Christmas in Photos // 2014

xx, 

Cassie

Dancing Queen

Dear Isabel, 

Tonight after you finished your dinner, you hopped down from your highchair, ran into the living room and pointed to the outlet where the Christmas tree lights are plugged, saying "Tee! Tee!" (translations: 'tree')

When I turned on the tree lights, you laughed and squealed and stomped your foot. THEN you ran over to the landing of the stairs, where part of Daddy's guitar was sticking out.. You pointed to the guitar case saying "Dada! Dada!"  So (being unable to refuse his biggest fan) Dada walked over and got the guitar out, while you jumped/squealed/laughed some more, with - we realized - a guitar pick in your hand (where on earth did you find it??) and then you ran back into the living room, looking back at him to make sure he was following you.  You hopped onto the couch to sit next to him, then hopped back down and started a record to accompany him (Perry Como's Christmas btw -- this record accompaniment is your new thing).  Dada played Jingle Bells on the guitar (fast and fun), while we sang, and you twirled in circles, laughing, falling, wobbling, and loving every minute (but not more than we loved it).  I tried to take a little video on my phone, but had no memory left on it (naturally), so this little blog post will just have to do.  (btw -- your 'twirls' involve you standing in one place, with your head down, eyes up at us, grinning and turning in a circle until you're too dizzy to stand-- so silly and makes us laugh so much). 

I'd really like to imprint this little scene in my memory for..... oh I don't know... forever maybe? Can we do that?  

Ok good. 

Imprint -- done. 

Let's add these to the list of: traits and habits I hope you never ever lose -- your love of fun, music, dancing, silliness, joy and.... your insistence on getting those around you engaged and smiling.  Is that called charisma?  It's more than that :) But you get the drift I think.  

Muah!

xx

M

another photo from our visit to 34th street. that is not you (Izzy) on a dada's shoulders in the foreground fyi

Christmastime in the city // 34th Street Hampden

Izzy's First Noel /// A Highlight Reel

Well, I've stayed up wayyy past my bedtime editing these pictures.  {Thanks to a bag of Hershey kisses and Bravo's nasty Vanderpump Rules }.  This was a special year for us, it being Isabelie's first Christmas.  We were so lucky to be able to spend that time with our families, and it flew by much too fast for my liking.

Some of our favorite things: dressing Izzy up like a sweet Christmas doll; super-thoughtful gifts from family {ahem: Will & Cait!!!}, wearing perma-pjs for the day, my mom's lamb on the grill, Will's mom's turkey.... watching others open their gifts, all of that wonderful Christmas music.. the traditional hymns.. the Frasier Fir smell... the lights...

That Christmasey feeling is the best, and going back to work a couple of days after all of that festivity felt very very wrong... There's something about the end of vacations, especially in the winter... it can feel quite depressing and melancholy.  

I start to get that old boarding-school-sad-ache, and it's mighty hard to shake it.  The trees are bare, the sun is low, the sky is grey.. Throw in some freezing temps & lots of darkness?? Pretty gross. 

Which is why I'd like to leave the Christmas tree up til, oh I don't know.... March?  

Can we agree on March? {Will??}
Hot yoga is also a good solution.
Hot yoga & hot chocolate. A little winter band-aid. 

That ornament is already broken... :(

Izzy with my dad & mom

Will's sissie, Cait.

Izzy with Will's dad

the 2 Wills :) bro & hub

Will's sister made that hat!!!  We're all obsessed with it. :)

Merry Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!!

XO

 Cassie

O Tannenbaum!

This weekend, we got our Christmas tree!  Fraser Fir, please and thank you.

The weather tried to stop us, but we're much too obstinate to let a few inches of snow keep us from our tree.  

Also, we needed to give Will the chance to be the big strong hero in his new Jeep ;)

 

XO, 

Cassie