Coltan made our first batch of Christmas cookies with me.  He stirred and rolled the dough balls in the sugar.  It was a mess which I expected but what I didn’t expect was that he could do so much…not just “stir.”  It was fun!  And here he is waiting for his masterpieces to bake…

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his is our tree this year.  I love it all twinkly and shiny.  I just put out the candles by the nativity behind our little evergreen tonight.  This is our first live tree.  And I love it so much BUT I am allergic.  It was pretty bad the first day…I mean, itchy arms, wheezing, sneezy, itchy eyes, in need of medication bad.  But since I am not sticking my arms and face in it every day, it’s been tolerable since then. But sheesh.  All I wanted was a little pine scent in the house

This year, I took a slight foray from the decorations I’ve used every year. Slight.  I just moved them around differently I gues, but I also have been getting crafty and trying some new things like spraypainting branches and making cranberry garland – both of which worked out great!

Next up, a visit with the the man in red!

play in a friend’s laundry room.

Just a few more of my favorite captured moments…

In Brett’s apartment where we stayed…

Checking out daddy’s beard on the subway…

sharing the love at Rockefeller Plaza…

A big travel savior for us this trip was my ring sling. I hadn’t used it in a while but knew we wouldn’t want the stroller everywhere.  Sam and I both used it!  It basically saved our arms from holding him all the time and saved the hassle the stroller causes with stair and crowds.  Coltan loved it and I loved how he snuggled up to me!  I even had a dad offer me $50 for it at Rockefeller plaza!  He was over the stroller struggle, too.

Stylin’ Sam at Chelsea Market…one of my favorite places we ate at.

I had a family friend who made this sling for me.  If you want one, let me know and I’ll pass on her information.  I found a similar one online at Mayawraps.

We’re tired.  We’re unpacking. We’re dancing in the kitchen to Christmas music and happy to be home. But we’re already reminiscing…

The parade

Looking at Ground Zero

Museum of Natural History

Hotdogs in Central Park

Sam’s bday in Times Square

FAO

FAO puppy paradise

and the “I get to bring them home!?!?!” face

more to come after a good night’s sleep or 3.