Snow!

Autumn had to go back to work today, and had an unfortunate surprise....SNOW!

 Snowy pine

It's really coming down!

It's Christmas!

We got up bright and early this morning to celebrate our first Christmas with Kylie! After coffee and apple cinnamon rolls, we opened presents and spent the day playing with our new toys. Autumn de-shelled three more crabs, and I whipped up crab cakes and curried crab soup for Xmas dinner with Los Borderiguez. 

We finished the night with another disaster movie, Volcano, following in the end of the world theme from watching 2012 together on 12-21-2012 last week.

 Meowy Christmas!

 Merry Christmas!

 The newest addition to our family!

 Kylie and her tiny glitter stocking.

 Kylie opening a present from grandma!

 Too much fun!

 Time for an impromptu nap

 Ready to ride!

Hello new friend!

Christmas Eve!

We spent this Christmas Eve cooking and relaxing at home. Virgile and Sterling came down for dinner and a good time was had by all. Kylie was even on her best behavior. Maybe our constant reminders that Santa was watching and judging her paid off!

 Mmmm...smoked salmon!

 Peppermint Meringue Cake w/ Fresh Mint and Raspberries!

 Our "beautiful" holiday table!

 The real star of the night! Dungeness Crab!

Look at that beautiful cake footage!

Thank you Santa!

(and grandparents!)

Christmas Lights

Tonight we bundled up and headed down to see the National Christmas Tree. When we go there, it was so crowded that we decided to skip the Zoo Lights at the National Zoo and just go out to dinner instead. With our sleepy baby in the pouch, we started our three day seafood extravaganza at McCormick and Schmick's. I think we made the right choice!

 Our big box of crabs came on Saturday!

 All bundled up!

 Kylie says "See something, say something!"

 The National Christmas Tree, Washington Monument, and one of the 50 trees representing each state!

The White House....so, uh, festive?

The Adorbs Days of Christmas!

Well, it is our favorite time of year, Christmas!  This year it is even more cute than usual with the addition of Miss Kylie to our family.  Here are some highlights from the week...

Baby moccasins, made by hand.  SO CUTE! 

Here is Eric's fab holiday table for dinner with friends.  We're fancy.

Queijo!

Here we are getting ready to go for a walk.  Reindeer baby!

Kylie and her dad enjoying a lazy Saturday morning.

I hope everyone is having a great holiday season!!

32 Days - 32 Outfits

Autumn and I have challenged the baby to wear a different outfit every day since we

 arrived in DC! Here are the adorable results in no particular order!

 #1-16

 #17-32

Xmas Crafts

As a Trophy Husband, I periodically plan family-friendly fun activities for Autumn and I to do after the baby goes to sleep....this week's activity:

CRYSTAL GLITTER GEM TREES!

 

Materials:

1 box small gems

1 box large gems

1 bottle of Aleen's tacky glue (required for any tacky Xmas decoration!)

1 sheet black poster board

So many crystals!

Oooh!

Voila! Crystal glitter gem trees!

(I also threw in a sweater tree for good measure.)

Shhh...It's Curry

Margaret finally gave us her top secret curry recipe! It is one of the weirdest, most delicious things I have ever eaten! The secret ingredient is the crazy topping bar that includes hard boiled eggs, bacon, coconut, sweet pickle relish, bananas, onions and raisins!

Looks gross, but it's really good!

Visit to Santa

Today, Kylie and I visited the North Pole! Super-dad here purchased my photo package online the day beforehand. Also, we arrived at the mall at 11:00, so there was no line!  We made it from the mall parking lot to having the photos in hand in under 15 minutes!!

WARNING:  THIS BLOG POST CONTAINS EXTREME CUTENESS. 

VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

*SMILE* Oh look, dad has my squeaky giraffe! *SMILE*

Say Rudolph!

WHO ARE YOU!!?!?

Goodbyes...

Last night we said goodbye to Johnathan and Krissy. See you next year for Autumn's birthday in DUBLIN!!

The old gang back together again.

We'll miss you!

Christmas Decorating

Since it is now AFTER Thanksgiving, it is officially OK to start decorating for Christmas and hearing holiday music. Here's the start of our winter wonderland...

 Snowflake coasters

 Glitter stockings!

 Tiny white tree from the grocery store in Mexico!

 Thanks Carri for the super-cute ornaments!

 Adorbs!

 We knew it was a good idea to pick a name that come pre-printed on stuff!

 Holiday table-scape!

 Decorative vases filled with potporri...check!

Cookies for Santa..check!

Snowflake placemats...check!

Frosty pine cones....check!

 Whew! I'm exhausted!

Thanksgiving

This year, we had a small Thanksgiving dinner (part II) with Virgile, Sterling, Katie and...surprise...my dad! We made the turkey, stuffing and gravy, and pumpkin pie martinis. V&S made wasabi mashed potatoes, a spiral ham and a pumpkin pie. And, Katie made the cranberry sauce, cornbread and Dutch apple pie. Everything was amazing! Kylie's first Thanksgiving was a smashing success. We even got to use Autumn's grandma's china for the first of many dinner parties to come!

It's Thanksgiving!

I'm thankful for my Aunt Tiffany, who gave me the under the sea play mat.

It keeps me happy and quiet!

 The perfect Thanksgiving table!

 I think our table-scaping and signature cocktail would make Sandra Lee proud!

 Grandma Hanson's china!! Yay!

Look who got all dressed up for the occasion

 Grandpa Mark and Miss K

Thanks for the great visit!

 The star of the show! Delicious and moist!

Ugh! I ate too much! ;)

Of course, I didn't snap any photos during the actual dinner...
...maybe next year!