Whoa, Santa!

This Christmas, we planned on having a low-key affair focused on enjoying some quality time as family. Well, Santa didn't get the memo.

I don't know what happened. Arlo must have learned how to work the Christmas system. Of course, we have explained the benefits of prioritizing one or two things to Arlo, and Ryan and I have also talked about planning future holidays around experiences rather than presents. Lesson learned.

Sigh...

With that said, the pictures and videos below summarize our wonderful but excessive Christmas. We missed our family and friends, but we hope everyone had a memorable and relaxing holiday!

Arlo was so excited about Santa's visit that he wished the big night would come already. To cope with the long wait, he played the blues on his harmonica.

Arlo went to Madison, WI, for a few days where he learned how to dance to the Nutcracker. Arlo's cousins, Lucy and Amelia, are not only talented ballet performers, but they were in the Madison Ballet's rendition of the holiday classic.

Ryan and Arlo enjoying a fully decked out Christmas House on our traditional Christmas Eve walk through Olympic Manor.

Christmas morning cinnamon rolls - yum!

Legos!

Arlo is just starting to figure out how to unwrap presents.

Now we have an official play room complete with little table and chairs,

a "Secret Garden" tent with toadstool pillow, a tunnel, and a basketball hoop (see Arlo's demo below).

Ryan and Arlo opening presents. So ridiculously cute.

A playroom that is now ready for action!

Decking the Halls

On the day after Thanksgiving, we have a tradition of getting our Christmas tree with our good friends, Amy and Byron. This year was the first year we had both of our kids in tow. We are looking forward to continuing the tradition as the kids grow up, but this year the parents had the most fun selecting the perfect tree.

I don't know what it is about a Christmas tree. Perhaps it's the fact that we load it up with twinkling lights during the darkest time of year. Maybe it's the familiar smell that you forget about until you get the tree in your house. Whatever it is, I love it. 

Now that Arlo is a toddler (how did that happen?!), we debated whether or not we should fully decorate the tree with ornaments. At the end of the day, we decided we could risk it if we exercised the right amount of caution. We put breakable ornaments up high, made sure there were no choking hazards within reach, and tied the tree to prevent it from falling over. I'm so glad we decorating the whole thing. It seems like a shame to pay money for a tree only to use part of it for its intended purpose.

Byron and Wyatt scoping the selection. 

Wyatt did a great job choosing his first Christmas tree!

 

Jack Frost nipped at our noses.

Arlo thought Ryan could use a little help getting the tree in the stand. 

 

Let the Nonerick family Christmas begin!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We enjoyed a fantastic Thanksgiving with good friends and good food. Wonder what a bunch of vegetarians do for a holiday centered on turkey?

The Main Course

Fake turkey sliced into discs make a perfect turkey with stuffing taco! De-lish! 

A Full Table = Excessively Full Bellies

We devoured Amy's sweet potatoes with ginger and orange juice, two types of stuffing (yes!), mashed potatoes, cranberry relish, a yummy salad and many more tasty treats. 

 

Wyatt was perfectly content after a wonderful meal.

Arlo, on the other hand, was so full he had to take off his pants. 

Buddies playing

I'm so sad that I only captured the last of what was an adorable moment of love between friends.