Slices of Christmas

There are a lot of things I want to remember about this Christmas. It's a pretty landmark year; my Georgia's first Christmas, our first New York City Christmas, and our first Christmas away from family--unless you count the Christmases on the mission, and somehow, those don't count.


I went to some decent effort to make Christmas magical for my family this year, like my mom used to for my family. We continued some family traditions and we started a couple new ones. Here are a few of the more enchanting memories from Christmas this year:

Making Christmas cookies

Watching Christmas movies

 Having the missionaries over for dinner a few days before Christmas 

(no photos of this, but I really enjoyed it and want to make it a Christmas week tradition)

Christmas eve dinner with friends

The Christmas nativity pageant (Amelia's angel costume)

My girls by the Christmas tree

And handmade gifts. I made this doll for my Amelia, 

and I couldn't have wished for a better reaction.

Love at first sight. "It's my special doll! I love it!"

I love you too Babydoll. Forever's like. 

Merry Christmas.

Christmas in Microcosm

There are so many emotions wrapped up in the events and festivities surrounding Christmas. I think Amelia experienced all of them when we took her to visit Santa Clause this year. 

Waiting in line: Joyful Anticipation

Expectant Excitement

Impatient Boredom

The moment arrives: Performance Insecurity

Over Attachment, Needing Validation

And finally, Post Christmas Let Down

All of that in just under an hour. No wonder the kid was exhausted when we got home. 

Memorializing

While we had guests in town recently we took the opportunity to visit the grounds of the 9/11 Memorial. The memorial buildings themselves are still under construction and the museum is not yet open, but there are two large fountains in the footprints of the Twin Towers with the names of the victims inscribed along the sides.  It really is a beautiful place and I think it's important for my family to take advantage of our close proximity to this historical spot and instill proper respect in my girls by visiting often.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

For the first time in I don't know how many years, and definitely the first time since we've been married, I have a live christmas tree this year.  I wish I could say we all went as a family to a charming christmas tree farm somewhere in upstate New York and chopped it down ourselves; that would be so quaint. 


But we didn't. 


We bought it out front of our local ghetto grocery store. But we did all go as a family to pick it out (though Missy G didn't give much of an opinion on the matter) and it smells great and it's so darn cute, perfect for our little apartment. 

This pic doesn't show the Christmas tree, but I just love it. My pretty baby and all the bright colors. 

See? Perfect fit in the one, tiny, empty nook in our apartment.

Georgie's contribution to the Christmas decorating party was to hold the traditional Tidwell family Christmas Lamb; a job that Amelia assigned to her, and she preformed admirably. 

Only $20 and because it's such a "dainty" tree, we didn't even have to strap it onto the top of the car (which is good, because we don't have one). Pete just carried it the block and a half home, holding it aloft like the statue of liberty. 


Best part? I don't have to store it when Christmas is over. That sells it all right there.

The Blessed Angel

(Doesn't that sound appropriately holiday-esque? I thought it was rather clever.)

Sunday, November 13th was Miss Georgia's blessing day. We choose that date because Pete's parents were here with us and we wanted to share the occasion with family. 


Pete gave Georgia a beautiful blessing (with no surprises about the name). Unfortunately, the babe fussed through the whole thing--which was uncharacteristic; she's a pretty mellow little girl. 


We took a few photos to commemorate the occasion, but I'm planning on having a professional photo shoot of Georgia in her blessing dress soon.  So those pictures should be forthcoming. In the meantime, here's my girl on her special day:

 Georgia with Mom and Dad. Amelia ran off to nursery as soon as the meeting ended--as she always does. 

With Grandma and Grandpa Tidwell.

And her proud Mama. Sorry for the goofy grin, I couldn't really help it. 

Bronxing at the Zoo

My Mother and Father-in-Law were in town  recently to meet the newest little tidbit and to enjoy the city. Pete took a couple of days off work and we decided to make good use of the family membership to all the zoos in New York City I bought by visiting the Bronx Zoo. 


Several of my friends advised me not to go; my baby was only about two weeks old and they said I should take advantage of having family in town so I could rest. But I didn't want to rest. I was antsy and ready to get out of the house, so I rebelled and went to the zoo anyway. Took Georgia with me too. 


I'm so glad I did.


The weather was perfect; I couldn't have asked for a lovelier day of sunshine and more breathtaking leaves.  And I took some stunning portraits of my family. Wouldn't have missed it for the world. 

Autumn in New York

Yes, it is a song. But it's also reality here, and it couldn't be more beautiful. I'll show you.

And this face. My girls make autumn in New York even more magical.