So this is our first Christmas / Chanukah together as a family in our own house! I think that's pretty exciting. We are all really thrilled about being able to continue and create traditions revolving around the holidays. So far we've kinda fallen down on the whole lighting the menorah thing - we have done it once. Tonight will be twice, and I think it's the 5th night. We'll work on it! We have put up a Christmas tree though, and decorated it with lights. We have no ornaments, but that's cool -- the tree we got is working hard enough to hold up its own limbs; ornaments could be trouble. Sadly, I don't have any good full body shots of the tree; I've been too obsessed with being "artsy." Sorry about that!
I know you can't really tell, but that fuzzy glow behind Cole is our menorah burning brightly, delivering the Jews from darkness 5000 years ago:
November was great! The number one highlight was Thanksgiving in Long Beach NY. Cole was smothered in love and affection by Kate's family who had gathered from all over the place. It was great!
Cole has a great sense of karmic balance, so he dished out some love too. This is his version of kisses, with Kate's sister Hanna being the fortunate subject.
This is the scene at the illustrious Stein abode after the meal; you may be able to see Cole being bench pressed by who I believe is John, Kate's brother.
The next morning was chilly but beautiful. We walked across the street to the beach and enjoyed the sunny windy sand and soothing long beach surf.
More recently, it totally snowed last night! Enough to crawl around in if you're just about two feet tall and have a silly hat.
Sweet fancy bananas! We have been busy like bees doing all sorts of fun stuff. Don't worry, we took a few (thousand) pictures to show you guys what we've been up to. So sit back and grab a snack, there's a lot to review.
Kicking off the fun parade is Cole's birthday celebration. Our kid is officially one. That is nutso! And, a good reason to par-tay (insert crazy dance moves here).
Aunt Hanna swooped into town to boogie down with her favorite nephew. Unfortunately, she came down with THE PLAGUE en route to the festivities. She insisted on taking proper precautions. Safe, but sassy:
Cole got lots of gifts from his friends and family (thanks generous everybody!). At first he was all "rectangles? I love rectangles!"
But then he was all oohhhhhh, wrapping paper
Destruction! What a great gift!
But wait, there's more, it has a sweet candy center
It's escargot flavored, my favorite, nom nom nom
Escargot appetizer that is, because people, there was cake! Small cake really, of the cup variety. We drove all the way across town to get the best birthday treats in Boston for Cole's inaugural sweets. Lyndell's bakery, in a word, yum!
We were a little worried that once he'd tasted cake he'd never eat boring stuff like green beans again. So we were shocked (considering his double sweet toothed genes) when Cole wasn't entirely excited about the cupcake:
Still, Cole was mesmerized by candle fire
And intrigued
You talkin' to me?
Finger lickin' good
I crush the birthday cakelettes
Carnage
We capped off our birthday celebrations by visiting our favorite friends in the NICU
Hi Stacy, my primary pal! Let me just check your ID
Steve! My respiratory therapist, look how good I am at breathing, thanks for the tips!
Does this scale make me look fat?
No, kid, you look great!
Good times, good times. It was nice to visit my friends. Everybody was so smiley. What a happy day.
Speaking of smiles, we've been out and about doing lots of fun stuff like going to the playground.
Climbing on the jungle gym
Swinging on the swings
We went to the Newton Town Fair, mom and dad thought it would be fun. They ate cotton candy and corn dogs, and all I got was this lousy balloon
Boring much? Where's the fried dough, guys?
So, it's Fall in New England and state law practically requires us to do some seasonal activities. We headed north to Russell Orchards in Ipswich for some local type fun
We checked out the punkin patch
And made the acquaintance of the local residents
Oh, and there was doughnuts, hot homemade cider doughnuts
Which are not too shabby
Plus farm fresh produce, pears!
And finally just a coupla artsy close ups of the kid
Halloween is coming up, so we've been working on a costume. There's so many choices, and face it, Cole is adorable in everything. Here's a few we considered
Pooh! We liked this one because it had a built in pot belly (not that Cole needed any padding)
101 Dalmations? Cole was not amused
But, neither of these was the winner. What will Cole be on Halloween? you'll see....!
So yeah, year one? Check! We're hoping the next one will be a little less eventful. We kinda doubt it, though. Because there's so much to be excited about
