As December finally winds down I think we're all feeling very blessed, very thankful...and a little tired.  At least I am.  We've had non-stop celebrating and present opening and company hosting and sweet eating and whew! It's been a lot of fun, but I'm looking forward to January!

It was a month of exciting and very memorable times, especially for Charlotte, and we know you want to see pictures - so...

We enjoyed 8 crazy and wonderful nights of Hanukkah - all but two were celebrated with other family or friends. Charlotte got good at saying the blessing and lighting candles, and she even got to light a couple by herself on the last night.  She appreciated the nightly celebration, especially (this will not surprise you) opening many wonderful gifts including toy dishes, new tights, an easel and materials for painting, and her first board game.

(mother's note: I have not been able to get her to wear pants since this photo 10 days ago!)

To make sure we didn't have any dull nights once Hanukkah was over we held Charlotte's 3rd birthday party with friends on Saturday the 19th.  Of course this was also the day we got a foot and a half of snow! Luckily many of the party invitees lived in the neighborhood and were able to strap on their snow boots and still come over for some of Charlotte's favorite things - macaroni and cheese, salad (with croutons!), orange juice and decorate your own cupcakes.

On her real birthday she put on another fancy party dress and took cupcakes to daycare, and then Grandma and Zadie joined us to celebrate with pizza, more salad with croutons and a (sort of) purple cake.

Namma and Papa called in for some "live via phone" present opening and there were other calls and cards and gifts from friends and family far and wide. 

Of course Hanukkah, birthday and Christmas presents just kept arriving via mail, UPS, and even friends from Decorah who drove out to visit relatives here in the DC area.  We let the fun continue nightly.  Why stop now!

The rest of the week brought even more fun and adventures for Charlotte including a visit to her day care from Santa Clause (who completely terrified her), a far more enjoyable overnight visit to celebrate Christmas with Grandma (with Blueberry pancakes and stockings in the morning!), and more present opening and dessert eating fun.

 All the while Amelia (or "second fiddle" as I took to calling her last week) just kept growing and smiling - pleased with the people and sights and sounds even if she wasn't aware of what it all meant.

We hope your holidays were filled with as much excitement and wonder - and maybe a little more peace - as ours.  See you in 2010!