After our Christmas Eve Celebration (about 11:30pm), it was time for Santa to get down to business.

It was late, but how difficult can setting up a play kitchen be?

Well. The first photo is Graham, aka Santa, with only 48 more steps to go (according to the directions). I admit, I snoozed during a few of the steps.

Morning coffee to the rescue. As you can see in the last photo, Alaire was kind enough to brew us some in her new kitchen! Sorry Alaire, mommy might need it a little stronger than that!

Thank you also to Gramma & Grampa Vail for the new kitchen!

Another Christmas Eve to cherish with Jessie, Zach & La. This year was even more special with new babies to celebrate!

We walked Peacock Lane, and let the lights dazzle us while sipping hot-chocolate (and a little whiskey, of course). Then, we came home and cooked up an amazing dinner.

Alaire posed for her Christmas Eve – Santa is coming photo. It’s one of my favorites. She also wore her new outfit from the Zinks, but preferred Daddy’s shoes to her own. She is becoming such a little girl…her hair is even long enough for pig-tails!

A few fun photos from Gramma & Grampa’s visit.

We celebrated Thanksgiving 2014 at Grammy & Popa’s house in Salem. The day was even more special because Larisa & Orion joined us–Orion was just over a week old!

Mom & Don’s feast was incredible! I wish we had the customary feast photo (in fact, I can’t believe we didn’t take more pictures).

But, we did capture Larisa opening the “Around the World” quilt made by my mom for Orion. She fell in love with the fabric, but because it was out of production, she had to order pieces from around the country. I think it’s one of my favorite mom quilts so far.

Thank you for making Thanksgiving 2013 a special and very relaxing day Grammy & Popa!

P.S. Of course, whenever there’s a baby in the room, below is where you’ll find Don!

 

We are definitely playing some catch up with blogging.

November was an exciting month for the Vails! We proudly became uncle, aunt and cousin to Orion Caswyn Helms. Larisa is an amazing momma and Orion is the sweetest little guy in the world. Alaire LOVES her cousin and “baby,” one of her first words, now has a whole new meaning!

Alaire must have sensed my plan to get up early and start Christmas Eve cooking because the little rooster woke up at 5am with an obvious plan to resist being lured back to sleep.

So, we poured the milk and the coffee and got to work. You can see my little helper was a busy girl.

Nothing like searching the kitchen floor for the right measuring cup!

We cannot tell a lie. We knew it would happen. Let’s consider it pre-payment for the inevitable teenage torture we’re sure to receive!

The line moved us closer to Santa, Alaire’s turn was next. I stepped forward towards Santa and Alaire clutched me, shaking her little head, “no!” with all of her might.

Santa’s elf and I exchanged looks of concern. We all knew what would happen next.

Like ripping off a band-aid, I plopped my terrified little girl on Santa’s lap. If you’ve spent any time with Alaire, you know her cry ramps like a sportscar. Zero to 60 in seconds. And, she cries LOUD!

If there were any children behind with reservations about sitting on Santa’s lap,  I’m sure hearing Alaire’s screams magnified their stranger danger alert.

Sorry Santa! Maybe next year…