And the children were nestled all snug in their car seats

I hope you all had a very merry Christmas; I know we did. We were, fortunately, able to spend time this Christmas with all three sets of Grandparents and Elizabeth loved it all. 

On the way to DC, we stopped in Pennsylvania at Longwood Gardens to check out the tree houses, 

peer in the pond, 

walk through the grasses, 

explore the children's garden, 

and check out the lights.

We spent the days leading up to Christmas hanging out at Jay and Linda's house where Opa and Elizabeth made a gingerbread house

and Billy posed for his eleven-month pictures with the tree

and with Grandma (photos courtesy of Elizabeth).

On Christmas Eve, we traveled to Kathryn and Antonio's house where Elizabeth and Grandpa set up the manger, 

Elizabeth donned a dress-up outfit given to her by Uncle Edward and Stephanie (she has worn this outfit every day since),

and Elizabeth posed with Aunt Breanna (Jay and Linda were also in attendance).

Back at Jay and Linda's house, we read the note from Santa on Christmas morning, 

checked to see what Santa left in his sack, 

exchanged gifts with one another, 

 and tried on press on nails gifted to Elizabeth from Daddy (it looks so gross).

 By the 26th , we were at Barbara and Bill's where we snuggled,

exchanged more gifts, 

caught and thwarted a fruit bandit (see here),

admired the tree, 

 donned coordinated overalls (this was the best pic we got, but they are so cute),

and found a wonderful present under the tree.

Happy New Year to you all! 

Henry is 11 months!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It is late, so this will be quick. I wanted to get up our most recent pictures before the Christmas-craziness begins. 

We have been enjoying the season by decorating a Christmas house, 

attending a Christmas show, 

and traveling to Manhattan by train. 

In Manhattan we explored Madison Square Park,

 watched a building evacuation,

 checked out the windows at Macy's

 and Lord & Taylor,

 watched a video at the New York Public Library,

 observed the ice skaters,

 ice skated,

 rode a carousel,

 posed with Minnie and Mickey (according to E, this was the best part of the day),

 and visited the tree at Rockefeller Center.

 Closer to home, we looked at the crazy light displays in Dyker Heights where we posed with Santa,

 checked every manger for baby Jesus,

 met Rudolph,

and dozed off.

Back at home, this cute little guy

finger painted for the first time

 and Elizabeth snapped photos of me cleaning Henry's mess, 

Justin arriving home from work, 

and herself.