Visit to Santa Claus!

Parade of Lights

Last weekend we armed ourselves with bellies full of pizza and mugs full of hot chocolate to brave the 30 degree weather at the annual Parade of Lights. After living here for so long and laughing at the people huddled on the streets, all lined up to see marching bands covered with Christmas lights, floats made entirely of Christmas lights and a huge Kermit the Frog balloon, we finally saw the light so to speak and we think it will become an regular tradition. Annie absolutely loved the parade from her perch on Daddy's shoulders and I think the bands were her favorite.

Christmas Cookies

Annie and I made some Christmas cookies earlier this week, she really loved doing this, I think even more than she loves making pancakes. She declared herself to be the official quality control officer - each cookie had the smallest bite taken out of it after it was frosted to ensure only the tastiest cookies made it to the finishline.

The Tepen Twins

I visited my friends Chris and Diane and their newest additions, Mia and Wesley today. Here are some photos...Mia first, then the proud parents with Mia, and Wesley, who wanted some time to himself.

The Search for the Perfect Christmas Tree

Last weekend we headed up to Buffalo Creek on our annual quest to find a the perfect Christmas Tree. After miles and miles of searching, we got cold and hungry and decided that this one was the one for us. Here are some photos we took along the way and another of our tree all set up, ready for Santa. It's not such a bad tree, Charlie Brown...after all the addition of the choo-choo underneath is all that Annie is really interested in.