It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...Something

Well Thanksgiving has come and gone, and now we're off and running in December.  Gregg and I have, over the course of 11 childless Christmas seasons, developed our own little traditions.  As Sabrina's second Christmas approaches, we're revamping to include her.  Last year she was barely 8 months old and did what 8 month old's do at Christmas...not really much of anything.
"What's Santa bringing you?".  Blank stare.
"Look at the stocking I made you!".  Blank stare in a different direction.
"Mmm, delicious home made cookies.  Not that you can have any of course."  Burp, in a blank sort of way.
The most active participation involved gumming down some snowman print wrapping paper.

This year she already "Ho ho ho's" every time she sees a Santa, exclaims "Ooooh, liiiiiights" if even one bulb is lit somewhere, and I can tell she can't wait to have tree to climb in the living room.  So this weekend, down come the decorations from the attic.  We've sort of established, based on last year, that getting a tree is a Papa-daughter event. It works for everyone; they come back with a nice tree and I don't have to follow them around making subliminal suggestions that the one they are picking is too expensive.  (Oh look at this one, it's beautiful and doesn't have the little bald area the more expensive one you're looking at does.)  And besides, no one ever races me to the car to bring the dry craggy tree to the recycle center after New Year's.  So let them deal with getting it.

*Note:  My sister and I got a permit to go up north one year and cut one down.  I agonized over whether birds lived in it and could barely bring myself to make the first cut.  I don't think my sister would do that again.  We looked at every tree in Prescott during a snow storm until I found one untouched by bird or beast.  I think.

We're going to be watching The Grinch, Santa, and Rudolph again this year.  Last year was a (you guessed it) blank stare down, but this year I think she'll get a kick out of it.  We've been listening to Christmas music as well, and learning the old favs like Santa Claus is Coming to Town and my favorite, I Saw Daddy Kissing Santa Claus.  Well, Mommy doesn't really work for us and I still think Santa's a muscle bear who just hides it all under that ermine outfit of his.  And really, what straight guy wears ermine?  Elves indeed...

Here are some pics of our Thanksgiving weekend when Grandmama came to visit from Texas.  More about the holiday plans later!

With Grandpa and Grandmama at the Railroad Park

It's a pillow...it's a pet...it's a pillow pet!

The Girls

Thankful for cousins!

Ahh, downtime.