Monday, February 9, 2015

Finley's First Christmas!

We usually take a vacation over the Christmas break; typically heading to colder climes as can be found in Colorado.  This year, paranoid about measles and other childhood illnesses that Finley is not yet immune to, we decided to have Christmas at home.   Mary was happy - she wanted to stay home for Christmas this year.

Our new neighborhood is well known in town for having the most elaborate Christmas decorations.  Horse drawn carriages and tractor-trailer rides amble through the streets, filled with paying passengers who come to "ooh" and "aahh" over the amazing light displays.

I imagine they were quite disappointed as they drove by our house:

I think not bad for just-moved-in-and-have-a-newborn-baby

We took a few walks around and snapped some photos.





One particular house goes above and beyond, spending over a month preparing their house for the Christmas season.  You can tune in to their very own radio station and listen to their choice of music as you drive by.




It's difficult to see the house!



I think my favorite decorations of all were the house across the street:





Of course, Mary made a gingerbread house.  
I miss my days of teaching when we would all wear Santa hats and make them using graham crackers and Kings icing.


We stocked up on broken candy canes, trampled Tootsie Rolls and church fliers at the downtown Christmas parade.



I kinda want one of these jumping cars.  This will be my midlife crisis car.

Santa never has any trouble finding us at Christmas, so we weren't surprised when he showed up at the new house.


Mary is the only child I know who prefers to eat breakfast before opening gifts.

"Black Cat", as requested in her letter to Santa.


Daniel forgot to write a letter to Santa, but he had wished very hard for a bone and had only peed on the new carpet one time so he was sure he was on the nice list.

The Big Gift

The Aftermath

It was kitchen appliance year for me.  Who knew a Kitchen Aid could shred chicken?!  I have since spent around $356 per week on K-Cups.


Andrew took on responsibility for Cofey-Piffle this year, which was smart because, if left to me, he would be stuck in that vase again for two weeks.  



In other December news...

C.J. Kelly park, just a short bike ride away, has been renovated and finally opened!

The plane moved into a new hangar.  This one doesn't have rhino-sized potholes or mouse pooh.


Mary enjoyed the Christmas party at Double Diamond Stables.  She really looks forward to these lessons, far more than she ever enjoyed gymnastics, soccer, dance, tennis, or any of the other "sports" we've tried.



 
Carver Xmas party

We attended Afternoon Tea at the Mansion, at the Museum of the Southwest.  Mary was not impressed with the art on display, but she did enjoy drinking tea and singing carols with her Girl Scout Troop.




Mary has been super helpful now that there is a new baby in the house; 


If your phone ever looks like this it means someone has taken a picture  of your phone using an old phone and placed the old phone in  your phone case making you think this is your phone.  It will take you several minutes to figure this out as you frantically enter the wrong password.
The perpetrator is likely very proud of his achievement.

My first attempt at homemade chicken and dumplings was a huge hit (thanks Kelly!)

Mary changed a few diapers.

Speaking of which....  I, of course, took a million photos of Finley!!


Daniel, not sure of this new addition to the pack.  She has not once sniffed his butt.  Rude.