merry christmas!

we had a wonderful christmas. we were lucky enough to spend the holiday with our families. everyone was home at the scott house in plymouth, and all the staples were together in chicago. our time in plymouth was wild with toddler filled joy (and other toddler related events, such as nap resistance and frequent toy-territory squabbles) and cheery with good food, generous gifts, and loving company.

a small snow fall made for a beautiful christmas eve day with lots of sledding (for everyone) and snow-eating (for ramona).

james took a little bath in the same green salad bowl that i was bathed in as a child. who keeps a tupperware brand pistachio-green salad bowl that long? impressive work, mom.

all dressed and ready for christmas eve church.

ramona gives a little tutorial in the use of hand-held candles for the candlelit singing of hymns just prior to the christmas eve service. little did we know that in a few short minutes after this picture was taken, ramona would have a show-stopping face-slamming fall in the front of the church during the children's message. poor kid.

christmas morning brought lots and lots of gifts from santa, which was sort of overwhelming to our little christmas present newbie, and ramona responded by opening one gift, playing with that gift, and refusing to open or look at anything else. that which is exciting can also be painfully overwhelming to a 23 month old kid. ramona ultimately found comfort in exploring a light in the window with her cousin byron.

james spent the gift session totally oblivious and underwhelmed, just hanging out in his bouncy seat.

our time in chicago was equally nice but little more relaxing, complete with good food, great gifts, and a wonderful birthday celebration for libby.

staple cousin time included snuggling on the sofa,

and art projects in the kitchen.

of course, the time with family is too short, but the time away from home feels too long. coming home to stockings filled by santa and quiet time together was as much a gift as all the family time was.

it was a wonderful holiday!