Christmas

We are sitting on the couch after Hadley's first Christmas, feeling all glowy and warm and thankful. She was a happy little celebrant--and even woke up extra-early this morning, which makes me wonder if it's just programmed into kids' DNA to rise with the sun on Christmas morning.

Jason assembling Hadley's wagon in the basement on Christmas Eve.

We played at home until after her morning nap, and then packed up--Hadley still in her pajamas because kids are supposed to wear their pajamas to open Christmas presents--and headed to Mumsie and Granddaddy's house. The house smelled like yummy things: egg casserole, the same recipe from my Aunt Pam that we eat every year; good coffee; a faint hint of Christmas cookies baked the night before. We dove into breakfast, while Hadley, perched in her high chair, chowed down on a banana in her mushy-food-net-thingy that totally grossed out Uncle Graham. It is kind of disgusting, but she loves it--and it captivates her attention long enough for us to sit down and eat a meal, so gross or no, we're keeping it.

Hadley wore her red bow from Mumsie because, as Mumsie says, Hadley is our present!

Graham and I stuffed stockings while Hadley crawled around and looked at us with great curiosity--and then found a present and pushed it around on the floor. Fun, fun, fun.

Hadley snuggled Graham on the couch.

We exchanged stocking gifts--a tremendous Masell tradition, thanks to our enormous stockings. Hadley's, which Mumsie made for her, was filled to the brim. (Ok, who am I kidding? They were all filled to the brim.) She got bows for her hair, beautiful egg ornaments that my Granny made decades ago, darling pink pants, other goodies--and SOCKS. In our eternal quest to find socks that will stay on Hadley's feet, Mumsie tracked down nearly every brand of baby socks in the Denver metro area. We'll do our due diligence and report back on what we discover.

Hadley sported her new SmartWool hat. The ducky pjs make the outfit, don't you think?

We opened our under-the-tree gifts, and Jason wins the award this year for the most clever and thoughtful--and funny. I adore a nearby ice cream/coffee/goodies shop called the Pajama Baking Company (which gets big points for a super-cute name), and the good folks there make a killer watermelon-mint sorbet in the summer. But last summer, every time we tried to go get some, watermelon-mint wasn't on the menu (which changes daily). So sad. So my smart husband ordered up a batch of watermelon-mint sorbet--1.5 gallons, which is the least he could order to get a custom-made batch. He said that the women at PBC seemed puzzled about why someone would order sorbet in the winter, but they're just missing out on one of life's simple joys.

(Jason would like me to mention that he didn't give only sorbet. He thinks my enthusiasm might hint that it was my only gift. It was not, but it sure was the biggest surprise...and the sweetest. Get it? Sweetest? Ha!)

Hadley and Graham snuggling some more...Nice expression, Uncle Graham.

Hadley played for a while with her new toys, and then she joined me for a nap--a joy we haven't indulged in lately because we've been working hard on persuading Hadley to take good, long naps alone (and she's getting better!). But what's a Christmas Day celebration without some good snuggling and an afternoon nap?

Hadley loves her new toy. Stand up, sit down, stand up, sit down. Play the music! Great fun!

Mumsie whipped up a delicious dinner, and we ate plenty. More than plenty. We toddled home, put Hadley to bed and now, here we are. Sandy, Al and Crystal will be here tomorrow night for more celebrating, but for now, we're just soaking up the quiet.

I often wish that I could have just one day when all the people I love are together in one room. One BIG room, filled with good food and good music and good cheer. I haven't figured out yet how to make that happen (save making Jason marry me all over again), so wherever you are, I hope that you're basking in the glow of peace and hope and people who love you.

Merry, merry Christmas!

Graham and his friend Noaa loved on Hadley.

Hadley and Daddy built a house. (Ok, Daddy built and Hadley knocked it down.) Great Grandpa Jack-Jack cheered them on.

Hadley tried out her wagon on our basement...and liked it.