The triumphant trifle

Cranberry Cognac Trifle It needed to be served with flair.

Our dinner menu Christmas Eve:

Bone in beef rib roast

Brussel sprouts with pancetta

Roasted root vegetables

Cottage cheese nut patties with shitake mushroom sour cream sauce

Scalloped potatoes

Garlic cheese rolls

Christmas Fun

Christmas starts early when the brothers give each other Golden Eye. Much carnage ensues.
Eleanor chooses art projects with Auntie Marcie (Pomi)...

Or general frivolity with Robyn and Dennis. She is wearing her favorite shirt of the season. She talks about Santa Claus bringing presents. When asked what she wants, she replies "Toys".

We head out to look at the neighbor's fabulous light display and try our hand at caroling.

Little G comes too.

For comparison's sake, this is me with Ellie when she was about 3 months old.

Here I am with Garrett, 3 months old.

Big G, Little G, what begins with G? Uncle Garrett, Baby Garrett, G, G, G.

The Christmas Eve dinner table is set. The tablecloth is my grandmother's, the place settings are Ian's grandmother's. The little imp by the piano is mine.

Garrett is dressed for the festivities in his tuxedo. All he needs is his gold chain.

Amah Robyn is helping Ellie get ready for the Christmas Eve party.

Robyn and Auntie Marcie after the poppers have been opened.

Little Garrett is enjoying the festivities in Baba Dennis' arms.

Pomi and Deedoot. It's a comedy show.

Kristie and Judd. Kristie is giving me a break so I can quickly eat some food.

Autumn is trying out a tribal look with Ellie's hair bands.

Christmas morning....look what Santa brought.

Ellie in full Christmas regalia trying out her new toy.

We need a break from all of the festivities. You are getting verrry sleeepy.

For my dear husband

Ian and Ellie relaxing to "Emmett Otter's Jug Band Christmas".

And to all a good night.

Thanksgiving pictures

Ellie helping with Thanksgiving prep in her rose-colored glasses

I can't believe I can't eat dinner with you guys

Ian carving the 29 pound turkey!!

Kristie and Autumn

Ooh, tablescape

Dessert table: Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake and Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream

Autumn and Ellie laughing. They had a great time playing with each other

Hugs...

We had a traditional Thanksgiving with mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, rustic herb stuffing, green bean casserole (Ian cannot have a holiday without it), and an 29 pound turkey!! No, we didn't order one that big but apparently the farm from which we got the bird (local farm, the killed it Wednesday morning and brought it to us) was growing extra big birds this year.

Thanksgiving Mayhem

The kids played this game for at least 45 minutes. No spills, no crashes and wonderful viewing for the parents and grandparents.

Visit from Cousin Lilly, Auntie Becca, Amah Mar and Baba Mike

Ellie is taking after her mother in her accessorizing ability
Ellie and Amah Mar. She and Lillian would stand at the top of the stairs at the guardrail and say "Amah Mar, Amah Mar". She was a very popular grandma.

The siren song of Sesame Street

Ooh, cousin, I love you

Lillian leading the hand holding

Bear hugs

Baba Mike, I love you. He had a great time playing with the girls and was sporting some mighty fine ladybug antennae, but he managed not to get caught on camera with them on his head.

Ellie is participating in the "Hat Stacking" contest on Sesame Street. She has her perennial "Nana, juice" that she has in the mornings.

Mommy's Little Monster

Garrett is sporting his 6 month onesie! He's growing like a madman This way...

No that way...

No this way...

I'm just plain cute

Mugging for the camera

Show me sassy

Wacky shades
Sporty shades

My sweet girl