while talking about New Year Resolutions. Holden's resolution for 2012 is to go to the beach more often. We're supporting her the best we can. I think it was about 40 degrees and raining on Saturday, but we went where? To the beach.  :)

Yes, we also celebrate Three Kings Day. The Kings came, along with their camels that ate up our hay, and left us each a small gift. You'd think we wouldn't get anything done around here with all our traditions but somehow we do have the laundry relatively caught up, and we haven't run out of clean dishes yet, so we're doing pretty well if that's the gage. 

We're looking forward to 2012. 

We feel blessed with family, friends, health and hope!