Merry Christmas!

I have never seen so many presents in my life (granted, I'm only 8 months old, but still).  On Christmas Eve, Mommy and Daddy took me to Nona and Grandpa's house.  Aunt Jenny, Uncle Rob, and cousins Ethan and Luke joined us in the family celebration.  We opened so many presents!  Again, my favorite was always the wrapping paper.  Later, more family joined us for dinner and more presents!  Not only did we get to celebrate with Aunt Pat, Uncle Bobby, and Cousins Andy and Lee, but Grandpa's cousins from Chicago were visiting, so they joined us as well.  It was definitely a house-full!

On Christmas morning, Mommy, Daddy and I took a walk downtown.  It was such a nice day outside, and with all the businesses closed for the holiday, downtown felt like a ghost-town.  So different than normal...it was really quite neat!  We ended up finding a Chinese dim-sum place that was open and had lunch there.  Later, we went to my Aunt Debi and Uncle Jim's house, and Nona and Grandpa joined for a yummy Christmas dinner. 

I'm learning that December is a GREAT month because it's about two things: (1) Family, and (2) Presents!  What could be better!  :)

I'm ready for presents!

Aunt Jenny with Cousin Luke

Presents galore!

My best friend (and cousin)

Ethan and me goofing around like always (with Luke watching on)

The whole fam on Christmas Eve

Christmas morning at home -- look at all my toys!

Christmas Dinner with Nona and Grandpa

The view at Aunt Debi and Uncle Jim's!

Christmas dinner -- Mommy got me ready for bed, but do I look tired?

Santa Claus

Mommy told me all about the story of Santa Claus.  (What a cool guys he sounds like!!).  Apparently, he has the same favorite store as Mommy, because he was at the downtown Nordstrom's for most of this month.  So Mommy took me with Aunt Jenny, Ethan and Luke to see him.  Ethan and Luke did really well, and really seemed to like him.  Well, Luke likes everybody.  Me on the otherhand, I wasn't sure what to think of this Santa guy.  In concept I should like him (I mean, if he's going to bring me presents every year, I gotta warm up to the guy).  But he has this big white beard, and I just wasn't sure what to make of him.  But I didn't cry, so that made Mommy really happy.  

Here's the pictures from our visit, along with a few others from this month:

My first experience with a Christmas Tree

Reading with Daddy

Mommy couldn't help herself.

My self portrait

At Aunt Michelle's holiday party: Cole, Luke, me, Benjamin, Owen, Ethan, and Joshua.  We had so much fun!

Hanukkah

This month has been one of fun holiday celebrations.  I can definitely see that December is easily going to be my favorite month from now on!  Because my Daddy is Jewish, and my Mommy is Catholic, we get to celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas at home.  All the more fun for me!  For the first weekend of Hanukkah, Mommy and Daddy hosted dinner for our friends Kara, Brian, and Asher.  Mommy made a roast along with yummy latkes (otherwise known as potato pancakes) -- or so she told me they were yummy.  I see no reason why I won't be a big fan of those in years to come.

Last weekend, we celebrated Hanukkah at the Crystal Cabin with Grandma, Papa, Uncle Zach and Aunt Danielle (yippee!  She's officially my aunt now that they are engaged to be married!).  That turned out to be a great weekend, with Grandma making a crab & latkes dinner, and lots and lots of gifts (though I think my favorite part was definitely the paper and ribbons)!   

Hanukkah dinner with Kara and Asher

Asher and me goofing around

Ooooh....presents!

Our loot

A gift from Papa

Aunt Danielle and her dog Duke (I was afraid of him at first, but then we made friends)

Thanksgiving

For my first Thanksgiving, we spent the holiday at Nona and Grandpa's new house in Normandy Park.  Mommy tells me that this used to be my great-grandpa's house, and it's the same house that my Grandpa grew up in since he was a little boy.  When my great-grandpa passed away (sadly I never got to meet him), Nona and Grandpa bought the property and built their new house on it.  I can tell this will be a fun house for all of us grandchildren to play at!  

After Thanksgiving, Mommy, Daddy, and me joined our friends Rhonna and Sean at the Crystal Cabin for the long weekend.  That was the first time I really got to see lots of snow!  Though I wasn't a big fan -- it was pretty to look at but every time Mommy gave me some snow to touch, I started crying.  It was just so cold!  She tells me next year I'm going to really like snow and she'll help me make snowmen and snow angels.  Hope you all had a fun Thanksgiving, too!

The view!

My great-aunt Pat, Cousin Lee, and Nona

We are all ready to eat!

Me with Grandpa!

My Nona!

The family picture minus me (Ethan & Luke had to leave and couldn't wait for me to wake up from my nap!)

Mommy and me on our hike with Daddy

7 Months Old

Mommy scheduled my 6-month photo shoot (I was actually 7 months old) for the morning after we returned from Hawaii.  She calls it her "amateur Mom" mistake.  I was a mess!  But she says it wasn't my fault, because I was still jet-lagged from our return home. 

However, we were all happily surprised to get the pictures back and find out how great they turned out!  Our photographer, Lynette Johnson, is clearly very talented.  We are booking her again for my 1-year photo shoot (when I'll probably be 14 months old).  :)  Here's some of our favorites: