Christmas Card List

You were all on my Christmas card list. But there was a flaw in the plan. Here it is! I finally got around to doing our Christmas card - 3 days before the holiday. There are just so many things that go into having the holiday at your house instead of showing up to your parents' house with a side dish contribution. Something had to go and this year it was the card. Needless to say, it's not going to make it into any mailboxes. Consider this our holiday cheer and we are spreading it to you! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from us to you!

And yes, this is our new family photo I've been talking about. I love it!

Visits with Santa

We have sung Christmas songs, talked about him and even compared him to the grandfather figures we know all in preparation for this picture. And it worked!Truth be told, I find the screaming/crying pictures with Santa adorable and well worth whatever trauma inflicted on the child. They are very real descriptions of the moment. Check out our last year here. But I was curious if we would have one again this year. Audrey adores the idea of Santa and all the wonder and magic that accompanies him. And this is the year that the "You better be nice, or else..." threat has begun working. She's been drinking in the legend! But usually she's fairly shy of strangers that I actually want her to meet. But we went anyway. And to my surprise she liked him, actually she thought he was fantastic! After the photos, she just about talked his ear off. And she's been happy to sit on the lap of any subsequent Santa we encounter (ie. ward party, friend's party). She is officially a Santa lover! It might have something to do with the two presents she has been asking for him to bring her consistently for almost 2 months. But we have a few more days to wait and she if he brought her "the cleaning thing" and "a cash register".

Tortoise Sitting

There are just some phrases you think you will never say in your life time because how could that situation ever come up? I don't think I will ever think that again.

We have been taking care of our friends' tortoise, Fezzick, while they are visiting family for the holidays. And let me tell you there are some real pluses. He does take walks, but no leash to get tangled up in. He'll eat the vegetables in your fridge that are getting sketchy. And you get to invent games like "Mr. Tortoise Head", using Mr. Potato's accessories. He's been kind of a fun, no hassle pet to have walking around. Audrey has had a great time! He's much more interactive than the fish, though not enough to be any trouble. She follows him around and loves to keep an eye on him as he explores or naps in odd corners. The picture above isn't accurate in how much she likes having him around. I just thought the copycat posing was hilarious! So, Erin, don't worry, he's no trouble at all. It might be hard to get him back in January.