And What Happened To It...

The sticker nativity set from church, as assembled (and disassembled, and reassembled) by Asa.

Decapitated cow, Mary under the manger, upside-down sheep, camel on Joseph's head.  At one point the shepherd lay, armess and without his crook, upon Mary.  You can still see some of his crook there, in fact.  But M. decided that that might not be appropriate to this family blog, and took the liberty of altering the piece.  Questioning the artist's expression... sometimes, the Mom outweighs the artist in her, I guess.

Church Bazaar

Every year, our church has a Bazaar, the likes of which I have never before seen.  Nearly every space in the building is used, and it's not a small building.  Silent Auction, White Elephant, Kids' White Elephant, Books, Greenery, Ornaments...

A display of Nativity Sets, including sticker-sets for the little ones:

Photos with Santa!  (Who is, apparently, terrifying to a 15-month-old.  This was the closest he'd get.)

We also got to spend a little bonus time with Auntie Jess, after getting together for Hanukkah the previous evening.  Her hair is as good for stroking as Mummy's apparently, and a lot more convenient.

We also got our tree!  I had had my eye on one particular tree all week, and so we arrived early to nab it.  Apparently, other church members also arrived early to nab that same tree, but we were just a little quicker.  Who knew buying a Christmas tree could be so competitive?  Asa was very interested in the tree-prep process (as seen through our kitchen window and storm window):

The tree is now up and decorated - a process which took place after a little boy's bedtime.  He woke up in the morning to a lit and sparkling tree, and whispered, "Wooooow."

Our first Christmas miracle.

Reading with Grampa

Moo, Baa, La La La, in case you were wondering.

Where there is a theme, there are photos to be taken.

One of the first baby gifts we got - thanks Uncle Jacob! - has gone from just a bath towel to a fun costume.  And as I blogged this, with Asa on my lap, he just kept saying, "Cookie! Oogie!  Googie!"  Whatever the first consonant, or lack thereof, there is a love affair going on at our house.

Guest Photographer

These were taken by M.'s cousin (distant - second cousin once removed, I believe, with some odd generational gaps...) when she and her family stopped by on Thanksgiving.  They were so beautiful, I had to share!  Asa's vest is courtesy of Uncle Chris' trip to India with Anna.

Thanks, Lexi!

Thanksgiving 2010

So many things to be thankful for this year... 

Sleeping boy, even in a makeshift bed...

Brushing teeth (or Oogies) with Poppy.

People to play with - like "Spin on Uncle Chris' lap" and "Tumbling with Mummy".

A love of reading.

Foods that make sore gums feel better, and grandparents who allow entire meals of nothing but ice cream.  (Not to mention Chris and Anna, who bring YUMMY ice cream!)

First glimpses of Christmas lights.

For friends and family and godparents, for snuggles and head-bumps and laughing chases around the dining table.  For all the love that has been sent our way - and it's more than I think even we realize.

For all of you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Fall in New England