Christmas!

I took surprisingly few photos at Christmas - well actually, I took quite a lot, but just with whatever camera was near by, so I don't have many pictures.

Isla & I flew to NorCal on the 15th and enjoyed some quiet Gramma, Grandpa and Grauntie Didi time before the chaos began. Isla got her second haircut and was once again a champ.

We got the tree on Sunday - Isla jumped / fell in a Giant muddy puddle, but enjoyed the trip. April & Will arrived late Sunday and we decorated the tree on Monday. Isla was thrilled to see her Auntie April & Uncle Will and they asked her to be the flower girl in their wedding!
Isla & Uncle Will cooking up some cookies.
Isla & Uncle Will decorate the tree. Isla really loved spending time with Uncle Will this vacation.
On the 21st we took April out for a mini-shower. My mom, aunt, and April's best friend Naomi & her mom went out to tea and gave April some "mad money." Then we took her to a cooking store, amazing hardware / housewares store and lingerie store and encouraged her to spend the money. We finished the afternoon in at a wine bar to toast the bride-to-be. Prost!


Everyone arrived over the next few days (and Daddy arrived late Christmas Eve-Eve!) and Christmas was filled with amazing food, desserts, puzzles, presents, carols, walks, drinks, stockings and more. It was a wonderful holiday and Isla really loved every minute of it. She loved all the people and made sure that grace was said at every meal. "Grace! Say Grace!"

Christmas came in two waves, with visits from many many Graunties and Gruncles and Both sets of Great Grandparents.Isla received many special gifts, but two of the most special gifts came from her Great Grandparents. Isla's Great Grandpa Bill and Great Nanny Claire gave Isla a cow from Heifer Project International. Isla named him "Buhbuh" and decided he was a goat. Buhbuh and Isla have been inseparable since we got home and goes everywhere with Isla.

Isla's Great Grandpa Don and Great Grandma Helen made Isla a beautiful wooden doll cradle. She loves it and enjoys putting her own dolls in it and trying to sit and sleep in it. It is so beautiful and well made, that I have a feeling Isla's own great grandchildren will be sleeping in it.
Isla in her new apron made by Great Grandma Helen!


Opening a gift from her Great Grandparents!

The lovebirds snuggle up with their XXL love in their XXL snuggies.
Isla & Gr. Gr. Bill!
We planned to leave on Tuesday, but a BIG storm came in and after an hour or so at the airport we were sent home until Thursday morning. It was nice to have a little extra time to visit, relax and do puzzles and I think it helped Isla "come down" from the craziness by spending a little time at her grandparent's without a ton of people.

Isla is a happy camper at the airport. She is such a super traveler!
Isla - the Elf (you know, elves wear stockings on their hands and feet and diaper covers over their bums. Isla really liked wearing stockings.)
We got home and unpacked and unwound. On New Years Eve we drove out and bought fresh crab at a fish market. On New Years day Isla's best friend, Charlotte, came over with her parents and little sister and we had a crab fiesta (and pizza fondue!). It was a wonderful way to ring in the new year - with some of our favorite people, good food, and no hangovers! Isla and Charlotte loved catching up. Isla really missed all her buddies over Christmas.


I'll post a few more Christmas photos from my cousin soon.