It's A Wrap

The nerve of those people who never update their blogs... rude. Anyhoo, here we are on the cusp of another new year and things are looking and feeling pretty rosy and cozy in spite of the post-holiday letdown. Honestly, I don't actually feel too let down this year; we had a great vacation and now Molly and Jack have been happy to get home, sleep in their own beds, and play with all the fun stuff that Santa left in his wake (apparently, according to Molly, ol' mom and dad and everyone else didn't bring her anything -- Santa brought it all. Well Santa, I'm happy for you to come and take over the meal planning and diaper changing if you're going to get all the glory).

I'm stealing most of these holiday pics from Eric and Mary since dumb bunnies mom and dad forgot a real camera and we are, once again, at the mercy of other people and our cell phones. 

We did start off our holiday festivities immediately upon our return from our east coast Thanksgiving trip. We giddyupped and got our tree up and house decorated right away so were able to enjoy the lights and smells until we left for the winter wonderland of Whistler. And what a winter wonderland it was... piles and piles of the white fluffy stuff and more if it coming down every day (and a heated driveway and not a shovel in sight... there are some childhood memories that I'm not all that interested in reliving on a regular basis. I don't mind shoveling but I do dislike dirty piles of snow and the crusty mess that the snow plow deposits at the ends of driveways). It was a great way to really get into the holiday spirit. We departed south to the States on Thursday and enjoyed the remainder of our long weekend at Eric and Mary's (once again, thanks so much for hosting us). We came back north early this week and are settling into life for whatever time we have left north of the border. We miss all the hustle and bustle of the family; it was really nice to spend some relaxed time with most of the Doyle side of the family. We came home feeling loved as usual. 

Whistler was great and a playground of winter fun and Christmas itself was super fun. Molly got about 85% of the whole deal and I think she'll really get it next year. It was nice to still be in the pre-frenzied pace of gift opening (and a sane hour of awakening), although I still missed close to half of what was sent by whom. I like the madness and the frenzy too, though, so I'm ready to bring it on even more in the years to come. Jack hunkered down with his toys, especially those with wheels, immediately and was his usual roly polly jolly little self (most of the time. His final molar popped through while we were gone so we had a night or two of bleary clock watching). He really is a happy little elf who now knows how to roar on command (thank you to everyone who contributed to that). He gave me one of my best presents -- an unassisted walk across the family room... and then he pretty much refused to do much walking the rest of the trip. It KILLS me because I know he can walk, he just doesn't choose to. He has been doing more the last couple of days, though, so maybe we're on the road to bipedalism. Before anyone tells me to slow down and not wish away his littleness, I'd like to point out that the chunker is HEAVY. Carrying around 26+ lbs all the time is giving me arms of steel. In any event, he's 26 lbs of delightfulness at least. 

We happy, we're healthy (and sending all our good vibes out to Auntie Karin who isn't doing so hot), we're together, Molly's been alternating between bathing suits and pajamas all day so really, life is good for us right now. We hope you final day of 2010 is cheerful and wonderful and that you're ready to for whatever adventures 2011 brings. 

Getting ready for Christmas at home:

Cutting down the tree is hard work... luckily, hot chocolate has restorative properties. 

Thanks Dad!

What? I'm totally helpful with the decorating.

Okay, maybe she's actually more helpful.

The boys have an eye for putting the ornaments just so...

with Jack working hard to decorate the top of the tree... this is where 99% of the ornaments ended up by the time we left. 

From home, we hopped over to Whistler for the week before the big day:

Mmmmhhhh... good skiing. 

We lucked out and were the last ones up on the Blackcomb glacier for the day.

Jack is getting ready to be a bobsledder in 2040. He may have slept through his first glimpse of the track, but he's ready. 

The ladies at the piano.

Cousin Christmas Finery

Wildcat hair aside, Molly loves her cute cousins.

And no, Jack Jack, we didn't forget about you.

Refueling with an unbeatable vista behind the little Buddha.

And they're back at it...

Gang's all here.

And finally, the big day itself:

John told her Molly that there would be presents under the tree in the morning and she felt the need to check and make sure there weren't any hiding.

The chaos... not sure Santa meant for Jack to be in the wagon.

Hmmm... what are these interesting lovelies?

Auntie Holly: the closet Christmas baker

the ladies in their Christmas fancy pants showing off for Grandpa

The sweet sounds of quiet concentration