Christmas Magic

It is a testament to how busy we have been as a family that our Christmas update is being posted in February. This year, Christmas was a magical event because we were surrounded by family.

This year, we went all out to make Christmas a big 'wow' experience, complete with a train track running around a tree and a big pink Jeep for Lily. That was the gift she requested and we were happy to oblige. We can already picture the car races that are sure to happen this summer. Shhhhh, don't tell Lily but her pink Jeep has a speed limiter on it that is engaged at the moment. If that speed limiter is taken off? Watch out world! Shout-out to Grandpa Faiola who stayed up for **hours** putting together the train and helping to put the finishing touches on the magic morning plan.

Grandpa

Lily was quite a daredevil on the sled and really got into it, even laying down to go faster. She is such a little imp. The other day, she was trying to manipulate her way into sleeping in our bed (she got to do that once while Dad was away and basically has been trying every night since then). So, she climbed into bed and hid under the blankets. She built a fort out of pillows around herself. It was obvious there was a child in the bed.

So Chris comes in, preparing for bed, and I say to him, "It's just me in here all ready for bed. It's just me in here." And without even pause for him to reply, out comes a muffled little, "Yeah, it's just Mommy in here!" from the blankets as though that was the height of subterfuge.

Uncle Erik and Aunt Cheriss got the kids a super thoughtful gift: thermal long underwear and undershirts coupled with a sled. That way the kids could stay warm while sledding cool. With the snow, we enjoyed learning the new art of sledding. Snow is pretty rare in Bellingham! And Uncle Erik and Aunt Cheriss picked the best sled ever (!). It got some seriously good speed.

Jamisen asked for a large fire truck from Santa so he got a well built German fire truck. It did not work very well and then was promptly broken by Lily within a day. I'm not sure what the moral of that story was (buy cheap goods so it doesn't matter if it's broken or don't share toys with your little sister?).

New family portrait at Lake Samish; kids were cold but the photos turned out well.