Merry Christmas!

Solstice may be over, but now it's Christmas! We pretty much opened presents all week. ;-)

Gabriel looking for his name on presents under Tia's tree on Christmas Eve (a side benefit to learning to read your own name).

Bailey feeling festive Christmas Eve after one too many sparkling ciders.

Gabriel to Suzu: "I like your haircut." (After we cut his hair, he began complementing others on their hair, even if they had not actually gotten their hair cut.)

Classic retro toys were all the rage this year! We have been having fun playing Chutes and Ladders this weekend.

The Slinky! Another retro classic!

W00t! Bailey scored a big bag o' prizes (and a lot of socks).

Naomi, opening a gift and practicing her best TV commercial smile. ;-)

Weary from opening presents, G rests on Mama's leg and contemplates his new "automoblox" cars (you can take them apart and put them back together in different ways, very cool).

Solstice Celebration

Some pixs from our Solistice Eve and Solstice Day. We were supposed to celebrate at the cabin, but G was up all night the night before we were planning to leave, so we stayed home instead. It was nice at home, too.

Bailey and Gabriel had some catching up to do (they haven't seen each other since the summer). It didn't take very long. ;-)

Bailey also had to meet Salt, our new puppy (10ish weeks old in his pix). That bond didn't take very long, either!

Opening windows in the Advent calendar is a family tradition. It is ever more fun this year because Gabriel knows the numbers.

Did I mention Salt?

Bailey in her winter hat (which she wore most of the day)!

Gabriel and Salt are having a Solstice snuggle. :-)

Noelani and Gabriel reading Knuffle Bunny, Too (the intriguing sequel to Knuffle Bunny).

Gabriel and Bailey helped each other open gifts.

Bailey unwrapping Witches & Wizards. She read it in 3 nights!

My gift to Bailey was "Bucky Balls". They were a big hit with everyone...

and a little bit of an obsession...

They say age 13+, but even Gabriel was digging them.

This is my wife, Martha Stewart Scotton. :-)

She and her assistants made these yummy Lemon Rosemary Shortbread cookies.

One of her assistants was flying high with excitement (and sugar?).

Then some dinosaurs came to visit, from Auntie Bri!

The Montana Cribbs hooked G up (no pun intended) with his first fishing rod.

And Bailey decided to do some Solstice body piercing!

There is much much more to tell, but I need to go Christmas shopping right now...

Holiday party

The full length view

Gabriel dressed up, too (he's wearing a necklace).

After the party...probably won't wear these heels for another year!

Smiles of the day (and a new family member!)