From our family to yours...

we wish you a very Merry Christmas. Hoping you are surrounded by those that you love most!

'Tis the season

For finding our Christmas tree

and ensuring it's tied on tight

for cute little red noses and warm winter hats

for decorating the house

and trimming the tree

for hanging garland and outdoor lights

for starting new traditions

like naming "Harry" our elf

selected by Lexi after one of her favorite boys at preschool

(Thanks Uncle John and Aunt Kate)

and decorating gingerbread houses

(trying to sneak some icing was half the fun)

for running to the mailbox each day -

and being greeted by our friends and family

for holiday parties

and a school party too

and, yes, it's even the season for bad colds caught at the school party

With just a few days left on our advent calendars, we are getting more and more excited 

for the magic of Christmas and seeing it through your eyes, Alexis!

Cousins at Christmas

and sisters

and a beautiful, sweet, smart niece

Alexis can't wait to see you guys (and the puppy) on Christmas Day!

Santa Baby

'Tis the season for a visit to see jolly old St. Nick.
So off we went to the mall last week.
You told Santa you want a blueberry lollipop for Christmas.
(And, for good measure, you added a Mickey Mouse balloon and a bicycle to your list).
You talked about his reindeer and his white beard, you spotted the presents on his sleigh.
You touched his white gloves and his glasses.
And then, as soon as you saw the basket of candy canes, you wiggled right onto his lap.
"He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself."

Happy Birthday Daddy

Happy Birthday Daddy!

You make me smile, and I hope this video makes you smile.

With love,
Lexi

Gobble Gobble

Alexis,

Thanksgiving is your dad's very favorite holiday.

According to him, there is nothing better than a day that's all about family
(or maybe it's the food and football)  ;)
For the past several years, your mom and dad have hosted Turkey Day.
Sometimes it's the WHOLE family, and sometimes it's a smaller group.
This year, we were excited to be spending the day with the Hamilton side.

Everyone pitched in, and I think the day went exactly as we had hoped.

As for you, you talked for days about Henrietta, the turkey your preschool class made.
You reminded us that turkeys say Gobble, Gobble.

You asked me over and over to read your new book that tells the Thanksgiving story.
When I mentioned that Grandpa Tom was coming for the holiday, you said,
"Yes, Grandpa come here to see my pretty dress."

You helped me put flowers in the centerpiece and carefully carried it over to the table.

You loved sitting at the grown up table in the dining room.
You loved your first taste of cranberry sauce and cornbread.
You looked so pretty and so grown up in your velvet jumper from Nanny.

While we wait on your baby cousin to arrive, you soaked up all the attention.

And, you showed your father and I how much more wonderful, how much more special
the holiday season is with a toddler to share it with!
And for that, we are most thankful.

The view from here

The stomach bug hit our family over the weekend.
Not one of us escaped it.
And it hit at some pretty inconvenient times -
like while we were out to dinner in the city,
and also halfway through our drive to Uncle John's house.
So...instead of Lexi getting to enjoy a fun day with her Grandpa
while Vic and I watched the NY Giants win from these seats:

we had to enjoy the view from here instead:

Fingers crossed that we are on the road to recovery
and can get busy decorating our Christmas tree today.

And, a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY wish
goes out to our beloved Nanny!
Boy do we wish you were here yesterday
to give us all some of your special TLC.
We love you.

Time to trot

What better way to make some room for a Thanksgiving feast than with a 5 mile run?
This year, it was Vic who continued our tradition and took part in the Turkey Trot.
Tom, Lexi and I were there to cheer for him at the finish line.
And then we hurried home for turkey and all the trimmings!

Daddy!!

Three generations of Hamiltons

(Lexi, I think you have your Grandpa's lovely BLUE eyes) 

Thank you for the adorable hat Millie