We decided to stay close to home this year for Christmas. While missing a lot of our family up north, getting up and having Addie enjoy Christmas in her own home was really special. This year we had Grammy Strong staying with us to enjoy the holiday. As the presents piled up around the tree, Addie’s curiosity increased until she started dragging a few gifts out Christmas Eve. The full unwrapping extravaganza was saved until Christmas Day though. She even took some mid-opening breaks to spend time with new treasures (boxes and paper, mostly) and also a few toys. She wasn’t content until the presents were fully opened right down to the packaging/caps/twist-ties. Whenever we tried to get her to move on to the next gift, she gave us a look, rubbed her belly and asked to “pease” finish unwrapping it.

After a great morning and a few Skype sessions at home, we headed out to the lake to see the rest of the local family. Addie had plenty of people to entertain her, giving her parents a pleasant afternoon of enjoying time with the rest of the family.

Fortunately, this year we avoided trips to the ER or infecting the entire northeast U.S. She did come down with a cold starting the 26th, but at least we all had a very Merry Christmas.

Here’s a few photos of the holiday:

Addie headed out with Mom and Dad and Grammy to meet Santa in the Hill Country. She was big talk while waiting in line, throwing around phrases like “Ho Ho!” and “danda” (Santa). It wasn’t until we got up close that her true colors came out. She was not excited at all about sitting on this old man’s lap. Had she had a little more time she might have eased into a more friendly encounter with him, but the snotty-nosed kids behind us were chomping at the bit so Addie left distressed that the big guy wasn’t as friendly as she talked him up to be. Maybe next year.

The cold weather really motivates Addie to pull out the stops and get her fashion on. This ensemble is fully accessorized and ready for a day on the town (or the sidewalk). Shout out to GAE for the knit sweater. It’s a big hit!

Walking with Fur Hat On from Ellen Strong on Vimeo.

It was a chilly day in Austin (low 40s!). That didn’t stop Addie from taking a cruise up and down the block pursuing some of her favorite activities:
1. getting the mail
2. spotting the moon
3. saying hi to passing cars
4. barking back at dogs
5. looking for the next-door cat
6. banging on the manhole covers
7. kicking the stones out of the neighbor’s landscaping
8. picking the neighbor’s flowers
9. trying to dodge dad and go into the street

Here’s a video clip that covers most of the above:

Afternoon walk from Steve Connor on Vimeo.

Fortunately, Addie’s rain jacket coordinated with her car seat. Phew!