Christmas Rooted In Myths And Fruit

the scene on Christmas morning

Lookie here, a sparkly one (still not sure how this happens)

Yuula dug right in to some stockings

things were weird early on

but Judee got a nice little surprise

licorice was a bigger hit than expected, considering we always have a bag or two lying around the house

Yuula actually got excited about clothes for once

and her new camera will be a relief for everyone

yeah, more strange fruits

I think Laura was surprised by her bedside crib and more so by my initiative

the ribbon dancer wins biggest bang for least buck

she asked for mermaids, we doubled down

and tho the unicorn was smaller in scale than the one she asked, it hasn't left her side since Christmas morning

and this guy, who she immediately named Clover, will enjoy this winter indoors and this winter alone

showing Grandpa a thing or two about modern technology

Laura was weary and claimed the couch for the better part of the afternoon

cookies made themselves available

who doesn't love a good vat of pasta

cousins closing out the gifting ceremonies

plaid was a requirement

once the center piece of their packages, bows were tossed aside and summarily squished

she could live up there

drinking and cards of course

Yuula took her mother's place at the table

and so goes another Christmas, getting better by the year

Danielle Is Artillery, Vic Supplies Munitions

Danielle and Vic arrived late Christmas night. There should be a sign on our door that reads "Welcome to Our Home. Wanna Swing Our Baby?"

Yuula can be pretty relentless. If you come over, make sure you've stretched beforehand.

What's that sir, you haven't had a chance yet. Here you go!

Checking to make sure she hasn't done any permanent damage to her uncle

The next morning we got out in the snow

There wasn't much snow on the ground, but enough to get a good slide going

It started to snow so we took a walk around the neighborhood to take in the view and wear Yuula out

It didn't work

A mighty snow battle ensued

 Yes, we pegged Yuula with snowballs... in the face!

A possible peace treaty?

Never!

After we thawed out it was time to cook dinner

A massive bowl of pasta, as is customary when the Forchette's visit

Yuula prepared her own meal dressed as a 50's houeswife

And then Dani swung her to sleep.

Beats Just Beets

We have a beet surplus, damn CSA. So what to do. We made a handful of beet chips. Pretty tasty. Then Laura found this recipe for beet pasta. Turns out it turns the whole meal red, along with your hands, lips and probably your brain too. We may wake up looking a nice shade of beet.

It was tasty tho, beets, red onion, goat cheese, walnut, balsamic over pasta,... who knew?

she's a slurper

They Came From The South

They made it! Safe and sound and in record time. The girls started playing together pretty much immediately and within 90 seconds had destroyed the living room. That'll teach us to clean for company. After a hearty dinner (traveling gives one a hankering) the girls, as there were and will be expected to do, broke out into a fairly serious dance party. Many styles were demonstrated, from hip hop to ballet to jazz and then something resembling a cross between capoeira and dizzy bat. I was thrilled to see Yuula learn some new moves and just happy to get the night off from performing myself. I'm gonna enjoy the next couple days.

Madison also schooled everyone on Mario Kart. Yuula was amazed at her skill.

Today we're going to try and get in some egg hunt and local browsing. That's if the rain holds off.

Sally Two Forks

This is a long one, but I couldn't find any more to cut out. Dinner at the table, never dull.

And yes I am aware that our baby is patronizing us.

Daddy's Cooking Dinner

And there will be leftovers!