Christmas Eve Eve

Val had to take off on the 24th, so we had Christmas early

Oh Christmas, fun-lovin' family fun!

Gimme back my Zoe Vaaaaaal!!

Seriously Lo, get a grip!

Marlo is clearly smitten with Big Bird, Zoe, and momma.

Big kiss for Bal from Abby

I love forts!

Look who came by. 

Robin and her little birdie.

Whiskey buck!

for our favorite beverage.

Hello? Yaya? Bee? Where are you?

Yaya, Bee, Val is terrific!

this is my Abby, and I love her!

for the do-it-yourself-er

shellac!

I love you Bal! 

This is a pretty grrrrreat start!

Prepping for the big day

 We had lots to wrap, stash and keep out of their little hands.

 When the presents showed up, the ornaments were no longer the big draw.

I like this one

Momma, can I open this one?

Here we are practicing gift-giving.

  

And here we are sneaking to take one away.

  

Caught red-handed.

Val got an early Christmas present from the blemish fairy, but it did not stop her from looking GREAT!

 Don't worry Eme, this Santa is not real.

Yeah! Christmas is almost here!

 Truman! Those are for Rudolph!

 What's the big deal? Aren't we Jewish anyway?  Rudolph? Sheesh! 

Can't a big lug eat a carrot without being bothered?

Merry Merry with Rob and Terry

So, the boys came over for a little pre-Christmas visit and snuggle with the girls.  They were so busy lovin' the gals and showering them with gifts that we forgot to take any pics.  Sorry guys, I guess you'll have to come back. The little ladies always enjoy the time they spend with the guncles (thanks to TS for that little nickname), and so do the mamas.

After the girls went to bed, we had us some grown-up fun. Dinner, drinks, stimulating conversation that did not involve topics like Elmo, Grover, or rhyming and games.  Thanks for going bananas with us, and the bananagrams are on their way!

love.you.two!

Beef Bourgignon 

That's super-fancy pot roast.

 Uncle R is never willing to give us a shot.

EVER! The girls are never going to remember you if you keep hiding!  

Uncle T is always picture-ready. 

Game face on

the game... 

bananagrams

Mmmmmm dessert

Great night, boys! Let's not wait too long to do it again! 

XOXO

Tradition

Let me see, we tell our kids to:

 not talk to strangers, especially if they are creepy, old, and wearing a costume,

not to take candy from strangers,

not to tell strangers any personal information, like where you live, 

not to sit on strange men's laps... 

Yet, when it comes to Santa, all that goes out the window.

In fact, we expect them to smile pretty and love this crazy lookin'

 fat man.

Last year- Eme started looking worried

And ended up blowing a gasket.  Please note, our niece Nora insisted that she sit on a stool rather than on the big man's lap. Marlo was cool as a cucumber, but if my memory serves me correctly, I think she had a fever that night.

One year later...

No better. 

But as every mom says, better luck next year.

This is my all-time favorite picture of me and the big guy.

Tell me he does not look like an axe murderer. You can tell I'm scared as I am leaning away from him, hands folded on lap, with a very worried grin. 

 Anyone who knows me in the least, knows that this is not typical me. 
I'm so scared my hair is standing on end trying to get away. 

YIPES!